Author: Sarah Avery

Forest of Dean District Launch

We hosted our first in person district event on Friday 5th May at Harts Barn in the Forest of Dean. It was a great success and as you can see from the photos, we had a great turn out of enthusiastic stakeholders, all united in the desire to support, enhance and maximise opportunities for all the communities of the Forest of Dean.

The morning gave the opportunity for a reflection of the journey to date by the Forest Voluntary Action Forum, a celebration of what a community growing project can provide to its community through Beki at Blakeney Hill Growers and an update on where the Climate Emergency strategy for the district is. What was clear throughout the morning is the food is the golden thread that ties some many pieces together. We also heard from Jenny Salter, Gloucestershire’s Sustainable Food Places coordinator about the exciting plans and initiatives that everyone can be part of from the Council, organisations, and individuals.

The morning was rounded off with a delicious lunch cooked by Joe at Harts Barn, showcasing some of the fantastic food producers from the region.

Three main areas that came out the discussion at the event were:

  • A desire for more join up:
  • Who is doing what and where?
  • Food distribution, availability and surplus
  • Digital inclusion
  • Youth Interaction and engagement

We will work with our members and partners in the Forest of Dean and the County to explore these areas further and they will drive our work in the Forest of Dean going forward.

Cotswold District Launch

On the 22nd June we had our sixth and final district launch and that was in Northleach at the Westwoods Centre for the Cotswold District. We had great representation across sector and conversations were so engrossed we ran late! We heard from Ed Bonn from the GREAT project about a new Zero Dig growing project in Cirencester, along with Anton providing an insightful look into the work the South Cotswold District Food bank is focusing on. We heard from the Cotswolds’ first food pantry, and we also had updates from the District Council.

This event was a platform for input and thoughts around a ‘Cotswold Food Network’ and what this could provide for the area. We will be pulling together the ideas, thoughts and aspirations in the coming weeks which will influence our journey ahead in the region.

As always food was a key theme of the day and following a decadent chocolate cake to get us going on arrival the team from the Long Table produced a wholesome and very tasty lunch for us all.

Both Debs and I reflected that we were sad to see the end of this series of in person events as each one has been inspiring and very insightful, most of all it has been a pleasure to meet so many passionate and motivate individuals all wanting to work together to strengthen our region’s food equity.

Worrying About Money Leaflets

Following on from the successful leaflet for Stroud and The Cotswolds, Feeding Gloucestershire worked with IFAN to produce a ‘Worrying About Money’ leaflet for each of the districts in our County, these leaflets are now printed and distributed across the county and are available online through the IFAN website.

Feeding Gloucestershire coordinated with IFAN and the Trussell Trust and delivered 2 online training workshops in July 2023. A recording of the online workshop is available here.

To see the leaflet for your district please click below

Cheltenham

Forest of Dean

Gloucester

Stroud and Cotswolds

Tewkesbury Borough

To learn more about ‘Worrying About Money’ leaflets or our other work on financial inclusion and support please get in touch.

Newent Initiative Trust

Community Café and Youth Club
Community Café – Serves drinks and snacks including toast and toasties
Youth Club – Feeds youth once a week a meal i.e. pasta, which they have the opportunity to help prepare and sauce/educates youth about nutrition and healthy eating
GCC/HAF – Runs Food based activities

Address: 36 Broad Street Newent GL18 1AJ

https://newentinitiativetrust.co.uk/
newentcc@gmail.com
01531 820245/07581312585

 

FCH Edible Garden

FCH Edible Garden is a green space where students and members of the local community come together to grow fruit and vegetables.

Weekly gardening sessions provide time for people to connect with each other and the natural world.

Opening Days: Not listed
Opening Times: Not listed

Charging Basis: Free

Contact Details

The University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall Campus, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ
fchediblegarden@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/EdibleGardenFCH/

Hungry No More

You don’t need a referral to access food support at HNM, you can self-refer.

We also offer support through signposting to other agencies who can offer help.

Geographic Area: Churchdown, Innsworth, Longlevens, Longford

Opening Days: Thursday
Opening Times: 11am - 12pm

Contact Details

GL3 Community Hub, Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown GL3 1HX
innsworthhungrynomore@yahoo.com
07824043895
07721804051
www.facebook.com/100069732735268/
Collection Service
Ambient Food Items
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
Suitable for Vegetarians
Suitable for Vegans
Dairy-Free Available
Gluten-Free Available
Toiletries