Regional Networking Events for Community Food Initiatives

Below is an outline of our recent Regional Events for Community Food Initiatives (CFIs). HFfA links in with CFIs and provides them with support and resources, links them in with a national network of CFIs and continues to raise awareness about food poverty at a national policy level. If you would like further information on the workshops, please contact Sarah Jane Flaherty at sjflaherty@healthyfoodforall.com.

 

Regional Workshop on CFI’s at Glen Road Community Centre, Belfast - 18th April 2012

Healthy Food for All (HFfA) ran its third workshop on Community Food Initiatives in conjunction with the Suffolk and Lenadoon Community Gardens at Glen Road Community Centre, Belfast on 18th April. Caroline Murphy of Suffolk Community Garden gave a presentation on the outstanding work that is being carried out by the local community in transforming the space into a fantastic horticulture garden, complete with hens and bees! The group have been incredibly creative and inventive by using unwanted and recycled materials in creating their community garden. It is a wonderful resource for the local community. For further information, please contact Caroline at caroline@suffolkcommunityforum.org.uk

Tommy O’Reilly of Glen Road Community Centre gave participants a tour of the Lenadoon Community Garden . The garden is a wonderful example of how a small space outside a community centre can be transformed into a growing space for fresh fruit and vegetables. The Lenadoon and Suffolk communities are working together across both gardens to improve access to affordable food of good quality for the local residents. For further information, please contact Tommy at OReillyT@BelfastCity.gov.uk

There were presentations in the afternoon from CFIs throughout Belfast. Footprints Women’s Centre presented on their work in the Colin Community, Belfast, where they are busy working on their community garden at the centre and growing fresh fruit & vegetables in the homes of local residents. Produce from the community garden is used in the Footprints Women’s Centre Café and Catering Services. Cook It! presented on the work being carried out with local community groups in Outer West Belfast. Cook It! is a practical cookery course which helps people to improve their cooking skills, explore healthy eating and how to cook healthy meals on a budget.

 

Breakout sessions were facilitated on the following topics: Setting Up your Community Food Initiative; Accessing Resources for your Community Food Initiative and Engaging With Your Local Community. We also held a Networking Market Place where participants shared and gathered learning on various types of CFIs. Feedback on the day was very positive, with many participants feeling inspired and motivated by the work being done by local projects. We look forward to our next event in Mountmellick on 10th May.

 

Regional Workshop on CFI’s at Ballybeg Community Garden, Waterford – 21st February 2012

Healthy Food for All (HFfA) ran its second workshop on Community Food Initiatives in conjunction with Ballybeg Community Garden at Ballybeg Parish Centre, Waterford on 21st February. Liz Riches and Séan O’Driscoll of Ballybeg Horticulture Initiative gave a presentation on the outstanding work that is being carried out by the local community in transforming the unused space into a fantastic horticulture garden. The Community Garden gives people an opportunity to work together, to share skills, swap seeds and provide fresh healthy food to their family and neighbours. It is a wonderful resource for the local community, and it was a truly inspiring experience for all participants. For further information please contact Séan on horticulture@ballybegcdp.ie or visit the website.

There were presentations in the afternoon from CFIs throughout the South East. Food Focus presented on their work in Knocknaheeny, Cork where they are in the process of developing a community garden and are supporting their local community to grow and cook their own food. Cook It! presented on the work being carried out with local community groups in Kilkenny. Cook It! Is a practical cookery course which helps people to improve their cooking skills, explore healthy eating and how to cook healthy meals on a budget.

Breakout sessions were facilitated on the following topics: Planning and Managing your Community Food Initiative; Accessing Resources for your Community Food Initiative and Engaging With Your Local Community. We also held a Networking Market Place where participants shared and gathered learning on various types of CFIs. There was much positivity and enthusiasm throughout the day and many left feeling inspired by Ballybeg Community Garden and the work being done by the various community projects represented.

 

Regional Workshop on CFI’s at the Reco, Ballymun, Dublin – 15th December 2011

HFfA was delighted to run its first workshop at The Reco in Ballymun with wonderful support (and food!) from Eimear and Roger and all The Reco staff. The aim of the day was to increase people’s knowledge about CFI’s through shared learning and to provide an opportunity to meet those working in other community food projects. For more information please contact Eimear Whitfield  at bryrew@eircom.net.

We had some really interesting presentations on a range of CFI’s throughout Dublin, highlighting some of the wonderful and innovative work being done. Breakout sessions were facilitated on the following topics: Planning and Managing your Community Food Initiative; Accessing Resources for your Community Food Initaitive and Engaging With Your Local Community. We also held a Networking Market Place where participants shared and gathered learning on various types of CFIs.

We want to thank all those who came along and who were so enthusiastic and highly participative for the whole day. We had some excellent feedback from the event with many participants making new contacts and taking learning points back to their own projects.  We are already looking forward to the next workshop in Waterford on 21st Feb.