People interested in finding out more about community food growing initiatives, sustainable living and schemes aimed at improving health and wellbeing, are encouraged to join a free interactive and engaging event in Workington.
The “Green 2 Grow” event which is organised by Cumberland Council and Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC), is open to anyone, and will focus on the interactions between food, people and nature.
There will be an opportunity to hear from guest speakers about local and national initiatives, as well as speak with stall holders about schemes in the local area.
Among the guest speakers are Andrea McGibbon from Sustainable Food Places, John Irwin from the National Allotment Society, Adam Day from The Farmer Network and Nick Lancaster from Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership’s Low Carbon Food Programme.
The event is being held at Energus at Lillyhall on Tuesday 31 October 2023 between 9:15am and 4:30pm. Attendees can come along to part of the event if they cannot make the whole day. Lunch will also be provided.
To sign up go to the Eventbrite website or, for those without internet access, ring the council on 01228 817581 and ask for Emma Mackie.
The event will also see the launch of Cumberland Council’s Food Cumberland Strategic Framework which sets out how the council will address some of the issues related to food, health and the environment.
Councillor Lisa Brown, Deputy Leader with responsibility for Governance and Thriving Communities, said: “I’d encourage everyone who is interested to come along to our Green 2 Grow event and find out more. We have a fantastic range of speakers and people from a number of different organisations who are really keen to share ideas.
“Improving access to good quality and healthy food for everyone has been a central ambition of Cumberland Council from the very start when we agreed a Right to Food motion in 2022. We also want to help tackle many other food related issues, like food insecurity, as well as encouraging the more sustainable production of food and creating new well-paid jobs in the industry. I look forward to meeting with people to discuss how this can happen.”
Mary Bradley, Chair of CALC, added: “Parish and town councils make a significant contribution to health and well-being in their communities by encouraging local growing initiatives and support towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Many town and parish councils also provide play areas and activity spaces alongside promoting the use of the natural environment and local walks. This event is an opportunity to share and learn with each other.”
Funding for the event has been made available from the Allerdale Geological Disposal Facility Community Partnership.