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  1. What we do
  2. Greenspaces and...
  3. Food Growing

Food Growing

More and more people in Scotland want to grow their own fruit and vegetables but land availability is a big challenge. greenspace scotland champions the development of the Our Growing Community model to support communities in urban scotland to take a more holistic and strategic approach to community food growing.

In 2017, the greenspace use and attitude survey asked Scots about growing your own fruit and vegetables. Just under a quarter (24%) of respondents grow their own; a decrease from 32% in 2011. Conversely, there was an increase in growing from respondents living in the 15% more deprived areas (20% grow their own in 2017, compared to 14% in 2011).

Most people (87%) who grow their own do it in their own garden; with 7% growing in an allotment and 2% in community gardens. Half of respondents (50%) who do not currently grow their own would like to do so. Lack of a garden is cited as the main barrier (44%), followed by lack of gardening skills (32%), don’t have time (26%) and can’t get an allotment (14%).

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 requires each local authority to prepare a food-growing strategy for its area to identify land that may be used as allotment sites, identify other areas of land that could be used for community growing, and describe how the authority intends to increase provision for community growing, in particular in areas which experience socio-economic disadvantage. greenspace scotland has supported the initial stages of developing a Local Food Growing Strategy (LFGS) in six Scottish local authority areas and produced a series of learning notes based on this work.

Food Growing Publications

Food Growing Publications

Find publications here to support groups and individuals interested in food growing, including the Our Growing Community map and guidance notes. Read more

Published: 18th April, 2018

Updated: 8th November, 2018

Author: Ian Goodman

Food Growing Projects

Food Growing Projects

Read about our work with local authorities on developing Local Food Growing Strategies and download the learning notes Read more

Published: 10th April, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2019

Author: Ian Goodman

Food Growing Case Studies

Food Growing Case Studies

Explore some case studies from previous projects, including the lovely Edible Twechar map and GrowClacks. Read more

Published: 9th April, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2019

Author: Ian Goodman

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Latest

  • Dundee's greenspaces are getting greener!

    Dundee's greenspaces are getting greener!

    Our July project of the month explores what ‘naturalising’ parks and grassland looks like in Dundee

  • Growing Food Together Fund opens - apply now

    Growing Food Together Fund opens - apply now

    Community growing projects from across Scotland invited to apply -closes 8 August.

  • Introducing our Remembering Together artists and creative practitioners

    Introducing our Remembering Together artists and creative practitioners

    Remembering Together, Scotland’s Covid Community Memorial Programme, is now underway across the country with artists and creative practitioners appointed in 27 local authority areas, from Aberdeen to South Lanarkshire.

  • Food growing in public spaces campaign

    Food growing in public spaces campaign

    Incredible Edible, a network of more than 150 community growing groups, has drawn up plans to oblige local authorities to keep a register of public land suitable for vegetable and fruit-growing, which local groups could apply to access.

Most read

  • Tesco Community Grants

    Tesco Community Grants

    Funding for local projects in Scotland, England and Wales that benefit their community, focus on food or helping children and families. Apply now for funding up to £1500.

  • What is greenspace?

    What is greenspace?

    Greenspaces are the 'green lungs' of our towns and cities which contribute to improving people's physical and mental health by providing places for informal recreation and 'breathing spaces' to take time out from the stresses of modern life.

  • Other funding sources

    Other funding sources

    There are lots of grant and funding programmes that can support greenspace and park projects, activities and events. Thinking about the impact or benefits of your project might help you identify other funding opportunities too.

  • Greenspace map

    Greenspace map

    The greenspace map developed with Ordnance Survey provides information about the location and type of all of Scotland's greenspaces.

  • Silverburn Flax Mill

    Silverburn Flax Mill

    Crowdfunding appeal to support a major community-led initiative for wellbeing, enterprise and employment, benefiting the people of Levenmouth and beyond. The B-listed former Flax Mill building will be brought back to life, creating a sustainable and iconic centre piece for Silverburn Park.

  • Ebulletin

    Ebulletin

    Our free, monthly e-bulletin includes local, national and international greenspace-related news, as well as the latest information from greenspace scotland and our members.

  • Green Heat in Greenspaces (GHiGs)

    Green Heat in Greenspaces (GHiGs)

    Background and outputs from the Green Heat In Greenspaces (GHiGs) project for Scotland

  • Our story

    Our story

    Since 2002, greenspace scotland has provided a national lead on greenspace, working towards our goal that everyone living and working in urban Scotland has easy access to quality greenspace which meets local needs and improves their quality of life.

  • Statistics

    Statistics about the size and importance of greenspace across Scotland.

  • How we work

    How we work

    We provide a national lead for action on parks and greenspaces. Working in partnership we pioneer new approaches to managing and resourcing greenspace.

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greenspace scotland is a registered Scottish Charity (No SC034078) and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland (No 236105)

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