The global food production and distribution systems on which Bristol relies are utterly dependent on oil. For every calorie of food energy delivered, 7-10 calories of fossil fuels are used to produce it. According to a July 2008 government report, the transportation of food alone accounts for a third of the 20.6 million tonnes of oil used in the UK food chain each year. Any interruption in food supply or an increase in cost risks devastating consequences.
Options include farming methods which build soil fertility and don’t rely on pesticides and artificial fertiliser; protection of productive farmland on the outskirts of the city; promotion of more seasonal food from more localised producers; a switch to a less meat-based diet; encouraging people to grow their own food in private gardens, community gardens and allotments; and even using some public space to produce food.
See full section on Food
local Food - local Links:
- Allotments
www.bristol.gov.uk/allotments
- Avon Organic Group (AOG)
Set up in 1984, a local group in Bristol promoting organic gardening and organic foods.
www.avonorganicgroup.org.uk
- Bristol Food Hub
Bristol Food Hub is a small not-for-profit organisation working to help communities in Bristol encouraging a people and planet friendly food culture.
www.bristolfoodhub.org
- Bristol Local Food Directory
Bristol Friends of the Earth local food guide.
www.bristollocalfood.co.uk
- Community Orchards
Here are links to just a couple of community orchards in Bristol:
Horfield Community Orchard:
www.avonorganicgroup.org.uk
Metford Road Community Orchard:
www.sustainableredland.org.uk/about-the-group
- Eastside Roots
Community gardening hub for Easton
www.eastsideroots.org.uk
- Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
With its head office in Bristol, it supports, represents and promotes community-managed farms and gardens across the United Kingdom.
www.farmgarden.org.uk
- Gardenshare
Match people who would like to grow plants and vegetables but don't have the space, with those who lack the time, ability or motivation to use their gardens.
http://gardensharebristol.blogspot.com
- Green Footprints
Green Footprints was created to serve residents of Knowle West, Bristol, and participants of the Carbon Makeover project.
www.green-footprints.org.uk
- Grofun
Growing Real Organic Food in Urban Neighbourhoods
www.grofun.org.uk
- Hartcliffe Health and Environment Action Group
"Plot to Plate" Food Projects
www.hheag.org.uk
- Russell Town Avenue Community Allotment (RTACA)
The award winning community allotment
http://sites.google.com/site/rtacommunityallotment/
- The Soil Association
UK's main organic certifier, based in Bristol
www.soilassociation.org
- Making Local Food Work
Whether you are a producer looking for local outlets for your food, a representative of a community group looking to get involved or somebody looking for places to buy local food near you, you will find the information you're looking for here.
www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk
