Food and Local Growing
There are community gardens and growing projects, and community run allotments across Ayrshire – using the sites and networks below, but also a quick online search, will help you find a project or space near you to get involved in!
If you already are part of a growing project these organisations can offer support for you.
Get Growing Scotland are Scotland’s hub for growing food together who inspire, connect, and share knowledge with everyone interested in growing food and building happier, healthier, and more resilient communities for the future. They offer a free advisory service for anyone looking to start or grow more food with others in their community.
Socials Farms and Gardens are a UK wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together; supporting organisations offering nature-based community activities. Membership is free.
The Incredible Edible Network work to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food. Use their website to find (or get help to start!) a local group, or just to access their resources on local food and community resilience.
Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society promote the health, financial and environmental benefits of allotments and community growing and provide information and support to members. Their membership includes existing and prospective plot holders, community gardeners, allotment associations and regional allotment forums and open to anyone with an interest in community growing.
Reducing Food Waste is a simple way everyone can get involved in taking positive steps for climate.
The Love Food Hate Waste site has loads of simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home and Zero Waste Scotland have developed a free 15-minute course to help people tackle food waste and protect the planet.
Here at the Ayrshire Climate Hub, many of our delivery partners focus on delivering sustainable growing and food projects in their local area. Look out for Radio City Association working in the Garnock Valley who are establishing a Climate Cafe, provide cooking and food awareness lessons, and run a local growing and tree planting programme. Organic Growers of Fairlie are a sustainable community garden in North Ayrshire who grow for themselves and the community, and Arran Pioneer Project run land-based skills workshops and events that build skills in growing fresh produce for the community and environmentally friendly land management practices.
Find out about some of the local authority strategies for food and growing, and other food work and growing initiatives in Ayrshire:
North Ayrshire Food Growing Strategy which includes a list of allotments in North Ayrshire.
North Ayrshire Green Health Partnership information on community gardens, gardening and conservation groups, and growing at home.
Info on local authority food waste recycling in North Ayrshire
Living Well East Ayrshire’s ‘Eating Well’ pages have info on accessing food, growing your own and cooking with a focus on saving money and the planet while improving your diet and health.
East Ayrshire Council have lots of information available on East Ayrshire Food Provision and a Food Waste Advice page with information on reducing waste, home composting, and The Clean Green Eco Cookbook