TED TALK: Pam Warhurst- How we can eat our landscapes

Summary

This inspiring video script highlights a grassroots movement in Todmorden, a market town in northern England, where a community-driven initiative called 'Incredible Edible' is transforming public spaces into edible landscapes. From community gardens to partnerships with local schools and businesses, the project fosters resilience, local food production, and economic growth through small, sustainable actions. The movement encourages individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and incomes to take personal responsibility for the environment and their local economy, proving that small actions can lead to significant change and inspire a global movement towards kindness and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Toman, a small market town in Northern England, started a community-driven revolution focused on local food and sustainability.
• 😀 The movement emphasizes the power of small actions to create big changes, showing that even modest efforts can make a significant impact.
• 😀 The central idea of the movement is that food can act as a unifying language across age, income, and culture, helping people connect and collaborate.
• 😀 The concept of 'vegetable tourism' was created, attracting people from around the world to explore the town’s public food initiatives, even when there’s little growing.
• 😀 The town’s initiative began with simple projects like a seed swap and transformed public spaces into edible gardens, engaging the community.
• 😀 The Incredible Edible movement was formed by a group of volunteers who worked without official reports or funding, driven by a belief in action over permission.
• 😀 The movement encourages a holistic approach, with three main 'plates'—community, learning, and business—working together to create a sustainable, resilient environment.
• 😀 Toman’s success has inspired other communities across England and around the world, including in the U.S., Japan, and New Zealand, showing that the model is replicable.
• 😀 The initiative is not about grand strategies or funding, but about rethinking how communities interact with resources and the environment, and acting on those ideas.
• 😀 Local governments and businesses are now increasingly supporting these efforts, with one local authority making 'Incredible Edible' a key part of its planning for public spaces.
• 😀 The movement promotes food education, encouraging schools to incorporate agriculture and environmental responsibility into their curriculum to shape future generations.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind the community-driven movement in Todmorden?

The main idea behind the movement in Todmorden is to transform the town through local, food-centered actions that promote sustainability, community engagement, and positive environmental impact. It focuses on growing edible plants in public spaces and fostering a sense of shared responsibility among residents.

What is 'vegetable tourism,' and how does it contribute to the community?

'Vegetable tourism' is the concept of attracting visitors from around the world to explore the community’s edible gardens and raised beds. It not only boosts local interest in food and sustainability but also serves as a way to engage people with the town’s initiatives and foster conversations about food security and local resilience.

How does the initiative address issues of community involvement across different age groups and backgrounds?

The initiative uses food as a unifying language, engaging people of all ages, income levels, and cultures. Through actions like community gardens, educational projects, and local food markets, it encourages everyone to contribute, learn, and support the movement, thus creating a diverse and inclusive sense of community.

What role does food play in the initiative's approach to social change?

Food acts as the central medium through which the community reconnects with each other and the environment. It serves not only as a resource for physical nourishment but also as a tool for social interaction, education, and empowerment, helping people take personal responsibility for their local environment.

How was the 'Incredible Edible' concept developed, and what does it entail?

The 'Incredible Edible' concept was developed by a small group of volunteers who gathered around a kitchen table. It involves a community-driven approach where residents transform public spaces into edible landscapes, grow their own food, and build local resilience through collaboration and shared knowledge.

What is the significance of the three plates model: Community, Learning, and Business?

The three plates model emphasizes a holistic approach to community development. The 'Community Plate' focuses on how people live and interact, the 'Learning Plate' involves teaching new skills and promoting education, and the 'Business Plate' highlights supporting local businesses and strengthening the local economy through conscious purchasing decisions.

What impact has the Incredible Edible movement had on local businesses and economy?

The movement has positively impacted local businesses by encouraging people to buy locally. Initiatives like the 'Every Egg Matters' campaign helped boost sales of local products, with many farmers increasing their production to meet the growing demand. Local traders have reported increased sales, demonstrating the economic benefits of supporting local food systems.

How has the Todmorden community involved local schools in the food initiative?

Todmorden’s high school has partnered with the community to create an aquaponics unit and teach agriculture, fostering hands-on learning. Students are involved in building the aquaponics system and have a chance to gain qualifications in horticulture, thus preparing the next generation of farmers and food producers.

What is the 'Incredible Edible Green Route,' and how does it aim to change people’s behavior?

The 'Incredible Edible Green Route' is an exhibition of edible gardens, friendly sites, and local food producers scattered across Todmorden. It encourages people to walk through the town in a way that changes their behavior, shifting their focus from supermarkets to local, sustainable food sources, and creating an awareness of the town’s edible landscape.

Can the Todmorden model be replicated in other places, and how has it expanded?

Yes, the Todmorden model is replicable, and over 30 towns in England have adopted similar initiatives. Additionally, communities in places like America, Japan, and New Zealand have taken inspiration from the model, integrating local food initiatives into their own post-crisis rebuilding efforts, showing that this approach can work globally.