How we can eat our landscapes | Pam Warhurst

Summary

The Incredible Edible movement in Todmorden, England, uses food as a unifying force to foster community resilience, sustainability, and local economic growth. What began with simple projects like transforming neglected spaces into edible landscapes has grown into a global movement, encouraging people of all backgrounds to engage with their environment. By focusing on the 'community plate', 'learning plate', and 'business plate', the initiative promotes self-sufficiency, creativity, and kindness. The movement highlights the power of small actions and demonstrates that grassroots efforts can inspire larger societal change, impacting both local communities and global attitudes towards food and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Incredible Edible movement started in Todmorden, England, aiming to empower communities through local food systems and sustainable practices.
• 🌱 By focusing on three essential 'plates'—community, learning, and business—locals began transforming their town into an edible landscape.
• 🍏 The movement highlights the power of small actions, such as planting herbs and vegetables in public spaces, to foster change in the community.
• 🍅 Community engagement is central to the movement, encouraging everyone to take part in growing, sharing, and learning about food.
• 🌍 Incredible Edible has expanded beyond Todmorden, with over 30 towns in the UK and communities across the world adopting the model.
• 🚶‍♂️ A unique initiative called 'vegetable tourism' invites people to explore the edible landscapes, promoting awareness and action.
• 🍽 The movement uses food as a unifying language, helping people of all ages and backgrounds connect and work together for positive change.
• 🌿 The local economy has been positively impacted by the movement, with campaigns like 'Every Egg Matters' boosting support for local producers.
• 📚 Schools and young people are integral to the movement, learning agricultural skills and building projects like aquaponics systems.
• 💡 The movement is based on simple, low-budget initiatives that don't rely on bureaucracy or large-scale funding but instead focus on creativity and community spirit.
• 🌾 The Incredible Edible model shows that by reimagining public spaces and promoting local food production, communities can become more sustainable, resilient, and kind.

Q & A

What is the core idea behind the community food initiatives in Toman?

The core idea is to create a more resilient and sustainable community by using food as a unifying language. The town focuses on local food production, community empowerment, and education to foster self-sufficiency and support local economies.

How does the concept of 'three plates' help organize the community's food-related actions?

'Three plates' is a model that divides community life into three areas: community actions, learning (education and skills sharing), and business (supporting local producers). By balancing and integrating these areas, the community aims to create a more sustainable and connected local food system.

What role does food play in fostering community engagement in Toman?

Food serves as a powerful tool for connecting people across age, income, and culture. By engaging in food-related activities like gardening and supporting local markets, people are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their environment and work together for positive change.

How did the town's vegetable tourism initiative start and what does it involve?

Vegetable tourism started as a way to engage people with the town’s local food system. People visit the town to explore food-growing spaces, even when not much is growing, sparking conversations and promoting local food practices. It's a way to showcase food as a community asset.

How does the local school contribute to the food movement in Toman?

The local school partnered with the community to build an aquaponics unit, where students help grow both fish and vegetables. The school also teaches agriculture, inspiring students to pursue careers in sustainable food practices and creating new opportunities for local job training.

What is the significance of 'Incredible Edible' green routes in Toman?

The 'Incredible Edible' green route is a network of exhibition gardens, edible landscapes, and bee-friendly sites throughout the town. It encourages local food education and environmental awareness by guiding visitors through these spaces while supporting local businesses along the way.

How did the community’s involvement in food production impact local markets?

The community's efforts increased demand for local produce, leading to greater sales in local markets. Through initiatives like the 'Every Egg Matters' campaign, the town created a map of local egg producers, which boosted the local economy and encouraged farmers to expand their operations.

What role do volunteers play in the Toman food initiatives?

Volunteers are at the heart of the initiatives in Toman. They lead projects like garden design, community events, and market activities. Their work is driven by passion and a desire to make meaningful changes in their community without relying on large budgets or formal plans.

What impact has the 'Incredible Edible' movement had beyond Toman?

The 'Incredible Edible' movement has spread to over 30 towns in England and to other countries like Japan, the U.S., and New Zealand. It has inspired communities worldwide to incorporate food sovereignty and sustainability into their local practices, especially following events like the Christchurch earthquake.

What is the role of local government in supporting these food initiatives?

The local government has supported these initiatives by creating policies that facilitate food-growing activities. For example, they’ve set up an asset register for unused land that communities can use for food production and encouraged their workforce to help maintain these spaces, thereby mainstreaming the movement.