London’s first edible walking route puts Clapham food on the map

Incredible Edible Lambeth

Contact: Susan Sheehan, suesheehangcc@gmail.com 07961 342247

UK food pioneers Incredible Edible Lambeth have joined Bristol, Todmorden and Greater Manchester by producing a map of Clapham’s sustainable food projects.

Created by the community itself, the map shows visitors and locals alike, where their local community food projects are, depicted in amazing watercolour by local artist Lis Watkins.

The map features 24 projects in total ranging from Clapham’s largest food growing project, Bandstand Beds in the middle of Clapham Common, to the Fire Station where the local service has recently added the Clapham site to an increasing number of edible fire stations across London.

Three Clapham who schools putting growing and eating local food at the heart of their curriculum are on the map, as well as an increasing number of local food businesses on the High Street, including the destination Venn Street Market, the micro greens grown beneath shoppers feet in the disused tunnels of TFL by Growing Underground.

This is an edible map for everyone to enjoy, from restauranteur to budding chef, from shopper to vegetable tourist.

Pam Warhurst , founder of Incredible Edible, the movement that inspired this route, said

“Mapping is a great way to great to link with all the good stuff that's already going on around local food and celebrate the power of small actions. The inspiration of linking everyone interested in local food together through this mapping exercise has created a great buzz around the place and huge opportunities for everyone to benefit”.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Images

A copy of the map is available in pdf format by contacting Susan Sheehan on the email address above. Some of the images can be supplied separately.

Background to Incredible Edible Lambeth

Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL) is a network of food growers and activists who are working to improve our communities. We exist to re-localise the food system in Lambeth so that it nurtures us and strengthens our communities. We do this by bringing in resources and funding, running programmes and services and advocating for our members and a more localised food system.

IEL was founded in 2010 and is now a Community Interest Company (CIC) with an experienced team of seven directors and a wide network of volunteers and supporters.

Incredible Edible Lambeth is currently developing further maps. In addition to signposting food projects it correlates the location of activity to issues such as health, deprivation and access to nature. Visit www.incredibleediblelambeth.org, or find us on Facebook/IncredibleEdibleLambeth and on twitter at @ediblelambeth and @edibleclapham

Incredible Edible Lambeth is part of a national Incredible Edible Network http://incredibleediblenetwork.org.uk/

Funding and support for the map

The development of the map was supported the Garden Organic Food Growing Schools London programme and was linked to the Mayor of London’s Food Flagship programme, aimed at tackling obesity amongst school children. The Mayor promotes a variety of initiatives that aim to get Londoners eating healthy, affordable food. His Food Strategy outlines five main objectives to improve Londoners’ health, reduce health inequalities via the food they eat, reduce the negative environmental impacts of London’s food system, support a vibrant food economy celebrate and promote London’s food culture.


About Incredible Edible Lambeth, Incredible Edible Ltd, Lambeth Food Partnership, other

SUSAN SHEEHAN Building grassroots #green and #community activity, in collaboration with statutory sector & businesses. Particular focus on food projects @ediblelambeth @incednetwork @lambethfood, #ulablambeth www.incredibleediblelambeth.org www.lambethfoodpartnership.org