We are Rooting for Justice, a non-profit group campaigning for environmental and social justice in York. We believe that access to nature, green space and fresh food is a human right, not a luxury. In the UK, we are facing rising numbers of people struggling to afford food, access green space and land, and facing concerns relating to mental health and wellbeing. Our project aims to grow communities and food, building supportive networks to work with people facing difficulty affording food, accessing nature, or social isolation. We work on the Northfield Allotments on Haxby Road in collaboration with St Nicks, York St Johns University and Refugee Action York. We’re keen to support people with skills and resources to grow food in small spaces, private gardens, on windowsills and allotments, practising agroecology, permaculture, no-dig and more. The food we grow is shared with local communities, centres and kitchens, including Tang Hall Big Local and Food not Bombs.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver free workshops in agroecology (sustainable growing)
• Research and campaigns for land rights, access, food sovereignty and environmental justice
• Fresh produce shared with food solidarity networks, food banks, community centres and local groups
• We will produce seedlings and plug plants to share with communities, supporting people with resources needed to grow

Why it's a great idea:

We will make access to growing fresh food easier, affordable - and fun! By sharing knowledge and skills, we want to empower people to grow their own food (small and large) at home and on our community allotment. Not everyone has access to a private garden, so we’re keen to run workshops that will support people to grow in whatever space they have. We’ll raise awareness of how nature can support our mental wellbeing through access to green space and land. As we face the realities of Covid-19, we’re hoping this approach will bring communities and nature together. We aim to improve local biodiversity by growing green spaces, pollinators and soil conservation. We’ll also support plans to mitigate climate change by following UN sustainable development goals #2 ‘zero hunger’, #3 ‘good health and wellbeing, #10 ‘reduced inequality’, #12 ‘responsible consumption and production’, and #13 ‘climate action’.

Steps to get it done:

• Opening Event - inviting volunteers to join us on 9th June!
• First Workshop training
• Sowing of seedlings and preparation of land
• Harvesting produce and sharing with relevant organisations
• Hosting of public event