A new report from the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature project is calling upon local councils to raise their ambition for community food growing after finding significant benefits for community well-being, nature restoration and local economies. 

 The project, a unique partnership between The Wildlife Trusts, the WI, Incredible Edible, and Garden Organic, funded by The National Lottery Fund, has supported local community food initiatives to grow sustainable and nature-friendly food across the UK, including in London, Nottingham and Hull. 

 The independent report shows that community food growing: 

• Boosts local economies and provides opportunities to access natural spaces
• Improves people’s physical health through them spending time in nature
• Can make a huge difference to mental health and well-being as people work together to grow food in their local area  

 The findings add to the wealth of research ⁽¹⁾ into the benefits of access to green space, and the positive effects that community work and volunteering can have on health and well-being.  The Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature project is now urging local government to adopt the principle a ‘Right to Grow’ across the UK due to the provable benefits for people and wildlife. 

 Earlier this year, Hull City Council became the first council to adopt a ‘Right to Grow’ policy to enable local citizens to grow their own food in disused areas. The council’s default response to a community’s request to grow food on unused land should now be “yes”, unless there are demonstrable reasons why it is not suitable. Furthermore, through the ‘Right to Grow’ principle, councils should offer support around management, use and insurance.  

 Nikki Williams, director of campaigning and communities at The Wildlife Trusts, says:  

“We know that lasting community change comes directly from the people themselves. Local people want more access to nature and more say in what happens in their own area. The 'Right to Grow' has the potential to support community food growing efforts across the country, connecting people with nature by their doorstep and boosting local economy and health outcomes. With more and more of us becoming disconnected from the food we eat and nature that surrounds us, this report proves that we need to see more local councils following Hull’s lead and adopting the ‘Right to Grow’ if we are to all reap the rewards.” 

 The Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature project partners hope that the new report provides the evidence base for more councils to adopt this ambition, also recommending that: 

• Community food growing should be championed within the community-led version of the emerging ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’, a new NHS strategy linking health and healthy lifestyles to communities and the nature on our doorsteps
• Community food growing cuts across different government departments and agendas, including health, environment and food, volunteering, neighbourhood and democratic renewal. It should be prioritised and included across departmental strategies and priorities across England, Scotland and Wales 
• Volunteers are vital to community food growing work but need support and direction from project leaders – roles which the report suggests are vital and - if growing projects are to be scaled up - should be funded 
• Community food growing should be integrated into Defra’s development of the national Food Strategy to ensure people are connected to the sustainable diets they eat 

 Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature was inspired by King Charles’ love for wildlife-friendly gardening, with over 3,500 gardens – from window boxes and balconies to parks and community allotments- created as part of the project’s legacy.  It has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to showcase and celebrate the best examples of sustainable food growing across the UK, offering expert advice and thought-provoking examples of the power of local community action.  

 Drew Bennellick, head of land and nature policy at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says: “It’s been a delight to follow the progress of so many community-led food growing projects, all breathing life into local areas for the benefit of people and nature alike. Thanks to National Lottery players, these efforts show what is possible in towns and cities across the UK and provide a lasting source of inspiration for others looking to don their gardening gloves.” 

To read more about the impacts of community food growing and the inspiring local groups already springing into action, see here: Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature: Community growing learning & insight project Final Report