A space where you can grow food
In a recent survey by the Arun & Chichester Food Partnership, residents said they were keen to see more community growing projects in their local area.
Projects like this offer huge benefits to our communities, including making sure everyone has access to a space where they can grow and share food.
The Petworth Community Garden is a fantastic example. The garden provides an accessible growing space where local people can access free, organic fruit and vegetables. The team also organise regular ‘learn and grow’ and ‘plot to plate’ activities, sessions for children with special needs, and wildlife projects for adults with learning difficulties. For information, visit: https:// growingforall.org.uk/benefits/
We’re proud to be involved in the Arun & Chichester Food Partnership, which brings together Arun & Chichester Citizens’ Advice, voluntary and community organisations and local councils, to make sure nobody goes hungry and everyone can access quality, affordable food. Tips and materials – including a downloadable pack with advice on setting up your own community garden – at: https://arunchichestercab.org. uk/about-us/acfp/
Through our Tree Chichester District scheme, we’ve helped support the planting of seven community orchards. These are collections of fruit trees grown in public spaces and are another great way for residents to access local produce. I’m pleased to say we’ve just secured a further £12,000 of funding to support more projects like this.
The average UK family with children throws away more than £700 of food every year. To help people save money and reduce waste, Ukharvest has recipes designed for using up leftovers: www.ukharvest.org.uk/education/ukhrecipes. You can find tips for reducing food waste, as well as help with other household bills, at: www.chichester.gov.uk/ helpwithhouseholdbills
There are also free cook-along events giving the opportunity to prepare low-cost, healthy recipes with the Ukharvest team. The next Cook With Us event is on Friday 8 December – you can turn basic cupboard ingredients into a tasty recipe to help keep costs down at Christmas: www. ukharvest.org.uk/event/cookwith-us-love-your-store-cupboard-xmas-feast. Community Food Hubs provide affordable food across the district. Just bring a bag and a suggested donation of £3.50 for a selection of groceries and produce. Find the next event by visiting: www.ukharvest.org.uk/education/community-food-hub
There are even mobile apps that can help reduce food waste and save money. Olio – https:// olioapp.com/en/ – provides a platform to share unwanted food or pick up leftover goods from stores for free. Nowaste – www. nowasteapp.com – allows you to scan receipts and barcodes, log your weekly shop, make lists of what you have, plan meals and receive reminders when food items will expire. Too Good to Go – www.toogoodtogo.com – lets you buy ‘Magic Bags’ filled with surplus food at a significantly reduced price from businesses. If you’re struggling to pay for food, the Chichester Foodbank – https://chichesterdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-toget-help – can also help.
There is a range of other support available to those struggling with the cost of living. Utility companies have dedicated schemes. Southern Water offer up to a
50% one-year bill reduction for customers hit temporarily by hard times: www.southernwater. co.uk/customer-and-community-grants/customer-hardshipfund. They offer debt write-off (up to £2,000) for customers who have managed to get back on track but who will never be able to repay their debt; and a grant of up to £1,000 to make home improvements. Portsmouth Water offers debt support and a tariff for customers on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits: www.portsmouthwater.co.uk/ customer-services/help-withmy-bills/ You may also be eligible for cheaper phone and broadband packages: www.ofcom.org. uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costsand-billing/social-tariffs.
Our ‘Supporting You’ team can signpost you to help – supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk