The concept of food grown for the community became a reality in Leeds this week with the winners of a new competition seeing the fruits (and vegetables) of their labours.
The winners of the first design an edible flowerbed competition as part of the new ‘Feed Leeds’ project were on hand outside Civic Hall to be honoured and see the results of their ideas.
The four leading entries from the competition, which was run by Leeds City Council’s parks and countryside service and the Leeds Floral Initiative and was open to any individual, organisation or school in the city to enter, have now been turned into flowerbeds in the city centre producing edible produce such as tomatoes, lettuces, thyme, fennel, lavender, onions and French beans.
The winners being honoured were: Richard Howson of Right Choices Community Project, pupils from Sharp Lane Primary School, Jennifer Lawrence of Headingley Community Orchard and The ‘Saturday Family Drop In’ at Leeds Central Library.
All four had their designs chosen as they met the criteria of offering edible produce, looking attractive and inspiring people to grown their own food. This reflects the aims of ‘Feed Leeds’, which looks to bring individuals, groups and organisations together to promote and support local food growing in the city.
Each of the winning entries received garden vouchers worth £250, and the food produced is to be distributed to community kitchens around the city.
Leeds City Council executive member for the environment Councillor Mark Dobson said:
“Congratulations to all the winners of the competition. The edible flowerbeds look great and they send out a fantastic message that food can be grown in almost any land across the city for people and communities to benefit from.
“Feed Leeds is a brilliant project and we look forward to more and more people, businesses, groups and organisations getting involved in it in the months and years to come.”
Edible flowerbeds have also been planted in community parks around the city including Holbeck Moor and Cross Flatts Park.
For more information on Feed Leeds visit www.feedleeds.org.uk
Great news. Well done!