Cornwall has a wealth of innovative small scale agroecological producers but its remote geography can make transport and logistics difficult. Gatherings of growers in mid and west Cornwall, organised through the Organic at the Heart (OATH) project, highlighted the challenges associated with driving long distances to buy in and collect produce to compliment their offering to their customers. It’s costly, time consuming and adds to the carbon footprint of operations.
To address this, a grower-led initiative developed, with Sustainable Food Cornwall, to explore potential to collaborate on journeys and on buying in produce (ideally from agroecological producers within Cornwall). The aim would be to catalyse a local food ecosystem.
The first phase of the project mapped the growing projects – providing a great visual tool to start imagining how joining up the dots could create a resilient food ecosystem. You can find the interactive map (which is a work in progress) on the Sustainable Food Cornwall website here.
We then talked to a selection of growers, food hubs and distributors, as well other initiatives across the country, to explore what could be possible. We identified 3 potential scenarios:
- Optimising journey-sharing for collection and delivery of produce (through a WhatsApp group or a ‘Pasty Connection’ for growers)
- Working with third party couriers / wholesalers (such as DPD / Cornish Food Box and West Country)
- A collaborative / grower-owned distribution network linking up local hubs – inspired by the Good Food Loop – see case study below for more details)
The next step is to more fully understand needs and opportunities. So, together with Sally and Rob at Goonown Growers, we have developed a grower survey to find out what’s needed and to explore options for collaborations in more detail. A workshop in October will then gather together growers and other potential collaborators including the Falmouth Food Coop, The Hive Cornwall, the Good Food Loop, Gleaning Network, Sustainable Food Cornwall and possibly local wholesalers / distributors, to discuss the results and explore potential scenarios for the future.
Get involved! Participate in the grower survey and workshop!
You can access the survey here. Final date to submit is 1st October
All growers in Cornwall are invited to participate in the survey. It should only take around 10-15minutes, but the benefits of enhancing collaboration should make that most worthwhile! The study will help the growing community identify opportunities to work together, connect directly and find mutually beneficial solutions – as well as highlighting specific needs for support and funding. Make sure to add your availability for the workshop in the last section of the survey!
Case study: the Good Food Loop
For some food for thought take a look at the Good Food Loop a not-for-profit wholesale distribution network that connects agroecological producers with food hubs and wholesale customers in Cornwall and Devon. The Good Food aims to support agroecological producers by helping them access new markets, either through local food hubs or direct sales to wholesale customers.
An electric vehicle owed by Tamar Grow Local makes the round trip between hubs once a week picking up and dropping off produce. They joined us at the Cornwall Food Summit in May where there was a lot of interest to learn from them or even work together.
Together with the launch of Sustainable Food Cornwall, this could present some exciting opportunities to create a new food distribution system in Cornwall. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and exploring these ideas together with you!
This work is led by growers as part of the Organic at the Heart project in collaboration with Sustainable Food Cornwall. Organic at the Heart (OATH) aims to strengthen existing or create new communities around environmentally, economically and socially sustainable farming. The project has developed a network of local hubs that embody the Organic Principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care across 5 regions of England. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]