This is an Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) project -  Tyfu Dyfi – food, nature and wellbeing. 

 

Starting in Sept 2021, the project will run until the 30th of June, 2023.  The partner organisations are: ecodyfi (lead), Aber Food Surplus, Mach Maethlon, Centre for Alternative Technology, Aberystwyth University, Penparcau Community Forum, Garden Organic.

 

This pilot project is about demonstrating how communities can be involved in their local food systems and enumerating the multiple benefits that accrue. 

           

All food undergoes a journey of varying complexity from production to consumption or disposal.  This project focuses on Welsh local food systems and the opportunities for greater involvement of people at appropriate stages in the life cycle. All tasks involving growing will adhere to agroecological principles and be designed to contribute to green infrastructure.

 

The idea is to provide a national exemplar demonstrating how multiple organisations can cooperate on local food systems to mobilise producers, consumers and communities in response to national priorities such as addressing poverty, improving wellbeing, climate change and biodiversity loss.

  

Main proposed investments:

• Training in growing – for food, wildlife, wellbeing and to enhance the environment. Increasing the number of growing sites in the area

• Developing the market for locally produced food, eg, by integrating a virtual online food hub with physical outlets, through branding, by exploring a local food ecosystem approach

• Community cooking events

• Small number field scale trials with farmers interested in developing agroecological models of sustainable farming including a social aspect

• Education related: motivating future generations in schools, conducting research necessary to effectively share knowledge

• Leasing a small amount of land adjacent to a residential area and establishing a community led agricultural enterprise