FoodFriends Feast to Honour Local Food Projects in Lancaster
A group of dedicated local food growers is extending a warm invitation to residents for a special community feast later this month, aimed at celebrating the significant impact of food projects across Lancaster.
The annual FoodFriends Feast is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, serving as a gathering to acknowledge the contributions of FoodFriends members in promoting nature-friendly and organic food production throughout North Lancashire.
Supporting Sustainable Food Initiatives
FoodFriends operates as a registered small-society lottery managed by LESS (Lancaster District) CIC. It provides monthly prizes to its members while generating essential funds for local food-growing initiatives. Launched in 2020, this scheme is an integral part of the broader FoodFutures network.
To date, funding from FoodFriends has bolstered two key growing sites known as The Plot. These include an outdoor location on an organic farm and an indoor growing space situated on the White Lund estate in Morecambe. Collectively, these sites form the FarmStart training centre, which has been offering annual training programmes for aspiring growers since January 2021.
Future Plans and Community Vision
Following the acquisition of Summerhouse Community Farm last year, the team behind The Plot is now preparing to relocate. This move aligns with a new, community-led vision for food production in the region. The upcoming feast will offer attendees an opportunity to learn more about these future developments while celebrating the project's achievements thus far.
Ellen Pearce, Coordinator at The Plot, commented: "The FoodFriends scheme was established to create an independent funding source for such projects, reducing reliance on grants. It also enables local individuals passionate about food and production in our district to directly support grassroots initiatives."
She added: "As we bid farewell to Old Holly Farm, where our journey began, we are excited about the prospects ahead. We warmly encourage local residents to join us for a delightful meal and to discover what lies next."
Growing Membership and Event Details
Currently, around 150 people are enrolled in FoodFriends. LESS CIC is actively seeking to recruit 350 new members to ensure the long-term financial stability of The Plot.
The feast will be hosted at The Friends Meeting House on Meeting House Lane in Lancaster, commencing at 6.15pm. Admission is free and open to all, though advance booking is required due to limited spaces. Donations on the evening will be gratefully accepted to help cover meal costs.
