We would like to say congratulations to the 20 community food projects who have been successful in their application for a share of £300,000 through the Falkirk Food Futures.

Delivered by Forth Environment Link (FEL) (in partnership with ourselves at CVS Falkirk, NHS Forth Valley and Falkirk Council), Falkirk Food Futures is funded through the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF), and aims to help improve access to local food for local people.

Falkirk Food Futures aims to continue and build on a wealth of the meaningful food and growing initiatives which have developed in the region over the past few years – several of which have contributed emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEL will also offer a package of support to all food networks in Falkirk, including a Youth Food Ambassador Programme, community engagement and skills sharing events, capacity building and wellbeing training for food project organisers and their volunteers.

Funded projects include community learning spaces to develop cooking skills and eat together socially, food drop-in services, training kitchens to develop front of house and barista experiences, and outdoor growing areas.

Our own Lynsey Hansford said:

“The third sector has been at the forefront of supporting communities throughout the pandemic, and this funding is vital in helping these organisations do what they do best, which is improving access to healthy food.

“We have witnessed, firsthand, the massive community effort it has taken to ensure people had access to the support services they needed over the last two years. This financial boost to these groups and organisations not only recognises what they have achieved, but will allow them to develop more sustainable food solutions that suit their own local communities.”

Emily Harvey, FEL Development Manager, added:

“We are delighted to bring the Falkirk Food Futures programme to the area. Alongside the community grants, we will be providing access to a range of other support, including digital training and carbon literacy classes.

“We are seeing lots of excitement amongst the funded groups who can’t wait to get started and are all committed to improving access to nutritious, affordable, dignified food.”

Successful Falkirk community groups receiving Community Renewal Funding include:

Birch Tree Farm Gardens
Braes Greenspace
California Community Hub
Coo Park United
Denny YMCA
Dennyloanhead Community Hall
Falkirk Islamic Centre
First Step Development
Forth Valley Sensory Centre
Grangemouth Pantry
Hallglen Food Bank
Keeping Larbert and Stenhousemuir Beautiful
Larbert and District Childminders Association
Larbert Village Allotment Association
Rainbow Women’s Muslim Group
Shieldhill Welfare Club
Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC
Tamfourhill Tenants and Residents Association
TCV Scotland
Westfield Park Community Centre

The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

For further information, please visit the FEL website.

Well done everyone, and congratulations again!