New project calls for a Scottish 'food revolution'

28 May 2012

A new project designed to inspire more Scots to grow our own food is about to hit the road.

The Seed Truck, a joint project between Fife Diet and WWF Scotland, funded by the People’s Postcode Trust’s Dream Fund, aims to bring about a food revolution by showing just how easy it is to grow your own.

Over the next 10 months, the Seed Truck will travel the length and breadth of Scotland stopping off at local community groups and larger, organised events such as Gardening Scotland and the Big Tent Festival in Fife to spread the word about eating more locally produced food and to inspire people to roll up their sleeves and grow their own. [1]

Mike Small, Director of Fife Diet said:

"This is a great opportunity to take the ideas of the Fife Diet across the whole of Scotland. These are ideas are that we need to transform our food system and regain some measure of control over our food culture. We do this first by knowing where our food comes from and second by being able to grow some of our own food. These are basic life skills but will be essential in the shift to a low carbon food economy."

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:

“This is a great project which aims to spread the word about growing and eating more local produce. WWF has been working for some time on food issues and our Livewell work looks at how we can enjoy a low carbon diet, by eating more vegetables, wasting less food and eating less meat. This is good for the planet and good for you.

“The Seed Truck is also doing its bit for the environment as it travels the country powered by recycled waste vegetable oil.

“This project is funded by the People’s Postcode Trust’s Dream Fund, and I would like to say a big thank you to the players of the Postcode Lottery for making this important work possible.”

Clara Govier, Head of Charities, People’s Postcode Lottery said:

“People’s Postcode Trust is delighted to support the Seed Truck and be part of the local food revolution in Scotland. The project is a fantastic way to help people all across the country live sustainably and reduce their food bills. The Trust is funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and it’s great that many of them will have the chance to benefit from the Seed Truck visiting their community.”

The Seed Truck recently visited Inverkeithing High School in Fife, where pupils got a sneak preview the Flour Mill Bike. This is a bicycle-driven grain grinding mill which uses pedal power to grind the flour which is then used to make a tasty scone or bannock.

Notes to Editors

[1] For further information on the Seed Truck http://www.fifediet.co.uk/seedtruck

[2] For further information on WWF’s Livewell project http://www.wwf.org.uk/livewell

[3] For further information on the People’s Postcode Lottery http://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/

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