Project name

Incredible Edible Cloughmills [IEC]

Category

Sustainable living

Region

Northern Ireland

Town or Village

Cloughmills

Incredible Edible Cloughmills is a community food project with tangible social and economic outcomes. We are starting conversations around the food choices our community has, seeking to expand on the opportunities we have for making more sustainable choices and decisions. We are looking at what, how and where we grow food, how and where we purchase food and ultimately how we deal with leftovers or food waste. We have transformed a derelict site in our community, from an overgrown mess to a food production area, complete with resident hens! Much of this work has been carried out by young volunteers aged 12-17 and the garden and its produce is open to all. We are integrating vegetables into traditional raised flower beds and we are working with local schools to develop food growing. We have produced and distributed 35 'doorstep allotments'. These are recycled plastic boxes containing 7 living salad plants and went to elderly and vulnerable residents. This was a successful attempt to show just how much can be grown in a small space. It also gives those in need access to fresh vegetables. We are opening discussions on growing local food, healthier diets, supporting local food producers and businesses. We work with children, young people, schools, churches, special interest groups, local businesses and individuals to develop a community where people have choices and these choices contribute to a more sustainable low impact world. We are about individual action leading to collective responsibility and pride for people and the planet.