Not a lot of allotments to combat rising food prices (Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats)

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Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats <info@brecon-radnor-libdems.org.uk>

Not a lot of allotments to combat rising food prices

March 26, 2009 9:30 AM

Ahead of Urban Gardens Week (30th Mar-5th Apr), the Welsh Liberal Democrats are pointing out the financial, environmental and health benefits of allotments and garden shares in all communities.

This week's inflation figures suggested that while food prices are going up, wage inflation is likely to stay at zero, meaning that many will struggle to pay their food bills, and many are looking to alternative solutions such as growing their own food. Allotment.org.uk has estimated that a well-run allotment can save the average family £800 to £1500 yearly, up to a quarter of the average family's annual food bill of £5200.

Almost 200,000 plots were sold off in the 1980s and 1990s due to lack of demand, but the growing popularity of allotments has led the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners to estimate that 100,000 people could now be on local authority waiting lists.

Last month it was revealed that 1,000 new allotment plots will be created on National Trust land in the next three years to give local communities the space to grow their own fruit and vegetables. These will be included in Channel 4's 'Landshare' project, which aims to match spare land with would-be gardeners.

Urban Gardens Week aims to encourage people to use small spaces, such as window boxes and roof terraces to grow plants, which could include herbs and vegetables.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Roger Williams said:

"Growing your own food is good for your pocket, your health and the environment, but as homes increasingly lack large gardens and open spaces, it's easy to see why allotments and garden share schemes are becoming more and more popular.

"While food prices continue to grow, wages are remaining static, so any money people can save on food at this time is helpful. There is a lot of pressure on land in both urban and rural areas, so it's difficult to provide the space, but the promotion of garden shares and other innovative schemes could give more people the opportunity to grow their own food.

"Allotments and garden shares are the ultimate in local sourcing. Growing your own fruit and veg will mean that people can cut down on their carbon footprint as well as the money they spend on food."

Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott added:

"The average family could save up to a quarter of their annual food bill by growing their own.

"Many have already wised up to the benefits of growing their own food, either in a garden, a window box or an allotment. But lots of people aren't lucky enough to have a garden. As many as 100,000 people could be languishing on waiting lists for allotments. The demand was increasing in the good times, but now that people are trying to watch their money, it's grown dramatically. Local authorities must do all they can to free up land for allotments, but more also needs to be done to promote and encourage garden share schemes.

"With just a small bit of earth, in a pot or a window box, you can grow food. People want to do their bit for the environment and to save money, and they need to be helped with land, information and advice."