More growing own food to save cash (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

More growing own food to save cash

12:07am Thursday 17th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

One in six adults have started growing their own food in the last four years, with the majority saying they have done so to save money, according to a poll.

Nearly a third (31%) of all British adults now grow their own food while 64% of those interested in growing their own say it would be to save money, the study for the City of London found.

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and actress Joanna Lumley are launching the City of London's one-off £2 million grants programme to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The aim is to promote the use of green spaces and encourage young people to grow their own food through community involvement and volunteering.

The Growing Localities programme, delivered by the City of London Corporation's City Bridge Trust charity, aims to help reduce social isolation, teach the value of biodiversity and provide horticultural work training for young unemployed people and those with special needs.

Lord Mayor David Wootton said: "Our research shows that Britain is getting back to growing food again and this initiative is to help groups that help people do this.

"Growing things is a profoundly nourishing experience - in every sense - and the City Corporation and its charity the City Bridge Trust wants to help embed the habit across the nation, helping thousands of people across a range of projects."

A message of support from the Queen stated: "The extent of the City of London Corporation's charitable activity is renowned and I am delighted that through this programme, City Bridge Trust is encouraging local neighbourhood projects which will help the environment and offer work training opportunities for young people."