Articles | G.R.O.F.U.N.

Written by The Source | Posted on 02/06/2008 | Category: Real Food

G.R.O.F.U.N.

Step up to your garden fence for the latest green-fingered revolution to be sweeping the streets of our inner cities. We are talking G.R.O.F.U.N – a grassroots community initiative that is uniting neighbours across their divides and providing fresh, local and organic food for all. It started off in Bristol – but it spreads as we speak – and the aim is to make your neglected garden spaces, patios and balconies into productive and wild-life friendly spots for the growing of fruit and veg.

“I truly believe that if a World War II scale mobilization occurred in Bristol” says GroFun-founder Nadia Hillman, “every one of the city’s inhabitants could eat at least one portion of fresh vegetables every day if all the neglected allotments, window sills, flat roofs and public gardens were utilized for food and not for lawns”. But at the moment this is not the plan. For now the ‘Grofunnies’ are simply out to enjoy themselves, build a sense of community in the areas they dig and take full advantage of the fresh and tasty food that grows there.

“A group of us go from garden to garden” explains Nadia. “preparing beds for growing and sharing labour and tools. We get owners set up and provide ongoing support, including watering crops while people are on holiday”. The food that is grown is shared out amongst the volunteers and garden-holders, and everyone gets to learn and share lots of gardening skills along the way. The whole system is run as an exchange – for every hour you put in you receive a greenie point, and once you have ten your own garden gets the makeover.

“The best thing for me is the connecting of people” says Nadia. “Seeing friendships develop between former strangers is such a buzz because our segregated urban fibre needs re-knitting urgently. We might need a neighbour for more vital things than cups of sugar in the future. At the end of the day we are all involved in this to enjoy ourselves and have a laugh whilst making a tangible difference to our neighbourhoods and health”.

If you are Bristol-based and have a little sunny sheltered spot in your garden, or indeed anywhere to put a small container in the sun, do get in touch with the folks from G.R.O.F.U.N – it will only take a few minutes a day and you could be supplying your neighbours with fresh produce. Or if you want to set up something similar in your town or city then they will be more than happy to help you. Go G.R.O.F.U.N!

www.bountifulbristolbulletin.org.uk Email Nadia : grofun@yahoo.ca

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