It's not the end...

Well, hasn't the past two and a half years flown by! When I think back to the start of the project in September 2011 I am astonished by how much we have achieved since then. Over 1000 local people have attended events, one-off sessions, and courses to learn how to grow their own food. Nearly 30 local groups have been involved with the project, and lots of schools in Oadby and Wigston have now started growing food as part of the curriculum. We've even created two new food-growing groups - the Aylestone Lane Community Allotment, and the Muddy Boots pre-school group. We are very proud of what has been achieved, and look forward to seeing what happens next...

So the current round of funding has come to an end, but it doesn't mean the food growing has to stop! A group of dedicated volunteers will still be meeting at the allotment every Tuesday morning, and the Muddy Boots pre-school group is starting up again after Easter. Both these groups are now going to be run entirely by volunteers, so a big thank-you has to go out to Sue and Emily, who are taking up the mantle and ensuring the legacy of the Community Food Champions Project continues. Without the dedication and enthusiasm of the volunteers much of what has been achieved would be lost, so it's fantastic that we can say with confidence that the spirit of the project will continue in safe hands.

It just remains for me to say thank-you to everyone who has been involved with the project, from the Champions who have helped with all aspects of the project, to the volunteers and participants who have enthusiastically got stuck-in to whatever task they've been asked to do. It's been a pleasure working with you all!

Vicky