Edinburgh food projects to benefit from Government funding

Four projects being run in Edinburgh to help combat food poverty are to benefit from government funding announced today.

Pilton Community Health Project, Pilmeny Development Project, Dr Bells Family Centre and Granton Community Gardeners will all receive much-needed cash out of the government fund of £900,000 being distributed nationwide.

The Fair Food Transformation Fund will help projects which try to reduce reliance on emergency food aid, by encouraging a more sustainable approach for families accessing healthy and nutritious food.

This money will be spread over the next two financial years.

Communities Secretary Angela Constance today visited St Paul’s Youth Forum in Blackhill, Glasgow, which has received £46,438 for its ‘Beyond Foodbank’ initiative, which is aiming to move away from emergency food provision.

It runs weekly gardening workshops for young people, and community meals where local people can learn how to make an affordable healthy meal from locally grown produce.

Speaking as she visited St Paul’s Youth Forum, Ms Constance said:

“I have been very clear that no-one should have to rely on emergency food provision in Scotland, and this money will help to ensure we can create sustainable solutions to food poverty.

“We want to encourage community based initiatives such as St Paul’s where people are supported in a dignified way and where the underlying causes of food poverty can be addressed.

“And we will continue to work closely with individual projects to help them develop and build sustainable solutions to tackle food poverty across Scotland.”