The Community Growing and Food Network is facilitated by Durham Community Action to bring together like-minded organisations with projects or an interest related to growing and food. It enables community groups and organisations from all sectors with similar visions to connect, communicate and collaborate, supporting each other and sharing good practice.
What We Do
Network sessions are held online bi-monthly; there is a different theme for each session and they focus on:
- Meeting with other community groups and organisations
- Discussing topics of interest
- Sharing experiences and updates
We hold in-person events in the community to promote growing and food projects in County Durham.
In November 2024 our network meeting was held online with a focus on Community Food Projects in County Durham. We welcomed speakers from Place to Be, a low-cost community food project that also provides a clothes bank and community café, and Brighter Futures Ferryhill who provide children with opportunities and experiences they otherwise could not access along with a community pantry based within Ferryhill Sport and Education Centre. We heard about each project, how they positively impacted the community and the challenges and development they have faced along the way.
Throughout the whole session, there was a lot of discussion and sharing of information, offers of support for each other’s projects along with connections throughout
Attendees said:
“Thanks for a great meeting!”
“Great to network today”
“We would love to make connections and share ideas”
To find out more you can read our Did You Know blog on the Community Growing and Food Network
You can also listen to our podcast where Durham Community Action and Building Self Belief reflect on the impact Good to Grow Week 2024 has made in County Durham and chat about the power of volunteering to increase community gardening in the local area of Benfieldside in Consett.
Dates for your Diary 2025
- Thursday 20th February 2.00 - 3.30pm Community Growing and Food Network Online Meeting - How can your organisation benefit from Employer Supported Volunteering?
- Thursday 3rd April (in person)
- Tuesday 24th June (online)
- Thursday 25th September (in person)
Staying in Touch
If you would like to join the network and receive regular updates and invitations to the network sessions, sign up for our mailing list here or contact Lyndsey Vickers by email
Join the Community Growing and Food Network Facebook group here
Food Durham
Food Durham is County Durham’s Food Partnership, hosted by the Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists (OASES). The Food Partnership raises awareness of the importance of food and how it relates to the economy, the environment, health and well-being, and issues of social justice. They aim to bring about change to the food system by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors across County Durham.
Become a Food Durham member and receive information and newsletters here
