Press Release 14 Mar 2008

08001kd: LOCAL FOOD NOW ON THE FUNDING MENU

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LOCAL FOOD NOW ON THE FUNDING MENU

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL FOOD SCHEMES

Local Food, a new and exciting grants programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund, will be open for applications from 17 March 2008.

The £50 million programme aimed at making locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities has been developed by a consortium of organisations, and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT).

Local Food is the first Award Partner scheme funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme to open its doors for applications, and will look to distribute grants to a variety of food-related community projects across England.

Mark Wheddon, Local Food Programme Manager said:

"The Local Food programme provides a fantastic opportunity for a broad section of the public to gain access to local food and is perfectly timed to capitalise on the public's enthusiasm for locally produced food and the environmental benefits which that brings.

"With such a broad and varied funding programme we would encourage people who are thinking of applying to be as creative as possible. From school farms and community box schemes, to local food education centres and community composting, the list is endless."

Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit groups and organisations in England delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.

Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive, said:

"The Big Lottery Fund is proud to support this scheme, which will help improve access to locally grown food for communities right across England. With such public interest in healthy eating and protecting our environment, there has never been a better time for people to come forward and apply for money to help put their local food projects into action."

To find out more please call the Changing Spaces Advice Line on 0845 3 671 671 or visit www.localfoodgrants.org.

-ENDS-

Editor's Notes

Local Food: Local Food has been developed by a consortium of 15 national environmental organisations, and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). Supported by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme, Local Food will distribute grants to a variety of food related projects to make locally grown food more accessible. www.localfoodgrants.org

RSWT: The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter, to promote conservation and manage environmental programmes throughout the whole of the UK. It has established management systems for holding and distributing funds totalling more than £20 million annually to environmental projects across the UK.

Changing Spaces programme: The Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme will fund a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the environment. RSWT was appointed as a Changing Spaces award partner responsible for distributing £50million for its Local Food scheme.

The Big Lottery Fund: The Big Lottery Fund rolls out nearly £2 million in Lottery money every day. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, was set up in June 2004. It gives grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572

Public enquiries line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 08456 021 659

Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

For further information please contact:

Kelvin DeSena, PR & Promotions Officer, Local Food, Tel: 01636 670062, Email: kdesena@rswt.org

Big Lottery Fund Press Office, Tel: 020 7211 1888, Out of hours: 07867 500 572

Date: 14 March 2008 Release Date: Ref: 08001kd

Media Release issued: by Kelvin DeSena, PR Officer, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT. If you wish to amend your details or be removed from this mailing, please reply to this message with your instructions.