What's the big idea?

We want to help Londoners transform the capital by creating 2,012 new food growing spaces by the end of 2012.

The Capital Growth campaign offers practical advice and support to communities around London, and helps people get access to land to create successful food growing spaces.  

In recent years there has been a tremendous upsurge of interest in food growing. This is in response to concerns about food prices, food miles and the environment. It is also because people want better access to good, healthy and affordable food, and to enjoy cultivating beautiful green spaces and meeting local people.

Just under a third of London’s total area is either green space or water. There is also a large amount of roof space that can be used to great effect. London has the space available, we just need to use it!

What can Capital Growth offer you?

In the initial phase of Capital Growth (November '08-March '09) financial support was provided to 70 new London food growing spaces and in-kind support to a further 25 new spaces.  These spaces represent a diverse range of communities, boroughs and sizes of growing space.

The next funding round is currently open.  Click here to find out more about how to apply to help fund your new space. 

Capital Growth is not just about financial support.  In addition the project is able to provide other resources and savings, as well as lots of in-kind support to people setting up new food growing spaces.  Click here for a rundown of the benefits of being part of the Capital Growth scheme. Any ideas or offers of support, of course, are most welcome - especially from people with specialist expertise - click on the 'Help Capital Growth' link on the menu on the left to find out more.

If you need access to land

Click here to check out Landshare and the listings of land available in London.

If you get land via Landshare and are a community group you will be eligible to also be part of the Capital Growth scheme and to apply for support/benefits through us.

Grow your own at home 

If you are looking for some help to start food growing at home, in your front garden, back garden, or on your roof or window ledge, this is not part of the Capital Growth campaign. But there is a wide range of organisations who can help with this. Go to our links page for further information.

The 'frequently asked questions' page (FAQs in the menu on the left) answers questions about Capital Growth. You can also learn a little of the history of the project. Capital Growth is coordinated by London Food Link, the rapidly growing network of people and organisations interested in healthy and sustainable food for the capital.