Our vision

Our vision is to engage people in practical and sustainable food related projects that inspire health and well-being and celebrate the diverse nature of communities in North Glasgow.

Aims

• To have a positive impact on the health of those living in North Glasgow
• To encourage community development and cultural awareness in order the strengthen the diverse communities of North Glasgow 

Objectives

• Cookery groups will lead to the improvement of cookery skills amongst the local population and improve the diet of both participants and their families.
• Opportunities will be provided for people to participate for therapeutic reasons to the benefit of their health.
• Cookery demonstrations and tasters will raise awareness of healthy cooking and inspire people to broaden their experiences and knowledge of healthy food.
• Creative ways will widen accessibility of our services to socially isolated and vulnerable members of the community and those not currently using our services.
• Give local people the opportunity to participate in the development of a sustainable allotment and grow their own fruit and vegetables. This will encourage people to engage in physical activity, consume fresh produce and increase environmental awareness.
• Local people will benefit from services that are inclusive of the communities in which they operate. This will increase social interaction and promote cross cultural understanding.
• Participants, volunteers and their families will benefit from social networks improving community harmony and cohesion.
• Local people will have improved access to affordable healthy produce and information about healthy living and will be better able to live healthier lifestyles.
• Support is provided for local people to participate in volunteering which benefits their local community. Using a person centered approach, we will provide new experiences, skills and opportunities for personal development.
• Local groups and organisations will have access to information, resources and health related activities which will increase awareness of healthy living.
• Children and families will benefit from practical advice and activities to facilitate the development of healthy lifestyles from an early age.

History

 

North Glasgow Community Food Initiative (NGCFI) has operated as a non-profit making organisation since June 2001. It was initially established by students from Student Action For Refugees (STAR) at Glasgow University, under the name of the North Glasgow Food Co-op.

It was set up in response to research carried out by the Glasgow Asylum Rights Campaign who had identified a need for the local provision of cheap fresh fruit and vegetables in order to encourage its consumption and a need for projects that were intended for use by the whole community.

In the first year the project was run entirely by volunteers and in September 2002 the project received funding from Integration Resouces to take on staff to support and develop the activities. The organisation then changed its name to the 'North Glasgow Community Food Initiative' and broadened its focus to include expanded fruit and vegetable sessions, a delivery service, an allotment project and cookery activities. It has been growing ever since!