North Glasgow Commuinity Food Initiative

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NGCFI Funding Success
 
NGCFI recently received very good news from the Third Sector enterprise Fund of and Award of £65,000 to develop our social enterprise activity. 


City Wide Working
NGCFI are part of a new Glasgow City Wide network of food related community projects. Community Food and Health Scotland commissioned Ekos to produce a scoping study on the way forward. The report is available on CF&HS web site. Please contact Greig at our office for more information.
SC036842www.ngcfi.org.uk

NGCFI AGM
We are holding our AGM in the Millburn Centre (see the map below) on Thursday 21st October from 6.00pm until 8.30pm.  The address for the Millburn Centre is 221 Millburn Street, Royston, G21 2HL.  Access to the Millburn Centre is through the door on the right hand side of the building.  There is transport and childcare available to arrange this get in touch with Kathleen on 0141 558 2500 at least a week before to the AGM.  Hope to see you there.

On November 23rd 2009 NGCFI was invited to take part in a Scottish Government sponsored conference "CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS". Participants at this conference were invited to contribute to the Scottish Government's joint communique on Climate Change, produced in collaboration with SEPA, SHRC and FEVA. This was to be presented at the Copenhagen Conference this year.
 
Key speakers included, among others, Dr Allan Miller of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Prof. James Curran of SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), Lucy Conway of Isle of Eigg Community Ownership Project.
 
This was an important opportunity for NGCFI to raise awareness about it's working methodology at the national and international level and the feedback so far has been extremely positive. There was also a presentation from our very own Fiona Sinclair and thanks have to be given to Hazel Donaldson, Heidi Quinn and Emma Stewart for the management of the three stalls we had on display.
 
We are keen to get an active climate change steering group up and running which can support the wide range of activities already active in Glasgow. Anyone who is interested should contact Fi on 0141 558 2500 or volunteer@ngcfi.org.uk.
 
There are a couple of videos on you tube which are available at the following links.

NGCFI attended the Wave stop climate chaos demonstration on Saturday the 5th of December. The Wave was a fun, family-friendly march in Glasgow city centre, where a diverse range of people came together to show their concern about climate change ahead of the Copenhagen summit.

AGM 2009
The 2009 AGM held in SCOSS was a good night. 
Over 50 people attended. Some new members joined.
 
A big thanks to all those staff and volunteers who helped with the planning, preparation and setting up etc before the AGM and on the night.
 
Also a big thank you to Megan Hagger, Health Improvement Practitioner from North Glasgow CHCP  for her presentation.
 
 
Merger of Milton Food Project and NGCFI
 Following the merger of Milton Food Project and NGCFI we would like to welcome Jane Anderson who is our new Fruit and Veg Co-ordinator
 
 Welcome
 We would like to welcome our new part-time admin worker Kathleen.
Who has already made a positive impact on the increasing admin workload.

Wednesday's People Article
 

The below article was written and published by the Springburn Herald and appeared in the paper’s edition of 22/11/06 under the “Wednesday People” column.  It features NGCFI’s Project Manager Greig Sandilands

 

" THIS week reporter Alison Rennie talks to Greig Sandilands, the new project manager of the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative.

The initiative began in 2001 as a project run by Glasgow University students to provide cheap, healthy food for asylum seekers and refugees living in the north of the city.

Earlier this year it was one of just two food initiatives in the UK to be given the prestigious Dame Sheila McKecknie Award for the work it does promoting healthy eating in the community.

 

What attracted you to the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative?

Well, my background is community work and I felt the food initiative had a very positive agenda. I was really keen to work in the health field and help people improve their quality of life.

 

What are the main things the food initiative does in the community?

There are a few. One is the  allotments – we have one in Springburn and one in Hamitonhill where we grow fresh fruit and veg.

Abi Morden leads the sessions and we have volunteers who come along and help. We also work with schools who come down and join in as well.

It’s a good opportunity for people to learn more about fruit and veg and where it comes from.

We sell cheap fruit and veg in sessions across the north of the city. They are always busy and it’s much cheaper than supermarket prices, which helps people on a low income get access to healthier food.

We also run various healthy cooking classes and demonstrations around the area.

 

Anything else?

Soon we’ll be starting to input into P7 classes in 20 primary schools across North Glasgow, which is something we haven’t done before.

We’ll be focusing on healthy food in one hour sessions and the project will last four months.

We’ll be giving the children examples of healthy options for different things.

 

What do you think of Jamie Oliver’s campaign to improve school meals?

I think the Scottish Executive is already working to promote healthy schools meals. However, anecdotal evidence shows some pupils are voting with their feet on the idea.

We would be particularly interested in seeing more pupils given a chance to cook healthy meals and let them have a shot at it. They would take ownership of the food because they’ve cooked it themselves.

We are aware of case studies from America where that approach has been successful.

 

The initiative has a lot of   volunteers doesn’t it?

Yes, we have a volunteer co-ordinator, Kate Robinson, who looks after our 35 volunteers. We are always looking for more though!

At the moment we are desperately needing someone to drive our minibus, that would be a big help.

Our volunteers are involved in everything from office work to working on the allotments or helping with the fruit and veg sales.

 

And everyone is working on the upcoming Eat to the Beat fundraiser?

Yes, we are all working hard on that! Fundraising is a necessary part of any charity and we are always looking for new ways to get money to keep going and developing.

 

What does the future hold for the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative?

We would like to become more eco-friendly and link the community with sources of food. Then we can be guaranteed a higher quality product which would hopefully be organic as well.

We are also exploring a partnership with North Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership which will involve physical activity for middle-aged adults in certain areas.

Our volunteers are very important to us and we are keen they continue to have opportunities to develop their skills so we are looking at Scottish Enterprise, as well as linking up with various housing associations as well.

There are lots of things we’d like to develop."   

 
 

Messages of support

FREE GARDENING SKILLS COURSE


Are you interested in learning more about gardeing and gaining the confidence to grow your own?

Our free gardening skills course might be for you!

2.00 - 4.30pm Friday's 26th June 3rd, 10th 17th July at NGCFI

26th  Seeds, bulbs and plants

3rd   Soil care

10th Vegetable crop rotation 

17th Wildlife and design

 

Time For a Chat?

Food and Conversation.

Learn more about food, health and English by joining in our informal chat group on THURSDAYS 2PM - 3.30PM. In our offices, 71 Lenzie Terrace Springburn. Call Fiona on 0141 558 2600 to book a seat!

 

Volunteers in cookery preparation for Eat To The Beat 3!

Volunteers have been meeting midweek since May 9 to plan the dishes for this year's fundraiser on June 6 2008, Eat To The Beat 3.  They say "practise makes perfect" and given the dedication of the staff and volunteers involved in the planning, a tasty treat is surely in store!

 

And more news for foodies...

Our newsletter will include the favourite recipes of staff and volunteers and will also feature on this website. So come back to this space in July 2008, and learn the secret of Rhona's Dolmades!

 

SUMMER AWAKEBREAK

Start your day the AWakeBreak Way! No, it's not a new breakfast cereal but an unpressured and easy way to inject spring into your step. Meet up at NGCFI Offices, 71 Lenzie Terrace, Springburn, each Friday morning at 8am and join in 40 minutes of walking, jogging. Then enjoy a healthy breakfast together before starting your Friday.  Volunteers who have taken part have said how good it has been to do exercise at their own pace and have like minded people around to help.  Free basic health check available before you start to check your blood pressure and weight.  Call Fiona on 0141 558 2600 or email volunteer@ngcfi.org.uk if you'd like to join us.

 

What's Your Thought on What You've Bought?

Thanks to all who helped us out by completing our survey of fruit and veg customers.  A great help in letting our funders know what you think and us too!

 
Annual General Meeting

The NGCFI Annual General Meeting took place on 27th September 2007 at  Balgrayhill Community Learning Centre. Over 70 members of the public attended, with nine elected onto our Board of Directors.

 

 

NGCFI was again on hand at the 2008 North Glasgow 5k Fun Run to provide runners and their families with delicious smoothies, muesli and fruit tasters. The Fun Run was organised by North Glasgow Healthy Living Community.  Three NGCFI volunteers helped out and took part in the run itself! The stall was emptied pretty quickly by runners refuelling after their effort.  The sun shone and it proved to be a great community event.

 

  MEP visits NGCFI

On 19 December 2006, NGCFI had a one hour visit from SNP MEP Alyn Smith. He was most interested in our work, visiting our office and one of our fruit and veg sales points in Sighthill.

 

Good news on Funding

NGCFI is delighted to announce that funding over 3 years has been secured for the Volunteer Project from Comic Relief.  This will contribute greatly to strengthening our work and we are very grateful to Comic Relief for their support.

 

 

Food Labelling debate: do you support the Food Standards Agency's 'Traffic Light' system? See the BBC's coverage - click on the link, look out for the video too. Do you want to get active on this issue? Do get in touch with Greig at our office.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6231137.st

 

 

Fun Event!!

Residents from North Glasgow and beyond really let their hair down on Saturday 2nd December at our social and fundraising event, Eat to the Beat II, in Maryhill Community Central Halls. 

With great music from live bands and the DJ, everyone had fun, and enjoyed a night of food and dancing.  We raised over £700, money which will go towards the expansion of our project. 

Because the 5th of December was also International Volunteer Day, we were particularly glad that there were people from so many different cultures at the event.

We’d like to thank everyone for their help on the evening, and to the sponsors who donated prizes for the raffle.

If you missed Eat to the Beat, but would like to make a donation to the project, please contact the office.

 

News

NGCFI Volunteers at Elderly Awareness Day event

NGCFI volunteers caused quite a stir recently at an event in Springburn Parish Church to promote the welfare of older people in our community.  Four volunteers were there, handing out information, giving healthy food tasters out to over 60 people, and generating lots of interest in our activities.

Nancy, who volunteers with our Fruit and Veg project, said “Our tasters were very popular!  From tomato salsa to hummus with vegetable sticks, people really appreciated being introduced to things they can snack on that are also good for you.  It was a good day for all”.

                                       New timetable for Fruit and Veg stall !!

NGCFI is pleased to announce the new times for selling fruit and veg around the community.  To find out when we are nearest to you, go to:

Fruit and Vegetable Service

 

Great Event!!

On 13th September, NGCFI celebrated its AGM with style.  Music, food and chat got proceedings off to a lively start before staff gave a brief presentation and certificates were awarded to some volunteers for their efforts during the year.  A new Board of Directors was elected and have since held their first meeting.  More than twenty people signed up as members of the AGM.

In a year when the project has gone through some changes, it was a really good opportunity to bring everyone together and find out what people want from their local food initiative.  As we're looking ahead, the views of local people are essential to planning next year's activities. 

 

EAT TO THE BEAT – NGCFI fundraising event - Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the event in Maryhill possible and so successful. We raised £1000 for the project so a job very well done… thanks again to you all.

 

Fundraising appeal – thanks to all those lovely generous people out there we have now raised about £8000 for the project. This includes a £4000 anonymous donation from a very generous individual. We would also like to say a big thanks to everyone who was involved in the sponsored walk which raised just over £1000 for the project.

 

Funding news

  • Funding news – we have received £2000 from the Co-operative Group, £2000 from the Russell Trust , £24,000 over 3 years from the Robertson Trust, £21,000 over 3 years from Lloyds TSB
  • Dame Sheila McKechnie NGCFI- Award Winner. We were one of only two out of 54 projects nationwide who received the award so well done to us and as well as a lovely crystal award we also got given £15,000 over three years.  You can read about the award and why we were chosen to receive it on the website of the Food Standards Agency, who administer it.

See http://www.food.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/2006/apr/glasgowmckechnie 

  • Hamiltonhill Allotments have been reopened!- the council have at last officially reopened the Hamiltonhill allotment site and it is safe to work on them as long as you follow the council guidelines that have been issued. We are looking at the possibility of taking back some of the plots that we used to have there so I will keep you posted…
  • We recived £5000 from the Kelly Family Charitable Trust.
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    Contact Details:
    North Glasgow Community Food Initiative
    Flemington House, Room F3
    110 Flemington Street
    Springburn Glasgow
    G21 4BF
    Tel 0141 558 2500 /2600 (fax)
    General email enquiries: admin@ngcfi.org.uk
    Scottish Charity No.SC036842   Company Registered in Scotland No.290958
    To visit our Facebook page click here

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