Incredible Edible (free organic food for public spaces)
The Incredible Edible movement, which began Todmorden (Yorkshire), has changed how locals see food, public spaces, and community spirit. The project invites anyone to pick, plant, and share fresh produce grown in public places.
Read more on no-dig gardening and humane slug/snail deterrents. If you live with animal friends, read up on pet-friendly gardens (some recommended flowers and fruit trees are not safe). Also avoid netting to protect food (just leave some for wildlife!)
Grass verges, canal paths, and unloved corners have become shared gardens. Volunteers plant herbs, berries, fruit trees, and veg in spots you’d never expect. People can pick fruit and nuts off trees, or pick some herbs for dinner, at the local train station!
Gardening sessions and workshops run throughout the year. People swap tips, learn about food, and meet neighbours they might never have spoken to before.
The movement has helped many pick up skills they can use at home or in their job. It’s also helped fight loneliness, and built stronger bonds in the town.
On Gardening Sundays, a tasty meal is provided for anyone who visits. Even if you’re ‘a bit wobbly’ and unable to garden, you are free to visit. This is about building community, in a place that has no paid staff, no buildings and no public funding. It’s held in the ‘greenest police station in England!’
Children can attend with adults, though ‘leave beautiful pets’ at home. Also let them know in advance, if you don’t want your photo taken. And bring sensible shoes!
The project’s ‘Little Library’ is also situated in the police station, full of crime novels, which amuses the local force! This global movement now has 100,000 little libraries.
And rather than locals watching divisive news programs, here locals cook pancakes or pakoras (in the mosque), to raise money for the local markets annual fundraiser.
The Incredible Medical Garden is a weekly session at the local health centre. There are themed growing beds, from herbs for cooking, health and beauty – to ones for women’s health and even mental health.
