Food For Life Get Togethers grants available for Plant and Share activities in Wales

If you’re part of a community group in Wales that’s interested in talking part in this year’s Food For Life Get Togethers Plant and Share Month, you can now apply for a Small Grant to help you with your activities.

Food For Life Get Togethers is inviting applications for food-based community projects that are focused on a Plant and Share activity and that happen within Plant and Share Month, an annual campaign that encourages people across the UK to plant, grow and share produce with their local communities.  Grants are worth up to £150 and applications are now open to help groups with everything they’ll need to take part, from buying seeds and compost to getting hold of tools.

The activities supported would need to be community led; could include people from disadvantaged and diverse communities; bring people together and reduce experience of loneliness or social isolation; encourage a positive attitude to ageing and diversity and may also may have the potential to become longer term projects. The grant is open to not-for-profit groups and settings and the activities can either be virtual or can take place in person, in line with Covid guidance.

Food for Life Get Togethers is a programme of regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through growing, cooking and sharing good food. It’s a 4-year National Lottery Community Fund programme that started in June 2019 and is led by the Soil Association Food for Life charity and delivered in Wales by Food Sense Wales.

Food for Life Get Togethers supports settings by inspiring them to become involved and through offering a range of resources, recipes, training, event planning tips, small grants and funding opportunities.

Hannah Norman, Wales Community Food Manager at Food Sense Wales leads on the Food for Life Get Togethers work in Wales and is encouraging community groups to get involved with Plant and Share Month and to apply for grant funding.

Our grants of £150 are here to help you and your community take part in Plant and Share Month. Last year, Food For Life Get Togethers supported over a hundred community organisers and groups across the UK to take part in a range of planting, growing and food sharing activities,” says Hannah.

“To apply for a grant, you’ll need to register your activity and complete the grant application form.  You’ll need to complete both steps to apply and if you need any support with the application or have any questions about the grant or application process, you’re welcome to contact us.

“As well encouraging community groups to apply for grant funding, I’d also love to see more individuals across Wales to take part in Plant and Share Month.  Whether you’re growing in yoghurt pots for the first time or you’re a seasoned grower with an allotment, Plant and Share Month is for you,” continues Hannah. “It’s really easy to get involved. You need to plant your seeds, share the seedlings or produce with you friends or neighbours and tell us who you shared them with on Facebook or Twitter using #FFLGetTogethers.

“Food for Life Get Togethers have plenty of resources to get you potting. You can also take part in our free online training to boost your skills, download your Plant and Share Toolkit, and join our digital community to swap tips and ideas. Head to our website for more inspiration and support.”

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 22nd February.

Food For Life Get Togethers cannot accept applications from previous successful applicants and can only offer one grant per organisation.  The full Terms and Conditions can be found here.

If you’d like to know more about Food for Life Get Togethers and Plant and Share Month, please visit the Food For Life Get Togethers website.