Planting Seeds of Change: Land Donation and Fundraising Success for Black Farmers Market at our Meadows Hill, Croydon Opening Party

One sunny afternoon in July, we had the pleasure of hosting a special opening party at our Meadow Hill site in Croydon. The day was a celebration of community, sustainability, and local food production. We enjoyed everything from inspiring talks from trailblazing visionaries in the community and horticultural space to a lively Welly Wanging competition. The event wasn't just about fun, though – it also marked the start of an exciting partnership with the Black Farmers Market (BFM). 

As part of our commitment to fostering diversity in the horticultural scene, we proudly donated land to BFM, creating a new market garden for the local Black and non-white communities to cultivate their own produce. On top of that, we raised over £400 to support BFM’s mission of making agriculture more accessible and inclusive. The day was made even more special by the presence of pioneers like Charles Dowding, the no-dig gardening legend, and other community champions who shared their wisdom and passion for growing. With delicious Caribbean-inspired food to keep us fueled, it was a day of planting seeds – both literally and figuratively – for a brighter, more inclusive future in food and farming.

Donating Land and Raising Over £400 For Black Farmers Market (CiC)

Earlier in the year we announced our partnership with Black Farmers Market. BFM is a grassroots, Black-Brisitsh-led organisation that provides a safe space for the social and economic empowerment for the Black community in environmentalism and agriculture. 

Our site at Meadow Hill in Croydon houses a market garden in partnership with the BFM to create a space for the local Black (and non-white) community to grow their own. The UK horticultural scene lacks diversity and has presented challenges for Black and non-white individuals to access land, acknowledgement of the produce they grow, and to sell at farmers' markets (where they are often met with rejection). All of which, the Black Farmers Market aims to eradicate with their movement. 

During our opening party at the Meadow Hill site, we donated land to the Black Farmers Market and raised over £400 to help them continue on their mission of educating, empowering and encouraging accessibility in the horticultural industry.

If you’re part of the Black community and are interested in trading or being involved in a farmers market, check out the BFM’s events here.

We were joined by some pioneers of the GYO world and cornerstones of community-movements

Charles Dowding the “no-dig” innovator

The man that started it all! The godfather of the “no-dig” method which was inspired by our approach at Roots. Charles has been gardening for over 40 years and his work is rooted in organic farming. He’s based in Somerset, UK, where he manages his own farm and is constantly experimenting and evolving his no-dig techniques. His philosophy is centred on working with nature rather than against it and he’s an advocate for sustainability and accessibility within the horticultural industry.

Obie Campbell from Black Farmers Market

Obie is the facilitator and coordinator for the Black Farmers Market. She’s been working with the brand since 2023 and has had a huge influence on their events. She was a key player in the BFM pilot event at Brixton which hosted over 3000 people and continues to facilitate events that host large amounts of people. 

Katie Cooper from Peckham Soup Kitchen

Katie is a volunteer at Peckham Soup Kitchen who works to support members of the Southwark community who are in need by providing nutritious meals to people experiencing food insecurity, creating a sense of community that fosters a supportive environment and collaborating with other organisations to address the root causes of food poverty. They aim to empower vulnerable individuals to improve their lives and their well-being. Peckham Soup Kitchen provides food provisions every week as well as hosting initiatives for the community to get involved in.

And our very own… Ed Morrison

Inspired by Charles Dowding, Ed started his first no-dig patch over lockdown in his Grandma's back garden and has been hooked ever since! With a keen interest in sharing the knowledge of growing, Ed also shouts about how no dig, pesticide-free growing benefits the soil, the environment and those growing and eating the produce! You can find Ed’s favourite veg to grow here.

Good Food and Fun for the Kids (and the Big Kids too!)

We’re a community-led organisation – people are at the centre of what we do. Our opening party hosted a Welly Wanging competition. If you’re not au fait with how to wang a welly, it’s simple. You hurl a Wellington Boot as far as you can and whoever gets it the furthest – wins. Simple fun. We also invited local member Nikeshato to fill our bellies with her delicious Caribbean-inspired food. A day well done.

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What now?

📰 Read more about our Meadow Hills site and our member's thoughts 

🥕 Part of the Croydon community and want to grow your own? Click here

📍 Find out if there’s a patch near you 

📸 Follow us on the Gram to learn about new site openings

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Hey friend! We’re Roots Allotments.

We create shared spaces for local food production and nature. We provide members with everything they need to get started, from seeds, tools, and plants, to growing advice, whilst fostering community with in-person workshops and events. The spaces consist of a mixture of biodiversity-boosting habitats like native woodland and hedgerows, fruit orchards, insect habitats, ponds, and wildflower meadows. Together we can show that food can be grown with nature and not against it.