Food and farming
The best ways to reduce dependence on oil and minimise carbon emissions are to:
- Shop locally
- Produce food in and around Blewbury
- Use locally grown products whenever possible
- Promote growing methods that aren’t dependent on oil-based chemicals and fertilizers, and that minimise the use of oil-fuelled machinery
And … whenever possible, try to shop ethically!
We welcome ideas about how Blewbury could develop along these lines and
what your views are. If you have thoughts about this, would like to get involved,
or just want to be kept informed by email about what's going on please contact
Sarah Deco:
or
01235 851441.
What we are doing
We are running a weekly stall for people wishing to sell surplus garden produce, including fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, cut flowers, preserves, free-range eggs, and other home produce.
When? Saturday mornings starting 22 May 2010, from 10 am to noon, through the summer.
Where? The shop (garage forecourt) on London Road.
Information for producers: This will be available at the stall and the Post Office, or can be downloaded. There are two sheets: a short guide for producers, and a form to keep track of your produce and sales.
More information? Contact
Sarah Deco, 
or
01235 851441.
Apple Day
We are holding an "Apple Day" on 16 October 2010 to celebrate the abundance of food produced locally – see our events page for more information.
Orchard survey: As part of this, we are conducting a survey of apple orchards and other fruit trees in the village. There is a survey form and more information on our environment page.
Community orchard
The Blewbury Village Gardens Association (otherwise known as Blewbury allotments) has started a community orchard, planting apple and greengage trees.
Locally produced food
We list below a small selection of interesting local food producers. For a longer list centred around Wallingford, see Sustainable Wallingford's free guide.
Q Gardens – Milton Hill, Steventon OX13 6AB, 01235 820988, www.qgardenshop.co.uk. Fruit, vegetables, beef, lamb and pork as well as a wide range of other local products. Pick your own fruit.
The Old Farm Shop – Milton Hill, Harwell OX14 4DP, 01235 831247. Eggs, lamb, poultry and game, unsprayed fruit and vegetables.
The Old Farmhouse Bakery – Steventon OX13 6RP, 01235 831230, www.theoldfarmhousebakery.co.uk. Traditional and unusual breads and pastries, British cheeses.
Upton Cider Company – Upton OX11 9JE, 01235 850808, www.uptoncider.co.uk. Organic cider, apples and cob nuts.
Other ideas under discussion
- In order to encourage good, locally sourced food we would like to produce a guide to local food producers. Please tell us about any that you think should be included in a Blewbury guide.
- Make more use of free wild food: blackberries, damsons, etc.
Permaculture
Permaculture is based on a philosophy of co-operating with nature and facilitating the development of a system that is self-sustaining and self-supporting. By observing natural systems it is possible to produce an environment that is rich in bio-diversity, needs very little maintenance, and which leaves the environment enriched rather than depleted. We are planning to start a permaculture group to discuss using these methods in gardens and allotments, or larger projects such as a community orchard or forest garden.
Ethical shopping
Look for the Fairtrade logo on food products. Fairtrade is an approach to growers that promotes long-term, sustainable development and fairer treatment of the poor and disadvantaged around the world.
Buy Traidcraft products in the
village.
Initiatives in Blewbury
Sustainable Blewbury supports and promotes local food production, community initiatives, ethical trade, healthy eating, and reducing associated travel. The following initiatives are underway or in the planning stage:
- Allotments and smallholdings
- Liaison with local farmers
- Environmentally friendly methods of production such as permaculture and organic growing methods
- Local bread production
- Local milk deliveries
- Beekeeping
- Re-distribution of food surpluses from local growers
- Reducing food waste
- Community shop and cafe
