Food & Farming
Building a resilient local food economy is key to meeting our net-zero and climate goals in the Forest.
FODCAP supports initiatives like the Forest Food Network, a local organisation which brings together local growers, producers, businesses and communities to strengthen our local food system. By supporting community-led action, they’re working towards a future that's both climate-friendly and food secure.
Watch or listen to this video to learn more about this initiative.
Forest Food Network
The Forest Food Network (FFN) is all about supporting good, healthy, locally grown and produced food. Part of the The Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), they work with anyone from local businesses to community organisations to help develop a thriving and resilient food economy in our district.
Scroll down to read about key projects they are working on and would love support with!
Community Fridges
Forest Food Network is working with local growers and food banks to share fresh produce - but without proper refrigeration, much of it risks going to waste.
Community fridges and freezers offer a simple, effective solution by keeping surplus food fresh and accessible. They reduce waste, support families facing food insecurity, and create welcoming, stigma-free spaces for sharing.
If your community space could host a fridge or freezer, with access to power, you can help get good food to the people who need it most. Get in touch with the network here if you can help..
Cooking Classes
Forest Food Network is partnering with Adult Education to offer free cooking classes focused on basic skills using seasonal, locally sourced produce.
The aim is to show that cooking from scratch can be simple, affordable, a healthy alternative to processed food and challenge the assumption that cooking is too time consuming. Participants will learn to make two or three easy meals using what’s on hand or in difficult circumstances, with recipe cards included.
Classes start in June 2025 across the District - details will be posted on the Forest Food Network Facebook page.
Gleaning
The Forest Food Network is working with the Abundance Scheme to connect local growers with volunteers to harvest surplus such as apples, courgettes to chard and more.
This practice, known as gleaning, helps reduce food waste by rescuing crops that might otherwise go unpicked, or unsold and sharing them with people and organisations who need them.
It’s a brilliant way to make the most of our local harvest while strengthening community connections. More growers and volunteers are always welcome—message us here and help feed the Forest.
Working together on Food and Farming
The Forest Food Network and FODCAP support different people, groups, and stakeholders across the Forest of Dean to keep food and farming work linked up and information flowing well. This has included:
Supporting local communities, residents, and producers to come together in a local food forum to discuss local food systems.
Supporting a ‘Climathon’ process, which brought together different stakeholders with an interest in food and farming across the Forest of Dean to come together to plan potential solutions for the future.
