A new grant funding scheme has been launched in East Suffolk to help people in the Felixstowe area to get involved with growing their own food.

To tackle rising food and energy prices, East Suffolk Council has launched the 'Field to Fork' grant scheme. The scheme will provide grants of up to £2,000 to community farms, allotments and gardens to expand their capacity and engage local people with 'grow and eat' projects that will feed communities and help people stay active and connected.

Field to Fork is one of a number of programmes supported by a £2.75m allocation from the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is part of a three-year programme to develop an East Suffolk Community Food Network which will bring together food producers, suppliers and community food projects to address the cost-of-living crisis as well as reduce food waste.

Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk Council's cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said: "With the rising cost of living, people have less to spend on fresh produce and this can have a negative effect on physical and mental health. Growing your own food at local allotments, community gardens and green spaces not only gives access to cheaper, sustainable and nutritious food but also helps people to spend time outside, be active and meet others in the community."

To apply or for more details about Field to Fork, please email [email protected].

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 18 December 2022.

East Suffolk Council understands the pressures faced by many people today and is working closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure support is available to help ease the squeeze for households in East Suffolk: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/squeeze

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.