West Midlands
Birmingham
Loaf Community Bakery
Loaf Community Bakery is a new bakery in Cotteridge, South Birmingham, specialising in sourdough and other artisan breads. Bread is baked at the home of Loaf director Tom Baker, in both a conventional and traditional wood-fired earth oven. The bakery sells bread through a ‘community supported bakery’ scheme, as well as selling some wholesale to specialist local delis. Bread is made with organic flour, grown and milled in the UK.
Herefordshire
Dragon Orchard Crop Sharers
A crop share scheme, where Cropsharers pay for a share in the yearly apple harvest, orchard products and have seasonal weekend visits. The enterprise is farmer led and provides opportunities for members to enjoy and understand the local landscape and culture. Dragon House, Putley, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 2RG T: 01531 670344
Little Marcle Organic Farm Shop
This is a new producer led scheme. The Davenports are experienced organic growers and produce a wide range of vegetables from 62 acres near Ledbury in Herefordshire. They also have sheep, ducks and chickens and have recently opened and farm shop and home delivery service, keen to feed local people. Their subscription scheme costs £100 a year to join and club members are invited to a series of farm and social events as well as having a 15% discount in the shop. They have 10 members at Jan 2010 and are aiming for 50. Contact: john@flightsorchardfarm.com
Shropshire
Fordhall Community Land Initiative
Fordhall Farm shows how enterprising young farmers can engage with the community, mutualise the land and put it into trusteeship using the Industrial and Provident Society structure, raise the purchase capital from members and balance community access rights with farming needs. Ben and Charlotte Hollins were given a Schumacher Award in October 2006. Fordhall Farm, Tern Hill Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3PS T: 01630 638696, E: project@fordhallfarm.com,
Warwickshire
Canalside Community Food
We are based on Leasowe Farm, a family run farm adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, just outside Radford Semele and have been running a CSA scheme for people living in and around the Warwick District since spring 2007 and are now producing weekly shares of seasonal veg for over 100 local households. They employ three part-time growers and buy in the services of a consultant from Garden Organic at Ryton, and a part-time administrator. The CSA runs seasonal social gatherings and every fortnight there is an opportunity for members to get involved in the work. Tom Ingall, Leastowe Farm, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, E: mail@canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk,
Worcestershire
The Fold
They are interested in setting up a CSA using some of the land on the farm. They are in the very early stages of formalising a plan. Will Tooby, Bransford, Worcestershire, E: will@bransford.co.uk,
