Can Cardiff Feed Itself?

Event asks if Cardiff could be self sufficient in food

Riverside allotments: growing more food in the city could be one answer

P-POD (Post Peak Oil Discussion) will be exploring whether Cardiff can produce enough food for itself on Monday 21 November at Dempsey’s, opposite Cardiff Castle.

The event will focus on research as well as ideas from the audience on the challenges Cardiff, and Wales, face in reaching sustainable food production.

Michele Fitzsimmons is one of the presenters on the night. She says the landscape of rural Wales needs considering as there is little flat, fertile land.

One of the alternatives that could be explored is more urban growing. “There is a lot of land not being utilized like big, wide verges at the side of the road before we need to start growing sweetcorn in Bute Park,” says Michele.

For people and the planet

Can Cardiff Feed Itself? will explore research by P-POD, Amber Wheeler from Glamorgan University and WWF’s Livewell 2020 campaign.

“For the first time diet has been analysed in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions,” says Michele. “There is a formula for a balanced diet that’s healthy and reduces emissions.”

The five Livewell principles are:

1. Eat more plants.

2. Waste less food – Recent research shows people in the UK throw out 10% of their food, and that’s apart from business waste.

3. Eat less meat – “We eat too much high energy intensive food,” says Michele.

4. Eat less processed food – they are normally less healthy and more resource intensive.

5. Eat certified food – such as RSPCA Freedom Food.