The University of Manchester & the Kindling Trust have been working to bring one of the City's largest food purchasers and some of the region’s greenest farmers together to increase sustainable food for the city.
Kindling have been working on behalf of a number of local organic growers (as part of a Sustain supported project) to find new customers for the group. Whilst Europe's biggest University is working to green their campus with Alexander Clark leading the way for the Directorate who deal with Sport, Catering, Conferences and Residential Services.
We meet Alex (the Environment Officer for Residences, Catering, Conferencing and Sport) through Julie Bagnoli (a Business Link advisory supporting sustainable food groups in the region) and it became clear very early on that the University and Kindling could build a partnership which offered mutual benefits.
The University get to cut their carbon emissions; increase the quality & freshness of seasonal ingredients, whilst raising the profile of their commitment to addressing climate change and other environmental issues.
Kindling and the group of local growers secure a large stable market to sell their produce at a price that reflects the true cost of production.
Kindling is asking itself: could this be a historical moment – when our city begins to rebuild a direct and co-operative relationship with local farmers and growers to feed the city in an ecologically responsible way in which both grower and buyer financially benefit? Only time will tell, but what is clear: this is a real breakthrough for Manchester, a large public sector body buying fresh organic produce from local farmers and growers. It can only get better!
For more information about the University's programme of sustainability visit: www.stars.manchester.ac.uk/environment or www.manchester.ac.uk/sustainability