A Lake District food farm, which supplies its town’s foodbank, has found a new home.
Windermere Food Farm was set up in 2021 and was based on land behind the Windermere Hotel.
Following the hotel’s sale, the community interest company was told it would have to relocate – and there were fears for its future.
But Matson Ground Farm has offered the organisation land and it will create a new, permanent community growing space.
The land will be used to create an organic kitchen garden that will offer its produce to the food bank and to anyone experiencing financial difficulties in the local community.
Windermere Food Farm has been supported by local people and businesses.
Grants from Westmorland and Furness Council, Windermere Town Council, and donations from the Lakes Hospitality Show, the Albert, Urban Food House and San Pietro’s, along with others, allowed the group to buy a polytunnel, compost, seeds, tools and create a pond.
Matson Ground Farm, near Windermere, has been owned and managed by the same family for over 100 years. The organic farmland and woods are looked after in a nature-friendly way, which increases biodiversity through conservation projects and careful stewardship.
Tim Keenan, director and founder of Windermere Food Farm CIC, said: “We are extremely delighted and thankful for the opportunity that Matson Ground has given the project, by allowing Windermere Food Farm CIC to develop a piece of land on the farm.
“This has given us a permanent home and will allow us to be an example of how to grow organic sustainable food and be used as an educational tool.
“We will also be reaching out to local schools and groups, such as the Scouts to get involved and learn about growing, harvesting and cooking organic, sustainable vegetables.”
Sam Scott, of Matson Ground, said “Welcoming Windermere Food Farm onto Matson Ground is a really strong fit for us.
“We have been farming beef and lamb here organically for over 20 years so now sharing fruit and vegetables grown here with the local community feels like the perfect link in our organic food journey.”
For more information on upcoming events and volunteer sessions, join the Facebook group, Friends of Windermere Food Farm and to get involved in the project, email Tim at [email protected]
Windermere Food Farm CIC said it was also committed to acquiring more land to grow and distribute organic vegetables to the local community and creating a circular compost system.
