Edinburgh Community Food launches affordable organic pilot with Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap is demonstrating ways to enable people on a low income to access nature friendly food, removing the supply and affordability barrier within cities. Edinburgh Community Food’s project is one of a series of pilot projects across the UK using financial incentives and engagement work to demonstrate the opportunities for scalable and replicable interventions. 

Edinburgh Community Food is a social enterprise and a charity. They source and sell the best quality fruit and vegetables, running stalls in Edinburgh’s hospitals and delivering fresh fruit and vegetables across the city.

Brenda Black at Edinburgh Community Food said:

“We’re thrilled to lead on the Bridging the Gap pilot in Edinburgh and to have been able to source a wonderful variety of locally grown Scottish fruit and vegetables at affordable prices for the community in North Leith”

Jock Tamsons Gairden is a community led project that sells its produce to local retailers, organisations and community projects. The pilot will also be supplied by organic fruit and veg wholesalers. 

This project is one of a number of pilots that are using local retail models to drive the change we need to see. The evidence captured through this work will support Sustain to advocate for a raft of national and local level policy changes that can effectively Bridge the Gap.

To make use of the scheme, eligible people can sign up for a fruit and veg box delivery within Edinburgh by calling 0131 467 7326 or emailing KMiller@edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk or visit the Leith Walk Police Box pop-up stall.

The pilot will be running at Leith Walk Police Box fortnightly on Thursdays between 9am – 2pm.

One happy customer said:

"My wonderful box arrived full of delicious stuff, including cherries...Dead chuffed...A brilliant project...Highly recommended. Thanks to ECF."

Hannah Gibbs, Bridging the Gap Programme Manager said:

"Bridging the Gap is delighted to be partnering with ECF to bring organic fruit and veg to the streets where people live and even to their doorsteps at a price that is affordable. Everyone has the right to access food that is good for their health and for the planet. We are excited to see what cities across the UK can learn from the work in North Leith"