Matt, Harvest London, leads a tour of the vertical farm inside Corner Corner
With the way people live in cities undergoing rapid change, the concept of growing food in urban environments is taking root as part of creating sustainable neighbourhoods. Growers from three local urban farms came together at Corner Corner recently to explore the future of local food production in SE16. The trio represent very different approaches to solving the challenges of a city’s food supply but share an ambition to apply fresh thinking to the use of urban spaces, and to engage those living around them in the conversation.
The meeting was convened by Canada Water Connect, the partnership between British Land and charity ELBA that connects people with opportunities created by the Canada Water development. Representatives came from Harvest London, who run the indoor farm at Corner Corner; Global Generation, who engage people with growing food at community space Paper Garden; and Surrey Docks Farm, which gives people hands-on experiences of rearing animals. Together they looked at how they could work together to provide educational and employment opportunities for local people.
Chris Davies, founder and CEO of Harvest London, points out: “British Land have promoted this little cluster of agriculture businesses in London’s newest town centre. If that’s not a vote of confidence in the concept of local food production, then I don’t know what is.”
Harvest London’s vertical farm at Corner Corner
Matt checks the growth of produce at Corner Corner
As part of the meeting, Emma Trueman from Global Generation and Gemma Hooper from Surrey Docks Farm were taken on a tour of the vertical farm by Matt Chlebek, Harvest’s Chief Scientific Officer. He showed them the process from seed to harvest, demonstrating how the indoor farm utilises technology, including an irrigation system that uses minimal water and carefully controlled lighting, to optimise plant growth year-round.
Vertical farming aims to tackle two major challenges humanity faces in feeding itself in the 21st century. Firstly, it enables growers to produce a reliable supply of crops using a fraction of the land area needed for traditional farming. Secondly, it shows that food doesn’t need always need to be a totally globalised industry, with all the drawbacks such as food waste and disruption to supply chains. Food can be produced on site and delivered to the table in tip-top condition – in some cases in just minutes.
The vertical farm at Corner Corner introduces people to this concept as part of a multifaceted venue that also incorporates live music, an immersive Minecraft experience and a food hall. The farm directly supplies this food hall with ultra-fresh herbs and salads, in addition to supplying other local food outlets across London.
Find out more about the vertical farm at Corner Corner here
The community growing space at Paper Garden
The classroom at Paper Garden, built with local collective Yes Make, volunteers and re-used materials
The multi-award-winning Paper Garden was built by more than 3,000 volunteers. It was set up by British Land’s partners Global Generation in collaboration with Jan Kattein Architects, transforming a former industrial storage shed used by the Daily Mail into a space where people can learn to grow their own food. Fruit and veg are grown at the Paper Garden in raised beds, frames and polytunnels. Workshops run at the space even teach people how to cook what they’ve grown.
Projects hosted at the garden include the Young Generators Youth Leadership Programme for 10- to 18-year-olds. It’s a space for young people to make friends, enjoy themselves and gain experience that boosts CVs and prepares them for interviews. Volunteering here can also count towards Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, and young people can learn new skills including cooking, green space creation, public speaking, carpentry and more. For more information or to sign up, please contact [email protected]
The space is also available to hire for a range of uses, including meetings, workshops, away days, birthday parties and local celebrations. To find out more about hiring the space, contact [email protected]
This pig is one of the many animals cared for by the apprentice at Surrey Docks Farm
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm and charity that enables the whole community to learn about farming, food production and the natural environment. It’s open seven days a week welcoming over 50,000 people a year to visit for free; getting up close to a range of farm animals including sheep, goats, pigs, cows, chickens and more.
Seasonal produce including meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, all reared or grown on site, is sold in the farm shop. Local people can get further involved and develop new skills by participating in workshops or volunteering.
British Land have funded the farm’s youth programme for many years. Funding from British Land has also helped the farm hire an apprentice, who plays a key role in delivering weekly animal care workshops with youth workers, two-week work experience placements for people ages 14-25, and animal care with more than 50 adult volunteers. The apprentice also helps run a mobile farm which takes animals out to schools and universities to educate more than 1,000 children, young people and adults per year. Other tasks include supporting school class tours and works with corporate volunteer groups, including those from British Land.
