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WHERE would you like to see food grown in or around Forres?
Moray Council and Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) are hosting a consultation in the town hall on Saturday, November 16 from 2-4pm to showcase seven areas proposed for community meadows that the public is being encouraged to choose from.
FACT community development officer Vicky Flood wants attendees to have their say on aspects that concern them.
She said: "There are already places in Forres that are growing food, however, this drop-in provides that chance to have a chat with Moray Council as to where else you think these should go.
"REAP (Rural Environmental Action Project) will be on-hand with family-friendly activities and there will be a chance to look at a draft plan Tilhill Forestry have been working on regarding regenerating Cluny Hill."
Forres In Bloom (FIB) is sponsoring the event.
FIB secretary Sandra Maclennan said: "There is an increasing trend towards encouraging people to grow their own food as part of addressing climate change. Several areas in Forres have been proposed, including: Applegrove gardens; Bogton Park; Caroline Street; Drumduan Road; Grant Park; High Street; Mannachie Brae; Mannachie Park; Pilmuir; Twinning Link; Pilmuir Road West; Roysvale Park; south of Califer Road; and the Thomson Memorial at Castlehill.
"It will also provide the chance to say where, or where not, you think are appropriate areas for this development.
"There will be activities for young people and refreshments will be provided."
The draft Moray Food Growing Strategy and mapping aims to ensure there are more opportunities for people who would like to grow their own food to do so.
In developing the strategy, the Council is committed to delivering the wider benefits associated with food growing including: improving health and wellbeing; promoting opportunities for social interaction; encouraging sustainability including addressing climate change, enhancing biodiversity and reducing food waste; promoting skills development and education; and creating opportunities for economic development.
The draft vision for the strategy is to: "Promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by increasing access to nutritious healthy food by creating opportunities for people to grow their own fruit and vegetables in towns and villages across Moray, reducing food insecurity and food waste."
An eight-week consultation period is running until November 29. Paper copies of the strategy are available to view in all Council access points and libraries. Comments can be made via a short questionnaire, by emailing localdevelopmentplan@moray.gov.uk or in writing to Strategic Planning and Development, Council Offices, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX.
