New Community Food-Growing Project Receives LEADER Funding
A new initiative empowering people to grow their own food—regardless of space—has been awarded LEADER funding, to the delight of Greystones Councillor Lourda Scott and Anna Mazzarotto of Greystones Town Team, the team behind the project.
The Plot to Plate Community Garden Project, delivered by Jason McCormack of FoodTree, will offer hands-on training in organic gardening, sustainability, and the circular economy. Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or shared green space, this initiative will equip participants with practical food-growing skills. The project is now seeking enthusiastic participants of all ages and experience levels. From complete beginners to more experienced gardeners, this is a chance to learn practical food-growing skills and connect with the community.
Speaking about the funding, Cllr. Scott said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people in our community to learn how to grow fresh, healthy food while strengthening community ties. Food security and sustainability are key issues, and this project will provide lifelong skills to participants—whether they have a small balcony or a shared garden.”
The programme will feature practical hands-on workshops and online sessions with guest speakers from established community food-growing projects across Ireland. Participants will learn everything from vegetable growing and composting to using natural fertilisers and upcycling materials for gardening.
Anna Mazzarotto of Greystones Town Team added:
“Food growing is more than just produce—it’s about connecting with nature, meeting like-minded people, and building community. One of the most exciting aspects of this course is how it will bring people together, whether working side by side in the garden or sharing progress over a cup of tea.”
The initiative will be rolled out in a local housing estate with a mix of private, social, and affordable housing, with strong support from Greystones Town Team, Tuath Housing, Greystones Family Resource Centre, Common Ground residents group, the residents associations, and the estate’s management company.
Jason McCormack encourages people to get involved:
“You don’t need any prior experience—just a willingness to learn and take part. This is a great opportunity to learn, connect and be part of something truly positive for your community. Spaces are limited, so I urge anyone interested to get in touch as soon as possible. To register your interest or find out more about the Plot to Plate Community Garden Project, please contact Julie at plot2plateproject@gmail.com We’d love to hear from you.”
