Category: Events

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Time to go veggie…

Monday sees the start of National Vegetarian Week – an opportunity for individuals, businesses, community groups, educational establishments to highlight meat-free products, share recipes and discover more about the benefits of a vibrant vegetarian lifestyle.

This year, the organisers are encouraging Brits to go meat-free for a week, which is a challenge for many, but tasty recipes, handy hints and tips will be posted on the website, Facebook page, Twitter  @NVW2014 and on the app all week.

In fact, research shows that nearly half of the British public would rather go veggie for a week, over giving up fish and chips or alcohol, sing karaoke in front of friends, eat a packet of dry crackers or sit in a bath of baked beans for week! *

Here at Seed Pantry we are always encouraging our green-fingered fans to plant and grow their own vegetables, salads and herbs. So why not try going veggie for a week and, better still, now is a great time to start thinking about setting up a vegetable patch in the garden. If you don’t have the space, our popular kits let you grow your own in even the smallest of outdoor spaces – from balconies, window-sills and yards.

As well as being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, growing your own veg, salads and herbs means you can eat completely organic produce, grown and picked by you.

So during National Vegetarian Week, why not start growing your own vegetables, salads and herbs at home and experiment with the delicious, wholesome vegetarian diet.

For more information visit: National Vegetarian Week

(*) Source: The Vegetarian Society, 16th May 2014

 

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Flex your green fingers for National Gardening Week!

This week (14th – 20th April) is National Gardening Week 2014 – the country’s biggest celebration of gardening, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

It’s a great opportunity to get out in the garden, embrace the great outdoors and start sowing and planting seeds, flowers, trees, plants, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Thousands of people, public gardens, charities, shops and heritage organisations are getting involved and have plenty of events and activities taking place up and down the country. There are beginner’s workshops, walking guides, garden parties, planting groups and grow your own sessions – so there’s something for everyone.

With the lovely sunshine predicted to stay for a few weeks, now is a great time to start growing your own so have a look at our Seed Pantry product range on the website for planting inspiration.

There are competitions running online, on Facebook and Twitter to win some great gardening goodies so for more information visit: National Gardening Week 

Also, The Big Allotment Challenge starts on BBC2 at 8pm tonight (14th April) so why not tune in for ideas and tips and to get in the gardening spirit!

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We’re keen to Go Green!

This week is Go Green Week (10th – 16th February), People and Planet’s annual national week of action on climate change and encouraging the use of greener alternatives.

Students around the UK in schools, colleges and universities will be running activities to raise awareness of climate issues and to demand stronger action to tackle the climate crisis.

The organisers of the campaign have suggested a whole host of activities to get involved in during the week. This year, Go Green Week coincides with Valentine’s Day so there will be Carbon Speed Dating events (like normal speed dating except couples are matched according to their carbon footprint).

Other events include holding Green Curry Night Fundraisers, where students will be cooking up spicy delights in return for donations to People and Planet.

Universities, schools and colleges from all around the country will be putting on events.  Check out the Go Green Week website for all the latest information about the events taking place during the week – http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreenweek

Growing your own vegetables, herbs and salads is a great step towards greener living. It helps to reduce waste and allows you to eat wholesome, fresh, organic foods. As Spring is just around the corner, now is a great time to start thinking about setting up a vegetable patch in the garden, or if you don’t have the space, our popular kits let you grow your own in even the smallest of outdoor spaces – from balconies and patios, to window sills and yards.

So during Go Green Week, take time to think about how you can make your lifestyle greener – growing your own is a great place to start!

Follow People and Planet on Twitter @peopleandplanet or visit the website for more information on Go green Week or to make a donation – http://peopleandplanet.org/aboutus/

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Could you go vegan for Veganuary?

Thousands of people around the UK are going vegan for January by taking part in Veganuary!

The campaign encourages people to try a vegan diet for a month, and the Veganuary website offers inspiring recipes, meal ideas, videos, cookalongs and advice on the the best places to eat out.

Veganuary aims to raise money for partner charity, Viva, which campaigns for a vegan / vegetarian world and to improve the welfare of animals all over the world.

Going vegan can improve your energy levels, boost your mood and can help you to lose those extra pounds gained over the festive period. It also helps to reduce animal cruelty and provides environmental benefits too.

Here at Seed Pantry, we strongly encourage growing your own vegetables, herbs, salads and as much as possible, as it helps to reduce waste and allows you to eat wholesome, fresh, organic foods. Now is a great time to start thinking about setting up a vegetable patch in the garden, or if you don’t have the space, our popular kits let you grow your own in even the smallest of outdoor spaces – from balconies and patios, to window sills and yards.

As well as being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, growing your own veg, salads and herbs means you can eat completely organic produce, grown and picked by you. So why not make the most of Veganuary by growing your own and enjoying fresh, organic, vegan foods.

Follow Veganuary on Twitter @WeAreVeganuary and on Facebook. Visit the website for more information, recipe ideas or to donate funds to Viva – http://www.veganuary.com.

For more information on growing your own vegetables and to find out more about Seed Pantry’s products, visit www.seedpantry.co.uk.

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A day to reflect on our food systems – World Food Day 2013

World Food Day takes place on 16th October, aiming to raise awareness of world hunger issues with a focus this year on ‘Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition’.

The day aims to teach that each of us has the power to help change our food systems. By eating nutritious food and reducing the amount of waste we create, we can help make the world’s food systems more sustainable.

There are many activities and commemoration ceremonies taking place around the world, including sponsored Hunger Runs and a children’s poster design contest. Entries for this are now closed but the 60 finalists have been chosen with the winner to be announced on 16th October.

Here at Seed Pantry we strongly encourage growing your own as much as possible, reducing waste, and eating wholesome, fresh, organic foods. Now is a great time to start thinking about setting up a vegetable patch in the garden, or if you don’t have the space, our popular kits let you grow your own in even the smallest of outdoor spaces – from balconies, window sills and yards.

As well as being cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly, growing your own veg, salads and herbs means you can eat completely organic, full flavour produce, grown and picked by you.

World Food Day was set up by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and 16th October is the day the organisation was founded in 1945.

Follow World Food Day on Twitter @FAOWFD and use the hashtags  #WFD2013 and #hungerto, or visit the website:  http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/home/en/

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Taste of Autumn Festival at the RHS this month

The Royal Horticultural Society is hosting its annual Taste of Autumn Festival later this month at the Wisley Garden. From 16th to 20th October, head over to experience cookery demonstrations, produce stalls, apple tastings and family activities. Plus, celebrity chef James Martin will be making a guest appearance on the opening day with a book signing at 2pm.

Tempt your taste buds from the food stalls offering Autumn delights including sausages and pies, cheeses, fresh breads, snacks, chocolates and drinks.

There will be Wisley apple tasting sessions as well as apple pressing demonstrations. RHS experts will be giving talks and presentations on growing your own vegetables, salads and herbs, fruits, mushrooms, as well as on cheese and wine tasting and bee keeping.

Plus on 19th and 20th October, head over to the Restaurant for a special harvest festival brunch, complete with Wisely apple juice and berry compote, fresh coffee, brioche rolls, fruit field jams and a selection of egg dishes.

To find out more about the RHS Taste of Autumn Festival, visit the website:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/What-s-on/Taste-of-Autumn

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A Fabulous Feast Of Foods in Urban Food Fortnight!

If you’re interested in growing your own food, or already have a flourishing veg patch, check out the activities taking place in and around London for Urban Food Fortnight.

Urban Food Fortnight takes place from 14th to 29th September 2013 so why not head along to meet like-minded growers from around the city, take part in grow your own activities or attend a pop up dinner in a polytunnel!

This is the capital’s second Urban Food Fortnight and allows food growers to sell their fruit, vegetables, salads, herbs and honey to local restaurants and shops. This supports the growers but also encourages eateries and shops to promote real ultra-local food.

There will also be fundraising events, an Edible Gardens Open Day (21st Sept) with over 50 food-growing spaces opening to the public, a dinner prepared by The Table Café at St Mungo’s community garden, as well as pop up cocktail bars in Skip Garden.

The event is part of the Capital Growth project, long supported by Seed Pantry, which is a partnership initative between London Food Link, the Major of London Boris Johnson and the Big Lottery Fund. It supports and encourages people to grow food in London, whether at home, on allotments, or as part of a community group. 

To find out more about Urban Food Fortnight, visit the website:

Capital Growth urban food fortnight

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Seed Pantry’s support for new National Gardening Leave scheme

The New Economics Foundation has put together a proposal for a voluntary National Gardening Leave scheme – calling for a shorter working week, allowing us all to spend less time at the office and more time in the garden!

Fancy spending one day a week growing your own food? The NEF argues we would all reap the lifestyle, health and environmental benefits and that it would lead to a stonger, happier Britain.

It is also calling for the development of available outdoor spaces for gardening across Britain’s towns and cities.

It believes a four day working week, with one day dedicated to growing, sowing, planting and harvesting would leave people happier, healthier, and better equipped for these challenging times. As well as protecting the nation from external food price hikes it would also strengthen communities and give many disused outdoor areas a new useful lease of life.

Neil Whitehead, founder of Seed Pantry says: “This is a very interesting proposal and we look forward to hearing feedback from government bodies and ministers. We strongly support the idea that one day a week spent growing fruits, vegetables, salads and herbs would benefit people’s health, wellbeing and lifestyles, improve the physical suroundings of some areas of the country and strengthen communities. The proposal makes a very convincing case for a Gardening Leave scheme and we’ll watch the developments closely.”

For more information and to download the proposal, visit

http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/entry/national-gardening-leave

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Seed Pantry goes to Chelsea In Bloom

As part of the Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea In Bloom Week, Seed Pantry will have a stall right in the middle of The Duke of York Square selling a wide range of food plants and herbs.

Pop down to see us from 20th – 25th May where we will be selling a great selection of seeds and plants to grow your own herbs, salads and vegetables at home.

We’ve got a fantastic selection of easy-to-grow seed kits and baby plants ready to be potted and planted at home. Have a look at our website to find out more: www.seedpantry.co.uk/plants

For more information on activities in Due of York Square, visit http://www.dukeofyorksquare.com/featured/chelsea-in-bloom-2013/

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Get growing your own during National Gardening Week

National Gardening Week takes place on 15th – 21st April 2013, just as Spring is finally upon us, so now is a great time to get sowing and planting with the whole family!

Gardening Week is organised by the Royal Horicultural Society and there are lots of activities and events happening across the UK – such as Wildflower planting, nature trails, local community events, children’s workshops, open days, plant swaps and gardening shows. Thousands of people will be coming together to help keep Britain beautiful by sharing and celebrating everything about gardens and gardening.

The website is full of great ideas and listings for events in your area and has a whole section dedicated to growing your own: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own

Here at Seed Pantry, we’re always encouraging our green-fingered fans to plant and grow their own vegetables, salads and herbs at home even in the smallest of spaces – from from balconies, window-sills and yards.

As well as being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, growing your own means you can eat completely organic produce, grown and hand-picked by you.

So why not make the most of the late Spring and start growing your own vegetables, salads and herbs at home during Gardening Week or visit a local event to be inspired to start planting.

We’ve got a fantastic selection of easy-to-grow seed kits and baby plants ready to be potted and planted at home. Have a look at our website to find our more: http://www.seedpantry.co.uk/plants/summer-tomatoes-chillies-peppers.html

Happy Gardening Week!