GROW · COOK · SHARE
Growing food. Sharing meals. Bringing people together.
GrowCookShare brings local people together through growing seasonal produce, cooking and sharing food, friendship and time.
Launched October 2014
A community project with strong roots.
GrowCookShare was launched with the generous support of a grant from the Leicestershire County Council Innovation Fund. Without this funding, the project would never have started.
WHAT WE DO
Grow it. Cook it. Share it.
The idea is simple: use growing, cooking and eating together to create purpose, friendship and stronger community connections.
Grow
We grow seasonal food on our community allotments and support other growing spaces across the local community.
Cook
Fresh produce and home-cooking skills come together in meals, baking, preserves and other seasonal food.
Share
People share food, time, skills and conversation — helping residents stay connected and enjoy community life.
THE PROJECT IN ACTION
From allotment to lunch table.
Up to 60
people at a monthly lunch
A vibrant monthly lunch club at Castle Donington Community Hub provides a two-course meal and a chance for residents to socialise and eat well.
2nd Tuesday
of each month
GrowCookShare cooks and serves its two-course monthly meal, with the Christmas meal being a particular highlight.
WHY GROWCOOKSHARE?
People need people.
Our experience tells us that people of all ages need other people in their lives to thrive and live happy lives, and that this can become even more important as people get older.
Growing seasonal fruit and vegetables can provide purpose, routine and something to look forward to. Cooking can turn that produce into something to enjoy and share with others.
When life changes
Ill health, an operation, bereavement, caring responsibilities, reduced mobility or losing access to transport can make activities that once felt easy much harder.
GrowCookShare was designed to bring growers, cooks and volunteers together, creating places to meet, chat, share skills and enjoy food together.
MORE THAN A MEAL
Designed around the community.
Growing together
Volunteers and residents can share growing knowledge, tend produce and help with work that may have become difficult for someone to manage alone.
Meals & friendship
Meals are prepared and shared together, creating time for conversation, friendship and the simple pleasure of eating with others.
Transport & take-home meals
Door-to-door transport can be included for people who need it, with take-home portions for those unable to join in or for later in the day.
THE FUTURE OF GROWCOOKSHARE
Help us keep it growing.
We would like to develop and grow the service, and volunteers are essential. We need people to tend the allotments, cook and serve meals, and help clear up afterwards.
It is a great community project to be involved in.
Want to know more?
For further information about GrowCookShare, volunteering or the monthly meal, contact the CDVC office.
Telephone
01332 850526