Greener Kirkcaldy is making progress toward its goal of developing an ambitious new project — the creation of a community food hub for the town.
The community-led charity has now bought town centre premises which will house the project.
The property, on Kirkcaldy’s East Fergus Place, was purchased with a grant from the Scottish Land Fund, a Scottish Government initiative which gives funding and support to help communities take ownership of land and buildings for projects to benefit local people.
Greener Kirkcaldy now needs to raise additional funding to refurbish the building and fit it out as a community food hub.
Once complete, it will be a place for people to come together to grow, cook, eat and learn.
It will centre on a fully equipped training kitchen with eight workstations and a kitchen garden growing fresh ingredients.
The food hub will offer a range of volunteering, work experience, training and learning opportunities around food production and preparation, including courses to help people on low incomes eat well and make the most of their food budgets.
It will also host a wide range of events, courses and workshops on all aspects of food and drink.
Plans include beginners’ bread-making, Indian vegetarian cooking and even gin-tasting evenings.
A food co-op promoting local and seasonal produce is also planned.
Greener Kirkcaldy’s development manager Suzy Goodsir said “We’re really excited to have secured this property for the benefit of the community.
“Its location, right in the town centre, is perfect for our food hub project which will be a resource for everyone in Kirkcaldy.
“We’re going to be working with loads of other organisations on this project, from NHS Fife to Kirkcaldy Food Bank, and lots of community and voluntary groups who are keen to use the training kitchen with their members.
“We’re now fundraising for the refurbishment and fit out of the building, and we hope to be able to open its doors to the public by early next year.”
The hub will complement Greener Kirkcaldy’s new training garden at Ravenscraig Walled Garden which will offer courses, training and volunteer opportunities in gardening and growing fruit and vegetables.
Anyone who is interested in finding out more or getting involved with the project should contact Greener Kirkcaldy on 01592 858458 or email info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk.
