City farm project continues to grow with support from 30 local businesses and organisations
Some of the businesses involved in the City Farm project.
SEVERAL Hull businesses and organisations have partnered up to support a city farm project which aims to teach people in the area about food, farming and the environment.
Rooted, Hull’s “farm in a box” project taking place in the city centre involves 30 local businesses and is aimed at creating a community space for the growing of fresh fruit and vegetables and rearing livestock to help local people learn more about food and nutrition, farming and distribution.
The next stage of the project has been taking place at Hull College’s construction workshop. It consists of two shipping containers, one which will act as a shop to sell fresh fruit, vegetables, salad and other local produce, and one which will become a café selling affordable, good quality health food products.
The concept has garnered support from several Hull and East Yorkshire-based companies and organisations, which have been involved in the development and fitting out of the farm’s containers, which will house food growing and processing facilities, conference space, and other on-site amenities.
Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has helped with the formation of Rooted, establishing contacts for the project, and has partnered with national building supplier Jewson to provide materials for the building structures.
Other businesses involved include Bonus Electrical and Boston Renewables, which have pledged support through providing electrical fit outs of the containers, while CFI and Tarkett Ltd are providing materials for flooring. VIP Communications is providing internet access for the scheme, and Imperio Solutions are supplying LGP water heaters. Students from Hull College have also been involved in the joinery works, with Bishop Burton College in discussions about working on the project in the future. A host of other businesses are involved in the development of the scheme, which is targeting completion in late summer 2017.
Nick Wiles, Contracts Manager for CFI, said: “We have quite a few members in our team that come from a challenging background, so helping out with such an inspiring project to help the youth of this generation was a pleasure. Knowing that our efforts, both as a company and as a city collectively, is going to make a difference for a number of families across the city is the driving factor for our workers.”
Adrian Fisher, Co-director of Rooted, said: “We now have 30 Hull businesses who are supporting us in some way, and also Hull College’s students who have shown great commitment to the project.
“Rooted is based on innovative design and thinking and we are passionate about helping people to reach their potential. Our ultimate aim is to connect people back to their food and improve their health and wellbeing, while also encouraging enterprise to all elements of society.”
Hobson & Porter’s Business Development Director, David Blades, said: “We have been working closely with Jewson and other local businesses to help get this project off the ground and it’s great to see the stages coming together.
“There has been input from Hull College’s construction department, and this has given the students some excellent work experience towards their education in the industry.
“The project has benefits for all parties; it is great for the city and provides an opportunity for local businesses to get involved in a community initiative while working in unison with industry partners.
“Hobson & Porter is proud to support Rooted and will continue working with Adrian and the stakeholders throughout the scheme.”
Hobson & Porter is currently running the Foundations scheme, which involves initiatives run for people to gain valuable experience in the construction industry into bridge the skills gap and inspire more young people to start a career in construction. It has recently hosted several supplier exhibitions at Bishop Burton College to improve students’ knowledge of leading industry materials and suppliers.
