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Member Since: 4/2008

Todmorden's Good life: Introducing Britain's greenest town

Read ArticleArticle Source: Independent.co.uk
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It's an ordinary small town in England, but its residents claim they've discovered the secret that could save the planet. And with world leaders preparing to gather in Copenhagen in just over a week's time to debate how to do just that, the people of Todmorden in the Pennines this week issued an invitation: come to our town and see what we've done.

In under two years, Todmorden has transformed the way it produces its food and the way residents think about the environment. Compared with 18 months ago, a third more townspeople now grow their own veg; almost seven in 10 now buy local produce regularly, and 15 times as many people are keeping chickens.

The town centre is dotted with "help yourself" vegetable gardens; the market groans with local meat and vegetables, and at all eight of the town's schools the pupils eat locally produced meat and vegetables every lunchtime.

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{"commentId":10939209,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
"The vital thing about Incredible Edible, and the thing that sets it apart, is that it involves everyone in the town and it's genuinely a grass-roots project. I honestly believe it's a blueprint for every neighbourhood. What we're doing here could easily be rolled out anywhere. It's all about involving people, giving them ownership, letting them realise it can be fun and interesting and that the food is delicious, and giving them space to set up their own ideas and run with them."
{"commentId":10939209,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:25 PM EST
{"commentId":10946483,"authorDomain":"whosthisguy"}
and at all eight of the town's schools the pupils eat locally produced meat and vegetables every lunchtime.

I think that's the most fantastic thing I've heard in a long time. I don't remember the last time I felt my soul smile, but I think that did it.

{"commentId":10946483,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"whosthisguy"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:17 PM EST
{"commentId":10947950,"authorDomain":"curiousg"}

This is fabulous!

A few individuals can indeed make a difference.

{"commentId":10947950,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"curiousg"}
  • 3 votes
#2.1 - Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:16 AM EST
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{"commentId":10948177,"authorDomain":"bobnelsonfrance"}

Excellent seed. The key is clear:

"The vital thing about Incredible Edible, and the thing that sets it apart, is that it involves everyone in the town..."

The future will be collaboration... or will not be at all...

{"commentId":10948177,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"bobnelsonfrance"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:08 AM EST
{"commentId":10955392,"authorDomain":"alaztetik"}
The future will be collaboration... or will not be at all...

You're absolutely right...

{"commentId":10955392,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"alaztetik"}
  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:15 PM EST
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{"commentId":10955471,"authorDomain":"alaztetik"}

Only the people who thinks and knows how to change thier own lives a bit can make a difference in our world...

{"commentId":10955471,"threadId":"734906","contentId":"3562368","authorDomain":"alaztetik"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:19 PM EST
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