Scotland has a rich food culture and heritage, spanning generations of farmers, fishers, crofters, workers, sellers, cooks. There is the Dùthchas and Dualchas of the Gaels; the berry fields of Blair, summer workplace of the traveller folk; the stormy seas plied by fishermen of East, West and North; the dairy farmers of the south west; the grain growers of the North East; the orchardists of Carse of Gowrie, Forth and Clyde valleys; the multicultural food traditions of post colonial and post-industrial cities. Within all this there are many inspirations for ecological food production - and many challenges.
The arts are a valuable tool. We use them in different ways to help people get the most out of their land and to explore and develop their thinking on food sovereignty and the food commons.
In the communities we work with, the arts can provide a way in for people who're new to the idea of community growing, as well as creating new connections which express something about the people and place - showing how unique and important the land is to the community that works it.
We also work with artists and cultural innovators to develop new ways to explore and express the values, tell the stories and share the hopes for the future that our work is based on.