Hempen Cooperative
Access to food
Growing Solidarity empowers people experiencing food insecurity and social isolation to grow nutritious food, learn and exchange skills, connect to nature and build community at home and at the farm.
About this cause
Hempen builds community connection and resilience through making and selling hemp-based products using a cooperative model. We run a youth employment programme, and community outreach project Growing Solidarity. We collaborate with a range of local groups including Reading Refugee Support Group and various Reading foodbanks, to connect with people at home, in their neighbourhoods and at our farm.
How this cause brings people in the community together
Growing Solidarity brings together people living in inner city areas, facing social isolation, living on a low income and using food banks. Weekly sessions at the farm, at home and in the neighbourhood offer the opportunity to engage in a dynamic food-growing project while building self-esteem and community wellbeing and resilience.