Development workers Julie Anson and Alice Paul are now starting to see the green shoots of success after starting Inverclyde Community Food Network from scratch three years ago.

The pair work closely with community gardens across the area, offering opportunities to learn how to grow produce and reduce waste.

They help deliver food shares and run sessions on how to cook fresh ingredients on a budget.

Both Julie and Alice also pay regular visits to local nurseries helping children to grow in the garden, encouraging healthy living from a young age.

Alice Paul, front and Julie Anson at Parklea (Image: George Munro)

As they reflect on the fruits of their labour, both are more passionate than ever before about the benefits of what they are doing – and the work that still has to be done.

Alice, from Greenock, said: “We are starting to make a dent, but there is still a long way to go.

“It has been quite difficult for everyone with the cost-of-living crisis, so we are trying to help people to cook food on a budget.”

Funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Inverclyde health and social care partnership, the network exists to support and encourage food growing and sharing in Inverclyde.

As well as their cooking sessions, Julie and Alice also co-ordinate a ‘Moveable Feast’ project providing free community meals at different venues across the area.

Most recently their annual Potato Week project has seen more than 300 potato-growing kits handed out to local residents.

They work in nurseries helping to transform garden plots, and send children home with bags of ingredients for home made soup.

On their website they provide information about healthy recipes as well as tips on growing your own food.

Alice added: “It really is a role that we have made our own. We started from scratch three years ago, and have looked at ways to build it up.”

For both Julie and Alice it was about getting out into the community.

Julie said: “We didn’t want it to be about sitting in rooms, in meetings, making lists. We wanted to get outdoors and get our hands dirty.”

Alice’s background is in community learning and development, working at Your Voice Inverclyde and also in the care sector.

She says taking on the role at the Inverclyde Community Food Network has been a transformational experience.

“It has honestly changed my life,” she said.

“I love the outdoors. I love coming home at night and being physically tired, whereas before I was mentally tired.

Potato growing campaign at South West Library  (Image: George Munro)

“At home, before Covid, we had started to think about our garden, how to have raised beds and grow food.

“But I was by no means an expert. I feel so much more confident now.”

For Julie, getting involved with the network represented a totally new career path.

Having previously worked as a graphic designer and illustrator, Julie decided to volunteer at Belville Community Garden during the pandemic, getting involved in the garden and in the ‘soup and a blether’ drop-in.

She started to take on more roles and responsibilities before the opportunity came up with the network.

“I have never looked back,” she said.

South West Library (Image: George Munro)

“It was the best thing I ever did. During the pandemic I wanted to get out there and do something for the community, so I started getting involved at Belville.

“I have lived in Inverkip for 15 years and I had been working at home. This was the first time I felt part of something.

“I now feel very much part of the Inverclyde community.

“I loved having a blether and getting to know people.”

Julie also works with Rig Arts at the Drying Green at South West Library, which also supports the network.

They are continuing to build on their achievements, helping people and creating a network across all the local communities.

Julie added: “What is most important is the partnership working, bringing people together. It is a real team effort.”

To find out more about Inverclyde Community Food Network visit their website or facebook page.