History

North Glasgow Community Food Initiative (NGCFI) has operated as a non-profit making organisation since June 2001. It was initially established by students from Student Action for Refugees (STAR) at Glasgow University.
It was set up in response to research carried out by the Glasgow Asylum Rights Campaign who had identified a need for the local provision of cheap fresh fruit and vegetables in order to encourage its consumption.
 
In the first year the project was run entirely by volunteers and in September 2002 the project received funding to take on staff to support and develop the activities. NGCFI broadened its focus to include expanded fruit and vegetable sessions, a delivery service, an allotment project and cookery activities. It has been growing ever since!

In 2006, we were one of only two organisations to win the prestigious Dame Sheila McKechnie Award for Community Food Initiatives, administered by the Food Standards Agency in London.

In October 2009, NGCFI and Milton Food Project merged. NGCFI are working in partnership to establish the Glasgow Community Food Network.  In March 2010 we were successful in our Third Sector Enterprise Fund application to the Scottish Government.

Vision, Mission and Aims

Our Vision is expressed simply as:
A society where health, well-being and harmony is supported within the local community.

Our Mission is: 

                                                                                                                                          People are engaged in practical and sustainable food related projects that inspire health and well-being and celebrate the diverse nature of communities in North Glasgow.

Our Aims are:

• To have a positive impact on the health of those living in North Glasgow

• To strengthen the diverse communities of North Glasgow.

Some of our activities and Services:

Fruit and Vegetable Service

North Glasgow Community Food Initiative operates many 'fruit barras' selling low-cost fruit and vegetables in a range of community venues. The sessions are staffed by volunteers and can also offer healthy tasters and information about healthy lifestyles. Why not come along?

 EVERY MONDAY:
NGCFI Office,71 Lenzie Terrace Springburn 12 pm - 2 pm

EVERY TUESDAY:
 The Courtyard Cafe, Westercommon Drive 11.30 am - 12.30pm

St Rollox Church,
Springburn Rd (Not during School Holidays) 12.00pm - 12.45pm
 

Red Road Family Resource Centre, Petershill Court 1.45pm - 2.25

EVERY WEDNESDAY:

Possilpark Health Centre, Denmark Street, 9.30am - 10.30am

 Milton Resource Centre,Ashgill Road. 9.45am - 10.45am

The Millburn Centre, Royston. 12.30 pm - 2pm

Barmulloch Tenants Hall, Quarrywood Road. 2.30pm - 3.30pm

EVERY THURSDAY

St Monica's, Liddesdale Road, Milton.11am - 12 noon

Maryhill Health Centre, Maryhill.11am - 12 noon

Community Garden Project

Offering activities and programmes for people to get involved in growing their own fruit and vegetables or simply to get out in the fresh air and get active. It's a good way to meet new people from all over the world as we have many asylum seekers volunteering with us. Operates Mondays and Fridays.
A variety of organisations refer their clients onto us to work on the allotment. We can't always accommodate all requests as we need to limit the number of volunteers at any one time. Please phone our office for more information / arrange initial meeting.

Cookery groups and demonstrations

Our cookery groups enable local people to learn about healthy eating and share recipe ideas and cook a nutritious meal from scratch.
We offer healthy cookery demonstrations to different groups of people which have included youth groups, men and elderly people. Unless we have funding in place, we do need our costs covered though.

Outreach

Working in partnership with many organisations, we can offer food / fruit tastings at events, take part in health awareness raising days and do displays and presentations to different groups.
We are involved in a variety of projects, pilot work and networks including the starting solids (weaning) project, which gives parents information about feeding their baby and ideas for preparing baby food.

Volunteer Project

 
If you are interested in volunteering on the fruit and veg barra, gardens, in the office or events check out our Volunteering page on our web site website www.ngcfi.org.uk or call 0141 558 2500 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

North Glasgow Community Food Initiative
71 Lenzie Terrace, Springburn, Glasgow, G21 3TN.
Tel 0141 558 2500
www.ngcfi.org.uk

Scottish Charity No.SC036842   Company Registered in Scotland No.290958