AN Exbourne-based community group features in a new national manifesto which highlights the benefits to local people of growing, eating and distributing their own food. Exbourne Local Food Initiative was one of only ten pilot projects in England to take part in the programme. Called 'From the Ground Up', the manifesto is the culmination of the three-year SPAN partnership programme (Sustainable Production in Active Neighbourhoods). The Exbourne Local Produce Initiative promotes increased consumption and production of local produce in the rural community, in order to encourage a local food economy which is more self-reliant, environmentally conscious, healthy, socially inclusive and cohesive. The SPAN manifesto was launched this week at the 'Big Listen', an event bringing together community groups, international and national academics and specialists and decision makers. Ruth Allen, SPAN's project manager, said: 'In order to mobilise local action, groups based in local communities need support in four areas: hands-on support, better access to land, sustainable growing and better support for groups whose practical food initiatives improve health and wellbeing.' The event was organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature, in association with SPAN - a partnership comprising the Community Composting Network, Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Garden Organic, Permaculture Association and Women's Environmental Network. For more information on the manifesto, go to http://www.spanpartnership.org.uk">www.spanpartnership.org.uk
