The Food Programme

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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Factual: Food & Drink

Investigating every aspect of the food we eat

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The Food Programme: The Urban Growing Revolution

The Urban Growing Revolution

BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, The Urban Growing Revolution

From window-sills to rooftops, Leyla Kazim explores stories of food being grown in cities

Leyla Kazim explores stories of food being grown in cities: from individuals re-purposing outdoor spaces during lockdown, to the urban farms driving our future food security.

Planting and growing food has had a massive boost during the pandemic - and that hasn't been limited to those with gardens.

Right across the country, people have been making the most of balconies, rooftops, even window boxes to get their green-fingered fix, as increasing numbers of us enjoy the benefits of interacting with nature and having a hand in producing our own food.

Hot on the heels of her own spring planting project, Leyla Kazim explores stories of food being grown in cities: from individuals re-purposing tiny outdoor spaces during lockdown; to community garden projects providing fresh food and mental health support; through to innovative urban farms offering ideas for our future food security.

Leyla speaks to writer and YouTube gardening sensation Huw Richards; Dr Jill Edmondson from the University of Sheffield, who's collecting data on national growing habits; and a range of first-time growers who've been following her tutorials on social media.

She also hears from Woodlands Community Garden in Glasgow, and the Grow Cardiff city growing project - and heads to Stockport rooftop garden The Landing with chef Sam Buckley from Where The Light Gets In and Jo Payne from Manchester Urban Diggers, to find out just how valuable a green space for growing food in the heart of a city can be...


Presented by Leyla Kazim; produced in Bristol by Lucy Taylor.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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