Edible Streets

Edible Streets Oxford is an initiative to encourage the growing of fresh food on publicly accessible land, improving physical, mental and community health. The Edible Streets Project is a collaborative study between Architecture, Psychology and Nutrition. The SEED funded feasibility study for Edible Streets highlighted the need for guidance to remove “red tape” (licence, permission, insurance etc.) regarding setting up edible streets in Oxfordshire, as well as guidance for resources, skills and knowledge. As part of this, a 1mx1m planter was implemented in a residential street in Barton, Oxford, where the research team have a Whatsapp group to keep in touch with the residents who use the planter. 

The impact accelerator award and funding from Oxfordshire County Council Public Health, supported the Edible Streets “How-to” guide, which is available to download by members of the public from the County Council website. The guide was developed using real world research within the Oxford community from qualitative data collection from residents and key stakeholders. The data analysis will highlight key themes, and inform what should be included in the developed guidance document.

The Partnership Award funded the design and build of a larger set of planters on the street in Barton from the request of residents, using the information gained from the research to date, including more surface area for growing, and seating. QR codes on the planters enable residents to join the Whatsapp group and link to the Edible Streets Project Website with recipes for the plants. The funding enabled the engagement of a local architect to co-design the planters with the residents, the Edible Streets Team and interior architecture students, as well as project manage a local contractor to complete the project by October 2023.