Sutton Community Farm launches initiative to encourage people to enjoy local organic vegetables, and invites members of the public to a Winter Warmer event.

This winter, Sutton Community Farm in Wallington is launching a new initiative to encourage people to enjoy local organic vegetables. The seven-acre farm is a much loved venture, run by and for the community.

The farm’s Sonia Cropper tells us: “We’ll be encouraging people to “Cook with Sutton Community Farm” – focusing on a different seasonal vegetable each week with recipe ideas, information on how it’s grown, and video recipes. In the spotlight will be beetroot, celeriac, leeks, pak choi, cabbage, kale and Jerusalem artichokes. All of these vegetables are ready to harvest at this time of year, tasting their best and providing the perfect ingredients for hearty, nourishing home-cooked meals.”

There will be plenty of ideas to demonstrate what can be done with the veg: celeriac, for example, brings substance and fragrance to wintry dishes such as mash, stews or soups, and beetroot, which has a host of health benefits, is delicious in curry, risotto or cakes.

The farm was first started in 2010 to reduce food miles and promote seasonal diets. It also works to promote biodiversity and wildlife through establishing ponds, wildflower strips and hedgerows. It has become a popular enterprise, offering the community the chance to make new friends and learn new skills, with over 60 volunteers helping out each week.

On Saturday 27th January, the farm will be hosting a Winter Warmer, where the public will be invited to tour around the farm, learn about community food growing, organic horticulture and the importance of wildlife and biodiversity.

There will be food served at a BBQ, singing in the form of Wassail – to encourage fruitful trees for the year ahead – apple tasting, a kids’ art table, a scavenger hunt, farm dipping and a farm shop stall.

£5 tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite. There will also be £2 ticket options available for those on low income.

Customers can order seasonal VegBoxes from Sutton Community Farm, as well as bread, eggs, honey, grains and pulses. The farm supports the livelihoods of many other organic farmers by buying and selling food grown elsewhere.

They’re always looking for volunteers and new customers, see their website for more info.