Last year’s Grow a Row scheme showed just how powerful small, local actions can be when we grow together. Across allotments, gardens, and community growing spaces, growers donated surplus produce that was shared within our communities rather than going to waste.
Thanks to the generosity of growers at Roots, Woodseats, Heeley & Meersbrook, Walkley Bank, and many individual contributors, we harvested over 3.3 tonnes of fresh food. That’s the equivalent of more than 8,000 meals, all grown locally and shared locally.
Beyond the food itself, the environmental impact is just as important. By growing and sharing locally, the scheme helped save an estimated 10.1 tonnes of CO₂, showing how community food growing can play a meaningful role in tackling climate change.
Abundance Sheffield made a particularly significant contribution, with over 2.1 tonnes of fruit rescued and shared – mainly apples. While this doesn’t neatly translate into “meals”, it represents thousands of portions of fresh fruit that were pressed, preserved, cooked, and enjoyed rather than wasted.
What stands out most is that this impact came from many small acts: an extra row of carrots, a glut of courgettes, a good apple year. Together, these added up to something genuinely impressive and all contribute to improving the city’s food security.
We’d love even more people to be part of it
If you’re growing food – on an allotment, in a garden, or even in a few containers – you can take part by setting aside a “grow a row” and donating any surplus you have. There’s no minimum amount, and every contribution makes a difference – and last year’s numbers show just how far those contributions can go.
By joining, you’ll be helping to reduce food waste, cut carbon, and share fresh, local food where it’s most needed.
Sign up for Grow a Row 2026 by emailing us: farm@thefoodworks.org
