About Reading Town Meal

Reading Town Meal is a truly community-powered event. First held in 2011, so far there have been seven fantastic 'picnics in the park' celebrating the delicious fruit and veg that is grown in Reading. All the food is donated by the wonderful growers and allotment holders around Reading, cooked by Reading College students, and served free in Forbury Gardens. The meal is accompanied by music from local bands, family fun activities, plus the chance to learn more about growing your own food, shop with local producers and find out what local community and sustainability groups are doing in Reading.

Background and aims

Reading Town Meal aims to celebrate and promote home grown and locally produced food. Food4families developed Reading Town Meal as part of its broader vision for a significant increase in the amount of food grown locally and more sustainably. This embraces a broad approach to sustainability, incorporating economic, health and well-being, community capacity and resilience, and carbon reduction aspects.

Organisers

The Reading Town Meal is organised through a partnership group of key stakeholders whose intention is to make it a regular event. The Steering Group for 2013 comprised: Food4Families, Reading College, Reading Borough Council Culture & Sport Services, True Food Community Co-operative, Transition Town Reading and other volunteer members. In 2015, these were joined by Reading Food Growing Network and Reading Voluntary Action. Read more about this year's organisers.

Funding

Over the years, Reading Town Meal has been funded with generous support from Reading Borough Council, the Big Lottery Fund, Reading Climate Change Partnership, The Earley Charity and other sponsors, as well as donations from local people and companies. Read more about the sponsors who are making Reading Town Meal 2018 possible.