Bensham Bites

Bensham Bites brings together various food growing projects, existing and new, into one network, to engage communities in creative ways of sourcing food through: Growing; food rescue; waste reduction; processing and preserving as a community activity; branding and finally, re-distributing for health and wellbeing. We explore the interconnected systems involved in bringing food from land to fork, including everything, and everyone influenced by it, and its influence on us and our health and well being. Through a series of playful creative, food and nature themed workshops and activities, using local flora and fauna, Bensham Bites develops collaborations across different organisations, shares knowledge, training opportunities, and resources for the benefit of the community.

Coming out of the project Bees of Bensham and the art practice of artist and beekeeper Barbara Keating, who asked the question what are the connectiones to how bees find and preserve food and humans.

Some of the groups we look to support are in the early stages of creating a garden or allotment, whilst others have established green spaces, with varying levels of experience and knowledge. We will support those on low income suffering from food poverty and use the local food bank; explore the health and wellbeing benefits of growing and eating healthly; and growing and sharing food from different cultures. We will concentrate on the following themes:

• Food growing
• Food preservation
• Food rescue
• Food redistribution

Alongside Dingy Butterflies the partnership includes:

The Comfrey Project: a community organisation for refugees and people seeking asylum, who run an established allotment and growing training site.

Herb Hub: project invites people of all ages and from all walks of life, to work together, building connections and community through herb horticulture, knowledge and craft.

The Chev: An Orthodox Jewish group for young women with learning difficulties who have recently taken on an allotment site.

St Chad’s Community Project: a community hub for Gateshead residents supporting a wide range of individuals and families. They have recently opened a Community Market to help people to access good affordable food.

Initially funded by the RHS as a pilot project, we have since received funding from Gateshead Food Partnership and the National Lottery Awards for All to contunue the project until April 2027. If you are interested in being involved, get in touch