Urban Growing

Sims Hill Shared Harvest: Become a member!

By Joanna Poulton

Hear from Joanna Poulton from Sims Hill about how you can support local, sustainable food production by becoming a member of their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) cooperative and receiving fresh, seasonal vegetables grown just miles from your doorstep.

Sims Hill Shared Harvest is a pioneering social enterprise nestled in the heart of Bristol, just two miles from the city centre. Our mission is simple: to provide the community with fresh, locally grown vegetables while promoting sustainable farming practices and offering people the chance to be an active part of the food system. As a member-owned cooperative, we’re not just another veg box scheme. We’re a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative, where members are integral to the running of the farm and the decisions we make.

Unlike many commercial veg box schemes that operate on a profit-driven basis, Sims Hill is rooted in the principles of fairness, community and sustainability. This means that when you sign up for a share, you’re not just receiving a box of vegetables – you’re joining a community of like-minded people who care about where their food comes from and how it’s grown. You’ll know the people behind your food, visit the farm, and even have a say in how things are run through our cooperative model.

What makes Sims Hill different?

At Sims Hill, we offer more than just a delivery of fresh produce. Our CSA model creates a direct partnership between the growers and consumers, which is at the heart of what makes us different from other veg box schemes. Here’s how:

Locally grown with care: Our vegetables are grown just a few miles from your doorstep. We use natural growing methods, avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilisers, and embrace permaculture principles. This means your vegetables are not only healthy and tasty but also grown with the environment in mind.

Community and cooperative model: When you join Sims Hill, you become a member, not just a customer. This gives you a voice in the running of the farm, from how we grow our vegetables to where we expand and how we manage our impact. Our cooperative model allows us to make decisions collectively, ensuring that our members have a stake in the future of the farm.

Seasonal and diverse produce: Each week, you’ll receive a seasonal share of at least six different vegetables, carefully selected based on what’s in season. Whether it’s tomatoes and courgettes in summer or root vegetables and greens in the winter, you can expect fresh, flavour-packed produce. We focus on providing a balanced diet with a variety of vegetables all year round.

Commitment to sustainability: We’re committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. From minimising plastic packaging to ensuring that our growing methods nourish the soil and promote biodiversity, we strive to make every aspect of Sims Hill more environmentally friendly.

Engage and support: As a member, you’re encouraged to get involved. Whether it’s through volunteer days at the farm, attending our cooperative meetings, or simply picking up your veg at one of our seven community collection points, you can be an active part of shaping the farm’s direction. You’ll even have the opportunity to work for a share through our workshare scheme.

Why join us?

We are currently looking for 30 new members to join our community. By becoming a member of Sims Hill, you are investing in local food production, sustainable farming practices, and a more connected food system. Whether you choose a full or half share, you’ll receive a regular supply of fresh, locally grown vegetables – and you’ll be supporting a project that is truly part of the Bristol community.

For more information, get in touch at simshillmembership@gmail.com. We’d love to chat with you about how you can become a part of Sims Hill Shared Harvest.

Join us today and help grow a more sustainable and connected Bristol, one vegetable at a time.

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So, what change do you want to see happen that will transform food in Bristol by 2030? Do you already have an idea for how Bristol can make this happen? Join the conversation now.

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