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Growing churches sit down for ‘Big Lunch’

20 April 2009

Churches are being encouraged to grow their own produce – or use local food – and break bread with their own community as part of the Eden Projects nationwide ‘Big Lunch’ this summer.

Launched this month, to give growers and organisers time to prepare for the big day on July 19, the Big Lunch aims to bring communities – both rural and urban -  together to create a new sense of neighbourhood and make the most of what they have on their own doorstep.

With a Christian presence in every community the Church of England is keen to tap into the event and support community ventures or host their own.

Church members at St Mary The Boltons in Chelsea have already planted herbs and vegetables for their homegrown ‘loaves and fishes’ meal they plan to host as part of the Earls Court Festival. The Revd Ruth Lampard associate vicar of St Mary The Boltons said: “We are delighted to support ‘the simple act of community’ objective of the Big Lunch project.  Through The Boltons Big Lunch we want to reach out to the local community, especially the lonely and isolated, and share good food and sunshine.  We are aiming for a festival picnic atmosphere, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe.”

Dr Jill Hopkinson, the National Rural Officer for the Church of England, said this would be a chance for churches to celebrate with their communities: “The rural church has always been deeply involved in its local community and this is a great way to show it. The Big Lunch is an opportunity for rural churches of all denominations to work together to encourage gardeners, support local farmers and food producers and have fun with the whole rural community.”

David Shreeve, the Church of England's Environment Adviser, said: “Many churches already organise parish lunches for their congregations on Sundays.  The Big Lunch brings the opportunity to extend these and offer a welcome to others in their communities. If this can include using church land to produce some of the food then that would be a real bonus.”

Tips from the Royal Horticultural Society are provided for Big Lunch enthusiasts who want to grow their own produce or plant ahead for the 2010 event - carrots can still be planted this April in time for the July 2009 event.

To find out about the Church of England's environmental campaign, Shrinking the Footprint, click here.