| Learn about food gardens | <h2 class="sectHeading">City support for urban farming</h2><h4>By growing our own food, we can:</h4><ul><li>improve our diet and health;</li><li>help alleviate poverty and hunger;</li><li>build a healthy community;</li><li>save money and protect ourselves from the rising cost of food;</li><li>educate and learn;</li><li>build skills and create jobs;</li><li>feel more connected to nature and its cycles;</li><li>build a sustainable city;</li><li>reduce food waste; and</li><li>reduce the carbon and water footprint of our food due to less industrial production, transportation and storage</li></ul><p>Whether you are thinking about growing your own herbs or food in your home, or starting a bigger gardening project in your community, get active and join the urban farming revolution! At the City, we support urban farmers and food gardens through programmes, funding opportunities, and key partnerships with not-for profit and private sectors.</p><h4> Opportunities to connect</h4><p>See our full list of
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Food%20gardens">City-supported food gardens</a> and get in touch with one of them, or sign up for the
<a href="https://www.capetowngreenmap.co.za/" target="_blank">Cape Town Green Map<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> newsletter to stay informed about opportunities and collaborations in Cape Town’s green community.</p><h4>You can also read our food gardens and urban agriculture policies to find out more about how we support and promote food security in our city:</h4><ul><li>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Food%20Gardens%20in%20Support%20of%20Poverty%20Alleviation%20-%20%28Policy%20number%2012399C%29%20approved%20on%2004%20December%202013.pdf" target="_blank">Food Gardens Policy in Support of Poverty Alleviation and Reduction</a></li><li>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Urban%20Agricultural%20Policy%20for%20the%20City%20of%20Cape%20Town%20-%20approved%20on%2007%20December%202006.pdf" target="_blank">Urban Agriculture Policy</a><br></li></ul><p></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Early Childhood Development Centres</h2><p>A number of our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/ECD%20centres">ECD centres</a> also have food gardens that provide food and education to young children. They are also a source of nutrition for the most vulnerable members in the surrounding communities.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Start a community food garden</h2><p>Setting up a food garden is a wonderful way to help feed your community and encourage healthy eating. Gardening is also great exercise and helps us learn about nature. If you are a new farmer or a team of people hoping to begin your own project, read about how to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-building-and-upliftment/Start-a-food-revolution/Start-a-community-food-garden"> start a community food garden</a> and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Greener-living/Green-gardening-and-eating/Commercial-food-gardens-and-city-farms">commercial food gardens and city farms</a>.</p><h4> We also recommend that you read:<br></h4><ul><li>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Project%20and%20programme%20documents/Best%20Practice%20in%20Community%20Food%20Garden_SDECD.pdf" target="_blank">Best Practice In Community Food Garden</a><br></li><li>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Step-by-step%20Guide%20to%20Urban%20Community%20Gardening_urban%20agr%20unit.pdf" target="_blank">Step-By-Step Guide To Urban Community Gardening</a></li></ul><p></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Eat from your private garden</h2><p>If you have a garden, you can grow your own food. All you need is tools, soil and seeds and some knowledge! We have created a series of wonderful guides to help –<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-building-and-upliftment/Start-a-food-revolution/Start-a-community-food-garden"> a step-by step guide</a> to creating a food garden and information on
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Greener-living/Green-gardening-and-eating/Make-a-kitchen-herb-garden">successful kitchen herb gardens</a>. We have also prepared a
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Greener-living/Green-gardening-and-eating/What-to-grow-in-your-food-garden">guide to seasonal planting</a> so you know what to plant and when.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Keeping livestock in the city</h2><p>If you want to keep animals for food purposes or commercial reasons within our city, it’s important that you follow the rules on how to do this safely and healthily. You can apply to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-to-keep-animals">keep livestock in the city</a>, ensuring you meet the needs of both the animals and your community.</p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border">
<i class="info opportunity"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>
<strong>An opportunity city:</strong> The Urban Agricultural Unit works with the
<a href="https://www.drdlr.gov.za/sites/Internet" target="_blank">Department of Rural Development and Land Reform<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> to buy farms on the borders of Cape Town that can house livestock. The unit also creates community kraals within the City. Contact them on
<em><a>021 550 1100</a></em> or at
<em><a href="mailto:stanley.visser@capetown.gov.za">stanley.visser@capetown.gov.za</a></em> or
<em><a href="mailto:godfrey.domingo@capetown.gov.za">godfrey.domingo@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Green gardening is best</h2><h4> When planning your garden, there are some tried and trusted methods you can use to grow healthy, strong plants, right for our environment:<br></h4><ul><li>Work with nature and plant according to the seasons.</li><li>Plant a variety of indigenous plants, even if not edible. This is good for the health of the soil and you’ll have fewer pests.</li><li>Some plants work beautifully together – this is known as “companion planting”. For example, basil helps to keep pests away and leads to sweeter tomatoes.</li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Greener-living/Green-gardening-and-eating/Start-composting-at-home">Create compost or a worm bin with your kitchen waste</a>. Compost improves the quality of your soil, resulting in healthy plants.</li><li>Use water wisely. Even when we are not in a water restriction period, water is precious and has to be conserved. Try using
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/alternative-water-sources">alternative water sources</a> for your garden.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>
<b>Indigenous plants</b> are best because they do not threaten other plant species’, use less water, require less fertiliser and pesticides, attract birds and bees, and look great all year round.</p></div></div><p>You can consult our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/CCT_Smart_Living_Handbook.pdf" target="_blank"> Smart Living Handbook</a> for more advice on how to grow and live smartly and sustainably in Cape Town. You may also want to read about
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-building-and-upliftment/Start-a-food-revolution/Commercial-food-gardens-and-city-farms">turning your garden into a commercial venture</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Get in touch</h2><p>If you still haven’t found what you are looking for, visit our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Community%2c%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Development">Community, Arts and Culture Development Department page</a> for our contact details.</p> | | GP0|#e9e96176-4517-4cd8-93e9-5a4f3bc1579c;L0|#0e9e96176-4517-4cd8-93e9-5a4f3bc1579c|Learn about food gardens;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#630f1ce3-4d76-4447-85fb-0afef5f00698;GPP|#39d66b11-2134-4df5-8360-0bc5e66e8f4f;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#d5066d9b-20f4-4b28-9254-6bebb6aa56b8;L0|#0d5066d9b-20f4-4b28-9254-6bebb6aa56b8|Learn about food gardens;GPP|#ad6fe10c-0568-48ce-aae2-b58e1ca7d8a5;GPP|#4a553a67-2cba-4911-9745-a724e38b645a;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Growing our own food not only encourages us to eat better – it helps to alleviate poverty and hunger. | 0 |
