Our publications

In late 2006, Food train published Food MK, a report which demonstrates why food should take centre stage in the challenge to create sustainable communities and tackle climate change in Milton Keynes.

Funded by Natural England, the report makes a brave call for a return to the original garden city vision for Milton Keynes, enhancing established areas and creating new productive landscapes such as allotments, community orchards and market gardens.

It highlights the opportunities these landscapes create to cut carbon emissions, create jobs and improve quality of life for all. It also suggests ways that local authorities can help communities support farming in MK's rural hinterland by improving the way locally produced food is retailed in local shops and markets.

For the first time, an assessment of the local food economy in MK was carried out - with some surprising results! Initial assessments appeared to show MK as a local food desert though further investigation unearthed a significant number of previously unknown food producers with the fastest growing sector being individual entrepreneurs and community food initiatives - local people and projects growing, processing and selling food in the heart of the city.

As a way of understanding what drives people to do this and what support is needed to encourage more of this enterprising activity, international and UK case studies and best practice feature in the report alongside an ambitious business plan for an Urban Farm as a living demonstration of possible city farming futures.

Download the report -

Food MK Introduction (pdf, 1910 K)

Growing Food for a Growing City (pdf, 340 K)

MK Foodcheck (pdf, 506 K)

Eat the City (pdf, 291 K)

An Urban Farm for Milton Keynes (pdf, 654 K)