At Piccolo Orto CIC, our market garden is more than just a space to grow food — it’s a place for connection, learning, and nourishing both people and the planet.
We’ve chosen to run our garden as a Community Interest Company (CIC) because we believe in putting community benefit at the heart of everything we do. This means that any profits we generate are reinvested into the garden and its people, rather than going to shareholders. It’s a structure that supports our core values of inclusivity, sustainability, and social impact.
Our garden is proudly located on an organic-certified site, which ensures the land we work on is free from harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. This not only protects biodiversity and soil health, but also guarantees that the produce we grow is as natural and environmentally friendly as possible. It aligns with our vision for a food system that supports long-term ecological balance.
We are also deeply inspired by the No Dig method, pioneered by Charles Dowding. This approach focuses on minimal soil disturbance, helping to preserve soil structure and the beneficial life within it. No Dig supports healthier crops, fewer weeds, and less watering — all with less effort and greater respect for the soil’s natural processes. It’s a method that fits beautifully with our values of working in harmony with nature.
Over the next two years, we plan to steadily expand the market garden to increase our crop variety and yields, enabling us to begin selling produce locally while continuing to provide a welcoming space for community involvement. Our dream is to become a vibrant hub where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to learn how to grow food from seed, reconnect with the land, and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labour.
During our community sessions, participants will not only gain hands-on growing skills but will also have the opportunity to taste freshly harvested produce and sometimes take some home to share with their families. These shared experiences help to build confidence, food knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for what it means to eat seasonally and sustainably.
At Piccolo Orto CIC, we believe that a market garden can grow far more than vegetables — it can grow community, wellbeing, and a stronger, more resilient future for everyone.
