On the 7th of July, we took a group of Meadows residents to Todmorden, a charming town north of Manchester. Todmorden is the home of the Incredible Edible project a community initiative to grow food across the urban landscape and bring people together. Their motto, ‘If you eat, you’re in, says it all. This is a project for everyone.

What is Incredible Edible Todmorden?

Incredible Edible Todmorden (IET) is a grassroots movement that started 16 years ago with the idea to grow fruit, herbs, and vegetables for communal sharing across the town. But it’s more than just a garden—it’s a catalyst for community connection and positive change. Here’s what we discovered during our visit:

Local Support and Sustainability:
- The active group of volunteers do regular planting sessions, litter-picking, and even community-led repairs when they spot something broken in the town (like a banister or a bench).
- They actively support local businesses by creating green spaces near local cafes, and shops and proactively write to their council to stop large supermarkets from taking over.
Guided Tours and Events:
- They don’t receive any funding but offer guided tours to put some money back into the project.
- Events and free community meals are used to thank volunteers for their efforts and to strengthen community ties.
Going Global
- The project has spread to cities in Canada, Australia and Japan, now known as the Incredible Edible Network. Incredible Edible Todmorden has been featured in Japanese school books since 2013, as an example of community climate action, bringing many Japanese visitors to the area.

Our Tour Experience

After a community lunch with over 80 people, we began our tour at Tod College. There were large planters with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs and arty informative signs with guidance on how to use these plants in our cooking. As we strolled through the town, we noticed reclaimed verges adorned with tomato plants and wildflowers. Cute, decorated boxes served as mini seed libraries, inviting passersby to take part in the green movement.

We continued along the canal and spotted fruit trees, soft fruits, and herb beds alongside informative posters about bees and wildlife. Near the market, Pollination Street was the largest open green space with people sitting on benches and blankets by trees and colourful flowers. Our journey concluded at the Police Station with more large planters with rhubarb, chives, and more!

What we learnt

Our interactions with the Todmorden community left lasting impressions. Here are some of the group’s most memorable takeaways from the day:

Can-Do Attitude:
IET’s positive spirit and can-do attitude were contagious. They believe in taking action rather than waiting. Nobody is an expert in gardening, growing, or plants, but everyone just gives it a go.
Adopting Their Principles:
- There is no time for waiting. Be active citizens.
- Embrace imperfection, you don’t need to be an expert!
- Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
- Work with diverse people inclusively.
- Above all, practice kindness.
Kindness as Currency:
IET relies on volunteers, gardeners, and donors. Their kindness sustains the project. Our visit contributed to this kindness economy.

The enthusiasm and pride radiated by the Incredible Edible team was inspiring. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a national movement rooted in kindness, community, and shared purpose.

Todmorden has 16,000 residents. Over 16 years they have created a supportive, sustainable and positive community through the Incredible Edible project. In the Meadows, there are just 9,000 people. Let’s be like Todmorden, let’s be the change!

Thank you to everyone who came and to Peter Dowse for taking these lovely photos: