Growing Kent & Medway

How could you use a Growing Green grant, worth up to ￡7k? *Biodiversity* ?? ?? Create a green space on your site, restore ecosystems or implement a composting system *Energy efficiency and decarbonisation* ?? ?? Recapture lost heat and recover water from your processing, switch to alternative heat sources or make your lighting systems smarter *Circular economy* ?? Turn your waste into valuable resources, or start a bottle return scheme This isn't an exhaustive list. Once enrolled on Growing Green, our knowledgeable team will work with you to develop a grant project that will give you the biggest benefit. Explore what other projects our sustainability grants could help with: https://lnkd.in/evVjvh_V Flora O'Brien Low Carbon Kent #growinggreen Good to know: All grant applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and these projects will not be automatically approved. Our team will work closely with you to get your application right.?

Are you unsure how to secure funding and finance to scale-up and grow your food business? Our free webinar on Thursday is with Alberto Martellini who will give you the knowledge, confidence and skills to master your finances. Can you afford to miss it?

How have growers benefited from our Growing Green grant and training so far? ?? Reduced water use by switching from overheard systems to trickle irrigation ?? Found new uses for their waste crop materials, such as leaves, stalks and prunings ?? Used less fertiliser by investing in low-disturbance sub-soilers to improve their soil structure and health Growing Green is designed specifically for the sector and can help you find ways to save ￡￡ and grow more sustainably. Find out how other growing businesses have reduced their environmental footprint and saved costs. Where could you reduce your inputs and resource use? https://lnkd.in/g-MChUK4

Do you know how to communicate the health & nutritional benefits of your product? Are you confident in managing your finances to scale-up your business? Are you aware of how IP can protect and grow your food brand? Our free March webinars will give you tips and support to build your food and drink business. Leading specialists are kindly sharing their knowledge and experience to answer your questions on food labelling, funding and finance, and IP. > Alberto Martellini, from the Funding Advisor, will help you master your funding and finance to scale-up > Alex Nicholls from The Supplant Company will explain the fundamentals of intellectual property for the food industry > Georgina Stewart MRSPH will help you effectively and accurately communicate the health and nutritional benefits of your food products Book now to reserve your place. #plantbased?#foodentrepreneurs?#accelerator?#foodanddrink https://lnkd.in/ey6SAJsq What topics would you most like to see us cover in our food webinars? Tell us in the commments!

A rich heritage of traditional African cuisine meets with a passion for technology, innovation and adapting to modern nutrition trends in the food brand, Konero. We spoke to food entrepreneur and founder, Gideon Effiong ACIEH, AMEI, to hear about his business journey developing fruit and vegetable-based ready-meals, recipe box meal kits, and plant-based snacks using Nigerian flavours and menus. Read Gideon's story: Innovating the recipe box market with a taste of Nigeria https://lnkd.in/ewdrQric #foodentrepreneur #foodinnovator #plantbased

How big is your environmental footprint? ?? Today, our first group of Growing Green businesses started their journey to net-zero. Richard Izzard from Low Carbon Kent is running the first part of the programme, Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers, a training course certified by IEMA. Do you know where you could make the biggest energy savings in your business? If you'd like help to find out how to reduce your environmental footprint and find ways to cut costs, sign up for our Growing Green ￡7k grant and sustainability training programme. Applications for our April group are now open. Places are limited. https://lnkd.in/e-u4UhNS #netzero #environmentalfootprint #carbon #energy #horticulture #plantbased #foodanddrink #kent #medway

Great afternoon spent with Growing Kent & Medway on the Food Accelerator workshop. Such inspiring individuals and such an honour to be invited along as one of the Mentor for the discussion group.

What a day with our incredible inspiring food and drink start-ups part of the Growing Kent & Medway Food Accelerator. A huge thank you to Keith Casson, our trainer and the mentors who contributed to the workshop Sam Duong, Kristina Boulden, Johnson Bada P., Debbie Inglis, Dan Crooks and the Natural Resources Institute Food Scientists working at the Medway Food Innovation Centre! The energy in the room was electric, with dynamic discussions and invaluable insights shared. This just could not happen online.

And they're in! ?? This year's first tomato crop has been planted by the students at the UK's first centre of excellence in glasshouse growing. Plant Raisers Ltd, a sponsor of the initiative, delivered the young plants in late February, and the Hadlow College students took part in all stages of planting. As the crop establishes, the students will manage the crop through to harvest, learning about the technical aspects involved in producing a commercial crop, from lighting to pest and disease management. The Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College is based near Tonbridge and officially opened last year. If you'd like to find out how you can support the initiative, or if you know someone who would benefit from training at the Centre, please get in touch. #tomatoes British Tomato Growers' Association Thanet Earth #horticulture #freshproduce #farming #skills #kent #glasshouse #protectedcrops https://lnkd.in/egpN2jfG

Last week, we gathered at the University of Kent with an incredible group of new mentors for a day of mentorship training, led by the brilliant Liz Jenkins from The Kent Foundation. ?? The session provided a structured framework to help mentors build meaningful relationships with their future mentees. Liz highlighted that mentoring isn’t about giving answers – it’s about empowering mentees to make confident, informed decisions. But mentoring is a two-way street! ?? Our mentors also explored how the experience can fuel their own personal growth, leadership skills, and professional networks. A huge thank you to Liz and our new mentors for bringing such energy and insight to the session! We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll have. ??? Applications for our mentoring programme are open. If you'd like guidance to help grow your career or business, apply now: https://lnkd.in/e-sFux3D #MentoringMondays #Mentorship #Kent #Medway Charlotte Price Rebecca Smith