Volunteers Transform Neglected Land into Community Gardens in Brighton

Local initiative aims to grow 70% of residents' own produce and redistribute surplus food to those in need.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:36pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a garden shovel repeated in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and bold black outlines to create a modern pop art representation of community gardening.Volunteers in Brighton are transforming neglected land into thriving community gardens, empowering locals to grow their own food and reduce reliance on imported goods.Brighton Today

In the heart of Brighton, a group of dedicated volunteers are reclaiming neglected land to create thriving community gardens. By growing their own produce, they are not only reducing reliance on imported goods but also building a stronger sense of community and environmental responsibility. The Havens Community Food Cooperative takes this initiative a step further by redistributing surplus food from supermarkets and farms to those in need, creating a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Why it matters

These grassroots efforts challenge the notion of centralized, commercialized food production and advocate for a more decentralized, community-driven approach. By transforming unused land into productive spaces and redistributing surplus food, the volunteers and cooperatives are contributing to a broader cultural shift that could reshape our relationship with food, the environment, and our local communities.

The details

Volunteers like Nawal Al Baraze are growing an impressive 70% of their own vegetables on the reclaimed land, while Stephan Gehrels has planted over 300 fruit and nut trees in the city, working with schools and charities to create more usable gardens. The Havens Community Food Cooperative takes this a step further by redistributing £2 million worth of fresh produce from supermarkets and farms that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring that nutritious food is accessible to all.

  • The community gardens and food cooperative initiatives have been ongoing in Brighton since 2020.
  • The Havens Community Food Cooperative was established in 2022 to address food insecurity and waste in the region.

The players

Nawal Al Baraze

A volunteer who is growing 70% of her own vegetables on the reclaimed land, contributing to the community's self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.

Stephan Gehrels

A long-time community grower and garden designer who has planted over 300 fruit and nut trees in the city, working with schools and charities to create more usable gardens.

Havens Community Food Cooperative

A cooperative that redistributes £2 million worth of fresh produce from supermarkets and farms that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring that nutritious food is accessible to all in the Brighton and Hove region.

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What they’re saying

“It just makes sense to grow food on land that's not being used.”

— Stephan Gehrels, Community Grower and Garden Designer

What’s next

The community gardens and food cooperative initiatives are expected to continue expanding their reach and impact in the Brighton area, with plans to create more usable green spaces and increase food redistribution efforts.

The takeaway

These grassroots initiatives in Brighton demonstrate the power of community-driven efforts to transform neglected land into productive spaces, reduce reliance on imported goods, and build a more equitable and sustainable food system. The story serves as a model for other communities to follow, inspiring individuals to take action and reshape their relationship with food, the environment, and their local communities.