The Great & The Good: George Ferguson

“Every small farmer is a vital cog in the local wheel, fighting back against the huge oppressive [global food] system that is destroying local economies [and] local cultures.”

Bristol’s former mayor and architect turned social entrepreneur, George Ferguson puts people, community, and food, not profit, at the heart of city life.

He transformed a derelict @tobacco_factory into a social hub by hosting a Sunday market (@tobaccofactorymarket), as well as a shop, cafe bar, brewery (@bristolbeerfactory), bakery (@marks_bread), restaurant (@grainbarge) and theatre (@tobaccofactorytheatres). Seasonal, chemical-free produce is supplied by @fiveacrefarmer’s. What’s left from the kitchens gets composted on the farm - a circular system with no waste.

“Politicians tie us to international trade deals that fly food across the world on planes and ships in huge containers. It cannot be truly fresh. It cannot be good for our health or the environment. Farming is being treated as an industry rather than a personal occupation and we are losing our connection to land, to animals and to each other.”

His answer is simple and practical. Keep value in local hands. Build culture and community around real food. Many small moves that add up to real change.

#FarmsNotFactories #BuyLocal #SeasonalFood #LocalFirst #RealFood #FoodCulture #CommunityMarkets #FiveAcreFarm #Bristol #FoodSovereignty