Supporting Riverbank Community Cafe and Market Garden

Krata's vision is that people know the answer to their own problems. In 2008, we went into Merseybank, Chorlton to find a food leader who had an idea of how to resolve issues around healthy eating in the area. We found June Stenson, a local resident, who had an idea for a community cafe and market garden. She wants the cafe to provide healthy food and teach people how to cook. She wants local residents to get involved with the market garden, growing food for the cafe.

Over 2008 and 2009, Krata worked with June to develop a business plan, find partners, set up Riverbank Cafe as a Community Interest Company (CIC), apply for funding, find a cafe venue and land for the market garden and generate enthusiasm in the local community. We also elicited support and advice from the local authorities, the housing trust, restauranteurs, business advisers, academics and were offered £153,100 in funding from the Local Food Fund (BIG Lottery).

Riverbank Community Cafe and Market Garden Community Interest Company, run by June Stenson and other Merseybank residents, has now been established to receive the funding and make it happen.

On 2nd October 2008, June Stenson and Jessica Symons gave a talk to Manchester Metropolitan University art students about setting up the cafe and market garden. We were invited to talk as part of an ongoing European project exploring the 'peri-urban'. We interpreted 'peri-urban to be about what happens in areas between city and country, about borders, and about edges. Play film of talk