A Coventry charity’s initiative to help eradicate food poverty has been named as one of The Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers 0f 2025 in a list published today. (Jan 27th)
Coventry Foodbank’s Sow to Grow scheme provides outdoor wellbeing support and a social space as well as an area in which to grow produce which can, eventually, also be turned into meals via a commercial kitchen on the site.
The garden, which was launched last summer, occupies a formerly under-utilised space at the rear of the Foodbank’s 25,000 square foot headquarters on an industrial estate in Progress Way. It is part of the charity’s longer term plans to extend its support beyond just food distribution. The fruit and vegetables being grown, including strawberries, tomatoes and sweetcorn, are also being fed into the foodbank’s feeding programmes, like Coventry Foodbank and The Community Pantries.
The seeds of the idea were able to grow thanks to £4k in funding from the National Garden Scheme. Local businesses have also supported the garden project during special Volunteer Days and it is maintained by the foodbank volunteers and creates further opportunities to engage with other people at risk of entering the foodbank system.
Dee Ward, Project Manager Coventry Foodbank, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been awarded the Big Issue Changemakers Award for our ‘Sow To Grow Garden’ project. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of everyone involved in transforming a small patch of land in the middle of an industrial area into a thriving, productive garden that truly embodies the power of community.
“Through the use of raised beds and planters, we’ve been able to grow a wide variety of fresh, healthy produce, including vegetables, fruit, herbs, and, of course, a bumper crop of strawberries, that directly supports our food projects and the 16 foodbanks we work with across the city.
“This award is not just a celebration of the garden itself but of the lives it touches. The garden provides fresh produce for our onsite kitchen, food distribution and promotes sustainability. It demonstrates what’s possible when we come together to create solutions that make a tangible difference.”
She added: “We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Zarah Sultana MP for nominating us. Her support and recognition have amplified the importance of initiatives like ‘Sow To Grow.’ We hope this award will inspire others to take similar steps to promote food security, community empowerment, and resilience.
“Thank you to the Big Issue for shining a spotlight on projects like ours and to everyone who continues to support Coventry Foodbank and our mission to tackle food poverty. Together, we’re planting the seeds of change—literally and figuratively—and we’re so excited to see how this recognition helps us grow even further in the future.”
This year’s Changemakers, which is the sixth since Big Issue first published their Top 100 in 2019, include people and organisations who have raised millions for charity, supported people living in extreme poverty, and fought and won for changes to the law,
Other Changemakers include Barrister Christian Weaver whose campaigining led to ‘Awaab’s Law’, which legally demands landlords act fast to fix hazards such as damp and mould; Maya Amangeldiyeva, who continued to run her life-changing food bank in Herne Bay after a terrifying assault and attempted arson attack; Blue Spirit Sailing, which takes young people experiencing a mental health challenge in the North East sailing; Aneysha Minocha, the inventor striving to decarbonise buildings across the world; and refugee football team Fair Shot FC.
Paul McNamee, Editor of the Big Issue, said: “Against the backdrop of a madder, more divisive world, 2025’s Big Issue Changemakers stand out for their selfless pursuit of justice and kindness for others.
“This year’s list includes lawyers, inventors, entrepreneurs, footballers, sailors, singers, community leaders – from Changemakers who have changed UK law, to Changemakers who have changed things on their street corner. We are even celebrating our youngest ever Changemaker in 11-year-old marvel Travis, who fittingly hails from this year’s UK City of Culture, Bradford.
Big Issue’s Changemakers 2025 Special is on sale from your local vendor or by subscribing HERE.
