About us
Stop press: We’re seeking a new head grower to take the helm at our 5 acre organic market garden – supplying veg boxes and to local markets. Great business opportunity for someone wanting to get involved in a local food growing enterprise.
Riverside Market Garden (formally RCMA Market Garden Ltd) is a community owned Industrial Provident Society. Partly funded through grants, and partly funded through shareholders, our vision and mission are:
Our vision
Enabling more people in South Wales to live and enjoy lifestyles that are sustainable, and promote wellbeing. Demonstrate a model for sustainable livelihood – that is, to make a living without damaging the health of the environment, the economy, or the community. Through our work we aim to strengthen our communities and make them more resilient, and contribute to the creation of a sustainable and just food system in One Planet Wales.
Our mission
To bring fresh locally grown produce to the people of South East Wales, and share our knowledge of small scale local organic food production. To develop the Riverside Market Garden as an economically viable, community-owned social enterprise.
Riverside Market Garden was originally created by ‘The Riverside Market People’ (RCMA Social Enterprise). RCMA are well regarded in Wales and have won a succession of national awards.
People at the market garden
Keir Beard is currently our Head Grower, but leaving to run his own business in July 2015 – we wish him good luck.
Tom Alcock is the assistant grower. Either to be found with a spade or a large motorbike in his hands.
Sophie Durnan, who was the head grower, is a Welsh Organic Champion and now runs our market stall at Riverside in Cardiff each Sunday.
Simon Michaels, Board member, is an experienced sustainable business consultant and social entrepreneur. He has established several successful businesses himself, continues to offer advice to many others, and has a particular experience with social enterprises.
Steve Garrett, Board member, works out of Cardiff as an independent social enterprise and sustainable food mentor and consultant. He’s founder of the award-winning Riverside Farmers Market and a founding director of the Riverside Market Garden.
Debbie Leigh, Board member,founded the HubCowbridge community network and has a good base of local contacts, plus horticultural experience and a love of local,seasonal and organic veg. She sends out the newsletters and provides some admin and marketing support.
Richard Berry, Board member, is a familiar figure is Cardiff’s cultural scene, currently focused on storytelling and helping set up Insole Court as a community resource.
We are currently in need of more board members who can help to develop the business – please see more about volunteering with us or contact us to register your interest.
Funding and shareholders
We have received funding from The Waterloo Foundation (£42,000 over 3 years), the Welsh Assembly Government (£129,000 over 4 years), Cardiff Council (a £5,000 capital grant) and The Trusthouse Foundation (a £6,000 grant for a community outreach project).
We have raised almost £10,000 from more than 150 individual and community investors.