Cumberland Council’s Food Partnership, in collaboration with Futureproof Cumbria, is inviting applications for funding to help local groups host Harvest Fest events during Autumn 2025 - celebrating the season’s end with food, community and climate-friendly choices.
Grants of up to £150 per project are available for constituted groups planning events that promote local food, healthy eating, and low-waste, plastic-free celebrations.
Menus might include locally sourced meat, seasonal vegetable dishes, and other low-carbon, climate-conscious options — all served without single-use plastics.
The initiative supports the aims of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, which is working to reduce carbon emissions across the region.
Val Ayre, Public Health Manager at Cumberland Council, said: "Food Cumberland is proud to support Autumn Harvest Fest 2025. These events are about more than just a meal — they’re a way for communities to come together around healthy, local produce, and to celebrate shared values around sustainability and wellbeing.
"We’d love to hear from tenants’ groups, schools, youth and sports clubs, health and disability support groups, churches, and more."
Helen Attewell, Coordinator of Cumbria Sustainability Network at Futureproof Cumbria, added: "By celebrating local food and cutting out waste — including packaging and single-use plates and cups — we can support our local growers, reduce our climate impact, and bring people together. It’s a win-win."
🗓 Deadline for applications: 12 September 2025
📄Apply for funding for your event: zerocarboncumbria.co.uk/host-a-harvest-fest
For further information surrounding these events and the funding available please contact:
Emma – Food Cumberland Partnership
📧 foodpartnership@cumberland.gov.uk