Selling produce?

[zazen999]

I have to say that Snadger; if someone was kicked off site for selling produce and tried to sue the magazine for advice given on here they wouldn't be happy bunnies.

In the allotment advice section, there is a link to the allotment holder's handbook; it is well worth reading if you are a new allotment holder. I used to read it avidly whilst waiting to come to the top of the list

[Snadger]

I have to say that Snadger; if someone was kicked off site for selling produce and tried to sue the magazine for advice given on here they wouldn't be happy bunnies.

In the allotment advice section, there is a link to the allotment holder's handbook; it is well worth reading if you are a new allotment holder. I used to read it avidly whilst waiting to come to the top of the list

Point taken!

[weekendwellies]

I suggest offering surplus (after preserving) to neighbours, friends and workmates. Obviously, charging is a bit iffy, but how about barter. Maybe you could ask them for seeds in return for your produce., perhaps a few of them could club together for some tools, compost, pots, or stuff like that. I think it is a shame to grow good food and have it go to waste because you have too much all at once - not to mention the physical effort involved in all that digging and weeding. I dont see why you shouldnt be able to get a little bit of reward from it, so long as you arent thinking of starting up your own greengrocers shop, where is the harm in clawing back a bit of the cost to put back into the land.

[janeyo]

I wish I had enough surplus to sell....my mum and dad turn up with empty bags then leave with bulging bags....emm

At least they are recycling their bags lol

[bluemoon]

Yes, our council allotment is very definite on selling produce - it should not be done, and I agree as who wants to spend their hobby time next to someone who is desperately trying to make a profit. There is no such rule on our private site, which is why I can sell my eggs as that's where I keep my chickens, though at 60p for half a dozen I'm not going to be the next Richard Branson, I do put the money towards the next bag of feed though.

[flowerofshona]

our site does a few shows a year and we rafflethe produce off to raise funds for the site but and produce that we dont need for the main stand is offered for donations as we are not allowed to sell it !
I love giving some away to friends and neighbours and half a doz eggs makes a nice thank you gift

[Paulottie]

I have to say that Snadger; if someone was kicked off site for selling produce and tried to sue the magazine for advice given on here they wouldn't be happy bunnies.

Oh for goodness sake!...its an open forum. Nobody has to follow anyone else's 'advice.' The magazine cannot be held responsible for the opinions and suggestions of posters.

let's clarify here....individual allotment rules may apply but:

The law states (1922 act) that an allotment be wholly or mainly cultivated for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by the occupier or his family. Legally you may sell gluts away from the site. Growing a few flowers or selling, bartering or giving of surplus is not a problem most places but of course definitions of 'surplus' can be a grey area. However, you may not conduct any business on an allotment site. (although most sites turn a blind eye to this for there own allotment shops. profits often going to the association anyway)

Councils are infact allowed to rent the land to commercial growers if they cannot find other tenants(although this must be reviewed each year should a worthier recipient apply. (not an issue as they are so oversubscribed at the moment.)

so is it desirable?

As mentioned earlier there are many folk who want to get away from commercial concerns at their allotments. Also the whole gift thing is to be treasured.

The other side of the coin might be that it is a good thing that you club together and sell your excesses to healthily feed the community with lower food miles/ environmental impact etc. and encourage more local production. It can also fund allotment societies, improvements to the facilities and/or equipment.

Its also quite hard to make money at (when you get down to hourly rates.) and quite easy to spot commercial activity.

[Matt.]

Councils are infact allowed to rent the land to commercial growers if they cannot find other tenants(although this must be reviewed each year should a worthier recipient apply. (not an issue as they are so oversubscribed at the moment.)

I think this is exactly the situation we have. Originally the site was huge with hundreds of plots. As demand dwindled it got consolidated into one field. The second field is now used by a farmer to grow hay so no doubt he rents from the council. Access to the site is through this field so it must still be council owned.

[zazen999]

Oh for goodness sake!...its an open forum. Nobody has to follow anyone else's 'advice.' The magazine cannot be held responsible for the opinions and suggestions of posters.

let's clarify here....individual allotment rules may apply but:

The law states (1922 act) that an allotment be wholly or mainly cultivated for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by the occupier or his family. Legally you may sell gluts away from the site. Growing a few flowers or selling, bartering or giving of surplus is not a problem most places but of course definitions of 'surplus' can be a grey area. However, you may not conduct any business on an allotment site. (although most sites turn a blind eye to this for there own allotment shops. profits often going to the association anyway)

Councils are infact allowed to rent the land to commercial growers if they cannot find other tenants(although this must be reviewed each year should a worthier recipient apply. (not an issue as they are so oversubscribed at the moment.)

so is it desirable?

As mentioned earlier there are many folk who want to get away from commercial concerns at their allotments. Also the whole gift thing is to be treasured.

The other side of the coin might be that it is a good thing that you club together and sell your excesses to healthily feed the community with lower food miles/ environmental impact etc. and encourage more local production. It can also fund allotment societies, improvements to the facilities and/or equipment.

Its also quite hard to make money at (when you get down to hourly rates.) and quite easy to spot commercial activity.

'Tis not an open forum. It is run by the people at the Grow Your Own Magazine. If you have a look at the top of the page, it is quite clear who provides this forum for people.

And people have been thrown off site for selling their produce.

What have you got against us warning people that this is an issue?

http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/131012.pdf

[Paulottie]

What have you got against us warning people that this is an issue?

http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/131012.pdf

Nothing, but to suggest that litigation against Aceville publications will result from someone being inspired by someone else admitting they used to sell some of their excesses, is alarmist nonsense and detracts from the issue/debate.

I have explained the law above and nobody is inciting or even suggesting anyone else break it. If a plotholder starts a market garden they should, rightly, be chucked off their site. Simply that; so in what way is Aceville or any Grape responsible?

I wasn't aware there was a restriction on Membership and anyone can read this without logging on.....seems a pretty 'open' forum to me.

We digress from the the thread.

[SarzWix]

As mods, we have the right and the responsibility to point out these things, I don't think Andrea needs to be berated for being cautious. Don't make a hoo-haa out of a simple 'be careful' statement Paul.

[Storming Norman]

I think a small box outside your house with an honesty box attached asking for contributions towards seeds/compost would not be selling as such would it?

It would be unmanned after all.

It would be nice to cover the cost of compost.

[Hazel at the Hill]

It's the exchange of money thing that's a problem, I think.

So - erring on the cautious side - I'd say that selling for money isn't on (inc. car boots), whoever owns your allotment site (and even honesty boxes are a bit near the line), BUT I would have thought that most allotments have an informal arrangement of swapsies - eg 'oi, plot neighbour, I've just planted out some seedlings - do you want the left overs?' or 'bloody hell, I can't move for courgettes, please take these away!!!'.

I give excess produce to family and friends, and homemade anything is a jolly useful 'thank you' for cat sitting duties by my neighbours!

It would just be too devastating to inadvertantly break the rules & lose your plot!

[Paulottie]

Yes, it would be selling ... whether you are there or not. As I said ...it is allowed in law as long as it is not the main business and as long as you are not selling on the allotments.

Just as a disclaimer: I DON'T think allotments should be a place of business or profit, As Andrea and Hazel have pointed out take care because most sites take a dim view of it and you may be rightly challenged and evicted if it is more than disposing of the odd glut. I only speak as someone who has had an allotment for nearly 10 years, who manages a site and who has actually read the allotment acts. I don't speak for Aceville publications, I am not a lawyer and I am not responsible for your decisions.

Just for the record. I think this could have been an interesting and topical debate that has been dumbed down, for no reason, by the moderators. Instead of being patronised and told not to cause a' hoo-haa.' Perhaps people might be allowed to engage in discussion and make up their own minds when armed with the FACTS.

There are several sites that are now putting food into the local economy and a far sighted view might see more allotments created on a more commercial basis to sustain the local population. Whilst we must protect allotments as they stand there is a compelling case to feed our communities sustainably and locally.

[zazen999]

Some say dumbing down, some say keeping people aware of the risks. I know which camp I'd rather be in.