Selling produce

[Hans Mum]

Heres the definition of allotments
House of Commons - Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs - Minutes of Evidence

You need to be careful even though my site is self managed (ie we run it not the council) the land is leased from the council and our lease prohibits the sale of produce. The land is statutory allotment land. Allotments were not created for growing food to sell they were created for growing to feed your own family and although I'm sure we've all given some surplus (COURGETTES ) away theres a difference between surplus and growing for financial gain.

[simon12]

Purely out of interest why do some of you not like the idea of growing crops commercially on an allotment?

[Hans Mum]

Hi Simon, its not that I dont like the idea but allotments were not set up for commercial purposes. Google history of allotments and loads of stuff comes up and I think its important that allotment land is kept within the grasp of ordinary people to grow food the minute is becomes commercial rents will go through the roof and become errmmm 'commercial'.

If people want to grow commercially they need to rent other land in my humble opinion

[Bill HH]

I think the allotment act was brought in as a form of protection so that working people could grow their own. The word own is the key and not grow food to supply others for profit. As Hans Mum says once commercial interests come in all thought of allorments being places of pleasure for ordinary people would go.

[AllInContainers]

I agree that allotments should be for "personal use" not commercial enterprises. Waiting lists for plots are long enough as it is, without small businesses snaffling them up. If someone sells a few extras over the fence to their neighbour to recoup some costs, fair play - but not macro-farming for profit and denying genuine GYO enthusiasts valuable growing space.

[Olorin2001]

Purely out of interest why do some of you not like the idea of growing crops commercially on an allotment?

The rental agreement for Southampton Council allotments states you must not use your plot for any trade or business.

Allotments are covered by several acts of parliment and are for recreational use.
But on privately rented land you can grow whatever you want for whatever purpose you wish.