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Coventry University Leads European Project to Expand Community Kitchens Across 20 Cities
23 Oct 2026
The European Commission-funded ROOTED project brings together more than 50 kitchen-farmer coalitions across eight countries, connecting local food production with community kitchens to address food poverty, social exclusion and sustainability.
Coventry University is leading an international initiative to expand community kitchens across Europe, bringing together local farmers, food producers, researchers and public authorities to address food poverty and strengthen neighbourhood resilience.
The European Commission-funded ROOTED project involves more than 50 kitchen-farmer coalitions operating across 20 cities in eight countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary and Romania.
The initiative focuses on developing landed community kitchens (LCKs), shared spaces for cooking and eating that are directly connected to local agroecological farmers and producers. Beyond providing nutritious food, these kitchens aim to support education, employment opportunities, social inclusion and environmentally sustainable food systems.
Led by researchers at Coventry University's Research Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, the project brings together 26 partners, including Coventry City Council, other European public authorities and academic institutions such as Ghent University.
Community Kitchens as Neighbourhood Infrastructure
Unlike conventional food assistance programmes, landed community kitchens aim to address the wider social and economic circumstances that contribute to food insecurity.
By connecting kitchens directly with local farmers and producers, the project seeks to strengthen neighbourhood food supply networks while supporting fairer working conditions and more sustainable agricultural practices.
However, these arrangements face practical challenges. Some farmers struggle to transport their produce to community kitchens, while certain kitchens lack the financial resources to compensate growers and cooks adequately.
ROOTED will examine how existing kitchen-farmer partnerships operate, identify successful approaches and share that knowledge to support current initiatives and the development of new facilities.
The research will also inform policymakers about the infrastructure, funding and partnerships needed to make community kitchens sustainable over the long term.
Addressing Food Poverty, Education and Social Exclusion
Dr Chiara Tornaghi, from Coventry University's Research Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, is leading the international project.
Her long-term ambition is to see landed community kitchens established in every neighbourhood, becoming as accessible and familiar as primary schools.
“It is not just about food. These grassroots initiatives understand the complex needs that exist in their communities,” Tornaghi explains.
According to Tornaghi, the kitchens provide opportunities for people experiencing poverty, discrimination or exclusion from conventional education and employment systems.
Some participating initiatives are developing year-round food supply arrangements that allow kitchens to purchase produce while ensuring farmers receive fair compensation. Others offer practical training to help participants become professional cooks or growers.
The activities can also extend beyond cooking. Collaborative workshops involving artists, medical herbalists, chefs and somatic therapists provide opportunities for community learning in kitchens, gardens and farms.
These approaches aim to create more inclusive environments where people can develop skills, build relationships and participate in local economic activity.
A European Network Connecting 20 Cities
- 20 Cities involved
- 50+ Kitchen-farmer coalitions
- 26 Project partners
- Eight participating countries across Europe
The ROOTED partnership covers a diverse range of urban communities across eight European countries. By studying different local approaches, the project aims to identify which practices can be adapted to other neighbourhoods and municipal food systems.
The participating countries are:
| Region | Participating countries |
|---|---|
| Western Europe | United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Netherlands |
| Southern Europe | Italy |
| Northern Europe | Finland |
| Central and Eastern Europe | Hungary, Romania |
The research will examine how local producers, community organisations and municipal authorities can work together to improve food distribution, education and employment opportunities.
Findings will also help guide the development of new landed community kitchens and provide evidence for public policies supporting local food systems.
Coventry City Council Supports the Initiative
Coventry City Council is among the public authorities participating in ROOTED, positioning the city within a wider European effort to develop community-led food infrastructure.
Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, welcomed the partnership.
“We're proud to be working with Coventry University on ROOTED, a project that puts our city at the centre of an international conversation about how communities can feed themselves well, fairly and sustainably,” she said.
Kelly highlighted the wider benefits of community kitchens, including access to skills training, opportunities for employment and stronger relationships between residents.
The project also complements Coventry Grows, a local initiative supporting opportunities for communities to grow fresh, seasonal food.
By connecting kitchens with local producers, the council hopes to support a food system that is more resilient to rising prices and climate-related pressures.
Building More Sustainable and Inclusive European Cities
ROOTED reflects growing recognition that access to food is closely connected to wider urban challenges, including poverty, employment, environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.
Its approach positions community kitchens as neighbourhood infrastructure capable of supporting local agriculture while creating spaces for learning, cooperation and social participation.
“There is very real care for both people and the environment and a desire to transform the food system towards equity, justice and sustainability,” Tornaghi said.
Through international collaboration, ROOTED aims to strengthen existing kitchen-farmer coalitions and create practical guidance for communities interested in establishing similar initiatives.
For participating cities, the project offers an opportunity to rethink how food systems can support not only nutrition, but also stronger local economies, social inclusion and more resilient neighbourhoods.
About Coventry University Group
Coventry University Group is a global education organisation focused on teaching, research, innovation and knowledge transfer.
Its research activities address challenges including health, artificial intelligence, sustainability and social development. Through international partnerships, the university works with public institutions, businesses and communities to support education and economic development.
The ROOTED project is led by researchers from Coventry University's Research Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience.
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