Just One More – FoodWise

Heard of Carlin Sunday?

By Zoe Parker

Published 25th March 2025

We recently had a discussion in our local community about Carlin peas, a type of traditional northern mushy peas. A few people shared memories of “Carlin Sunday,” a special day dedicated to these peas, which falls on April 6 this year. This tradition is particularly popular in northern England, where Carlin peas, also known as black peas or black badgers, are enjoyed.

One person recalled celebrating Carlin Sunday in the 1970s in Batley, traditionally on the fifth Sunday in Lent, which again falls in April this year. Others remembered eating these flavorful peas with a ham bone during Bonfire Night celebrations in the 1970s.

Inspired by these stories, we’re excited to highlight this traditional ingredient and encourage you to try them. Carlin peas have been grown in Britain for centuries, though they are not as widely known today. They offer a creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet taste and can be a nutritious addition to your meals. They are economical, have a long shelf life of 6-12 months, and are ideal for sprouting. Here are some suggestions for cooking them, places where you might find them, and reasons why they deserve a place in your kitchen. Why not give them a try this Carlin Sunday?

Hodmedods say:

“Why on earth aren’t these beauties in every kitchen cupboard?!’ Was definitely our first thought when we started cooking with them – let’s put that right”

“And with just one spoon from the jar – seriously, they taste like banging old school mushy peas – we truly think you’ll be convinced. Give them a go!” – Bold Bean Co

Buy directly from Holland and Barrett stores nationwide. You can also buy them ready prepared by Bold Bean Co’s Queen Carlin Peas at @waitrose or direct from @hodmedods. You can find lots of carlin pea recipes and ideas about ways you can use carlin peas in the Useful Links section. Enjoy Carlin peas in hummus, stews, or with your fish and chips.

Northern Seed Sovereignty in partnership with Middlesbrough Environment City, are hosting an afternoon devoted to this special pea, which is significant to Middlesborough. They’ll be cooking with it, eating it, and growing it and sharing stories of its history in the north east of England. For those of you based or visiting Middlesborough, you can book your ticket to ‘Carlin Wednesday’ using this link. This event is a collaborative activity between the Gaia Foundation‘s Seed Sovereignty Programme and Middlesbrough Environment City and is part of the Northern Pulse Collaboration.

#NorthernPulseCollaboration is a brilliant collaborative project that’s looking at growing, cooking and eating more pulse crops across the region -including the amazing Carlin Peas. Find out more here.

Share the pulse love! Can you use your networks and
connectedness to spread the message far and wide?

Let’s build a pulse movement! Will you celebrate Carlin Sunday? Let us know in the comments!

500 Food Actions for a Slice of Silver

By Zoe Parker

Published 18th July 2024

As FoodWise Leeds, we work with people from across the city to deliver the Leeds Food Strategy. In 2019, Leeds was awarded a Bronze Award from Sustainable Food Places (SFP). More about these awards here. Our aim is for Leeds to achieve the Silver Award and eventually the Gold.

But we can’t do it without you.

The next step in achieving these aims, is to reach our target of 500 Individual Good Food Actions.

Will you help us do that?

By telling us about the good food actions you are taking, we can know the impact we are making collectively as a city. Whether you are reducing food waste, eating healthier food or learning how to grow your own veg, every action matters.

And we want to know about your actions.

Every Action Counts and gets us one step closer to our goal.

As an example of how simple it is to get started, I thought I’d share my own food story.

I stumbled upon FoodWise Leeds about a year back during an event at Leftbank Leeds. At the time, I was intrigued and perhaps a little daunted by the idea of growing my own veggies, and so I decided to attend a workshop organized by Feed Leeds. At that point, I had just about been able to keep all my indoor plants alive for a whole year (and I was pretty excited about that!)

The workshop turned out to be a game-changer for me. I was really inspired by Feed Leeds. It was such a large network of growers across the city and they introduced to us some brilliant ideas: like ‘Little Veg Libraries’ and #SowaRowXtra – simple schemes that I thought had the potential to really help new growers like me get growing. I left that session with two free tomato plants and enough growing ‘know how’ to get me started. And that was just the beginning of my food journey.

Now I grow my own salad veg, and herbs, as well as climbing roses that the bees absolutely adore. This all grows in pots and old tyres in what was an ugly unused area in a communal concrete yard. A real transformation with very little effort – now the space is peaceful, pretty and a nice place to sit and watch nature.

I‘ve taken many more actions since that first tomato plant: like eating more fresh and locally sourced veg, wasting less food by using it up in home-made soups; and switching to locally made compost. I’m now beginning my own bokashi composting system and am considering community composting to turn my food waste into nutrient-rich soil for the local area. I could never have predicted a year ago where one free workshop would lead.

You can help us reach our target of 500 by telling us about the actions you are taking and encouraging others to take action. We’d also love for any organisations or food businesses to join us in taking action too! For more examples of what we’re looking for, take a look at our Take Action pages for individuals, organisations and food businesses.

Together we can create a healthy, sustainable and fairer food system for everyone in Leeds.

Join us and eat ‘Just One More’

By Zoe Parker

Published 17th June 2024

Just One More is a local campaign to encourage people across Leeds to eat ‘Just One More’ portion of vegetables every day. It has been running successfully for the past 3 years and will be back in 2025.

Why is it needed?

Almost half of the adults in Leeds eat fewer than five portions of fruit or vegetables per day. When good food is hard to afford and access, our health and wellbeing suffers. By encouraging more people in Leeds to eat a healthy, nutritious diet that aligns with the NHS recommended EatWell guidelines, we can help improve their health and wellbeing. And because diets that are good for us tend to be better for the planet too, doing so will accelerate our journey to become a net zero city.

Why eat more veg?

Studies have shown that increasing vegetable consumption can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Vegetables are rich in essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that support overall health and immune function. More veggies in your diet has also been linked to improved mood and performance at work and in study as well as improved weight management.

Choosing locally sourced and organic vegetables also has a positive impact on the environment with plant-based foods having lower carbon emissions, reduced emissions to transport goods, as well as supporting the local economy.

3 images beans and lentils nutrient ricj cheap and good for the planet a man with veg behind 3 ppl growing food in a community garden

A Thank You

Thanks to all of you who have got involved already, sharing posters at work, taking part in activities and commenting. Below two of the top veg tips and comments shared on social media.

“Love baked beans. They pack a mighty nutritional pinch for very little money. We surveyed yum pantry users a few months back about baked beans and they said the best brand by far was Bransons. ”

“Keep frozen vegetables on hand for quick additions to any dish & what about puree cooked vegetables like cauliflower or sweet potatoes to create creamy base for soups without adding dairy or tomatoes, peppers, carrots & spinach into pasta sauces, curries, or gravies. #justonemore“

“Just canvassed the team and we’re loving chickpeas. They’re a great addition to soups stews salads sandwiches you name it & a great vegetarian protein source. And if you like chickpeas, you’re going to love roasted chickpeas…try it! Drizzle, roast, eat, repeat.”

Why not get involved in the campaign by running your own work Veg Bingo, share pics of what veg you are eating, or simply get involved in the conversation on social media.

Want to know more?

We have loads of brilliant resources on the our website under Just one More. Follow our Instagram and facebook for some brilliant vegtastic food reels: from pickled cabbage (Sauerkraut) to more masterful culinary delights packed full of veg. You can also check out recipes on our website.

Some further useful resources, campaigns and research articles below. Click each heading for further information.

Food Foundation / Peas Please – research and statistics about veg consumption and it’s impacts. Peas Please campaign did impactful work to improve veg consumption nationally.

Eat them to defeat them Eat Them To Defeat Them is the award-winning campaign from Veg Power and ITV that gets kids eating more veg. This website is packed full of fun, expert advice and useful resources to help schools, caterers and families to get their children eating more veg.

Leeds Food Strategy The Leeds Food Strategy sets out our vision for the future of how we produce, consume, and dispose of food across Leeds. At the heart of this strategy is a vision for Leeds to have a vibrant food economy where everyone can access local, healthy, and affordable food that is produced in ways that improve our natural environment and embrace innovation.

Healthy Start The Healthy Start scheme helps families on low incomes to buy fruit, vegetables and milk (with vouchers). In Leeds, we aim to ensure all families have access to healthy and affordable food.

Prashad Yorkshire’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand & 2 AA Rosette awarded restaurant. Gujarati & vegetarian menu. Convert a Carnivore is a recent campaign challenging meat eaters not to love a free meal of vegetarian Indian Cuisine