Each week, the Gazette takes to the streets to unearth something being manufactured right here in Hackney. But this week we didn’t have to look too far: a bag of locally grown Hackney Salad was lurking in The Editor’s fridge...

Urban farmers are growing award-winning salad on organic plots across Hackney.

Growing Communities, the not-for-profit company that makes the salad, also sells fruit, veg, jam and sauce. It was the first certified organic producers from London.

It has a plot at Springfield Park with a large polytunnel for growing salad, tomatoes and melons. It also has plots at Clissold Park, Allens Gardens and Hackney Tree Nursery. The aim is to provide alternatives to the globalised food system by establishing a strong local farming community – “one carrot at a time”.

The farm is run by volunteers and anyone can help. You can buy Hackney Salad at St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington, between 10am and 2.30pm on Saturdays. Other people there sell chocolate, cheese, cake and milk from within a 60-mile radius.

Hackney Salad won “best London leaves” in the Urban Food Awards two years ago.

See growingcommunities.org for more.