DISTRICT EATING

URBAN HORTICULTURE

DISTRICT EATING

District Eating is one of a very small number of UK companies that develop new sustainable horticulture projects within the UK. We are the only company that is working to develop both commercial and community owned greenhouses that utilise waste or Low Carbon heat and CO₂ to grow food, which incorporates training and skills development at the core of our activities.

We want to build facilities that produce sustainable food where we can train the next generation of growers in hydroponic food production and business development, creating a localised food economy and skills base. In 2018, the UK imported 80% of fruit and 44% of all vegetables consumed. We aim to reduce the carbon footprint and transportation costs of that process by growing right here in the UK. This brings economic and societal gains right to our doorstep, as well as reducing our environmental impact.

We are building a network of business incubator greenhouses and training facilities across the UK, working with growers and community groups to facilitate their access to indoor growing spaces.

We are responsible for researching, contacting and creating relationships with waste heat producers and growers with the Repowering the Black Country project. We will map this project using GIS software to identify potential areas for the zero-carbon industrial cluster. We will use our combined engineering experience and knowledge to create case studies for our results. Our team knowledge of low-carbon solutions, sustainable horticulture projects and energy engineering will also support the work of other partners and help in the push for social, environmental and economic changes in the Black Country.

 

Team Members

Faye Tomson BEng, CEM MEI image

Faye Tomson BEng, CEM MEI

Founder and Director


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Faye Tomson BEng, CEM MEI

Faye Tomson BEng, CEM MEI

Founder and Director


I am the Founder and Director of District Eating Ltd and have over 11 years’ experience working throughout the UK on large scale energy infrastructure projects. I have a First-Class BEng (Hons) in Energy and Environmental Engineering and I’m a Chartered Energy Manager, a Member of the Energy Institute as well as being an ESOS Lead Assessor, and CIBSE Heat Networks Consultant.

I have been pioneering the development of horticulture co-located with waste heat and Low Carbon energy systems in order to develop localised resilient food economies. I have worked with a wide cross-section of commercial, industrial, public and third sector clients in my career, and have a flair for stakeholder engagement, relationship building and developing novel and disruptive business strategies, including innovative funding mechanisms designed to channel investor money into Low Carbon projects.
District Eating is one of the partners in the BEIS Repowering the Black Country (RtBC) Project which will develop a Cluster Plan for the decarbonisation of the Black Country by 2040.

I will be managing the study for potential waste heat suppliers in the Black Country and contacting them to discover areas for the Zero Carbon industrial cluster. I will be overseeing and supporting my team with GIS mapping, contacting prospective companies and assessing areas for horticulture projects. 
I will also be involved in supporting other partners within the project and providing expert advice from my years of experience in this industry.

Dr. Michael Milner image

Dr. Michael Milner

Engineer


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Dr. Michael Milner

Dr. Michael Milner

Engineer


I am a highly qualified and experienced engineer with an extensive, practical experience of working with many sectors gained over 20 years including energy, horticulture, water utilities, food and drink, manufacturing, construction, historic & listed buildings, and leisure. 
I have led many projects from conception through to construction and have experience in regard to project design, build, financing and delivery. I am an experienced communicator at all levels within the corporate environment. I have a practical and pragmatic approach to work and consistently aim to deliver high quality realistic projects to clients. I am driven by a desire to make a difference at this crucial time of economic, environmental, and social change.

I work directly with Faye, leading the team on project development at District Eating. Our work with BEIS Repowering the Black Country (RtBC) Project has led me to identify waste heat producers in the area and use my experience in renewable energy engineering and carbon management to evaluate how applicable they are to this project. I provide management and oversight to the project and report on opportunities to implement social benefits such as social prescribing.

Dr. Kate Fox BSc, MRes image

Dr. Kate Fox BSc, MRes

Sustainability food professional


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Dr. Kate Fox BSc, MRes

Dr. Kate Fox BSc, MRes

Sustainability food professional


I am a sustainability food professional with experience in both conservation and sustainable food. Prior to joining the District Eating team, I worked at Leeds University assessing the sustainability of global fresh produce supply chains. I also have a Masters in Biodiversity and Conservation.

In previous work I found that much of the produce we take for granted on our supermarket shelves is not sustainable in the long term because of climate change, water shortages and developing socio political changes. 

I have expertise in multi-metric risk hot spotting in supply chains, climate scenario modelling, supply chain compliance and sustainability assessments.  I have a lifelong interest in conservation in the agricultural landscape and have experience on farm and landscape scale conservation projects. 

As a specialist in sustainable horticulture, I have been assembling a data base of horticultural businesses and waste heat and CO2 producing industries to try and match make opportunities for urban horticulture in existing locations, or the development of new Low Carbon hubs with target industries alongside vertical and hydroponic farms. Using market research and GIS we have collated opportunities and now look to create "coated" case studies for different horticultural businesses.

Pip Lorimer <br ./> Bsc image

Pip Lorimer
Bsc

Sustainability Consultant


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Pip Lorimer
Bsc

Pip Lorimer
Bsc

Sustainability Consultant


I am a Design Engineering graduate and focused on sustainability within design and analysing product life cycles during my studies. I researched solutions to reduce the environmental impact of everyday items, looking at alternative manufacturing methods and regenerative materials. I am currently working towards being a Chartered Engineer.

At District Eating I am a Sustainability Consultant. Previously to this, I worked at the UK’s first plastic packaging free LUSH store. In this role, I gained experience with the material buying team, worked with a reforestation programme and became confident in communicating about environmental awareness. I believe this role is a great way to contribute towards a better planet by producing food locally and inspiring new growers.

District Eating is one of the partners in the BEIS Repowering the Black Country (RtBC) Project which will develop a Cluster Plan for the decarbonisation of the Black Country by 2040. My role within this project includes finding details, contacting, and building relationships with potential waste heat suppliers. I also provide continuous support for the in-depth work that Mike, Kate and Faye do, such as market research, identifying co-ordinates for mapping studies and following-up with potential project interests. 

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