Allotments
Chart #29 shows the distribution of experience with allotments amongst those surveyed. Only 8 of the overall group have an allotment. 7 are working theirs, 3 are working more than one. All 7 of those working their allotments are growing 3 or 4 food types. 4 of the 7 live in neighbourhood #1, 1 each lives in each of the other neighbourhoods.
6 of the 7 have at least a first degree. 6 expressed above midrange concern for food supply. 6 expressed midrange or higher concern for food prices. 4 purchase organic 30% or less even though all of them practise organic gardening.
It is likely that the high concern for food supply coupled with the practise of growing organic food results in a steady supply of organic food for the household which allows these folks, 5 of the 7 of whom are in the 11 to 30k bracket, to save by not purchasing as much organic food. The 2 who purchase 75 to 90% organic are in higher income groups.
As we saw with the home growers, health concerns likely predominate as motivators. 5 indicate that they grow for the freshest produce, none smoke, all are careful about their nutrition, 4 exercise 4 times per week or more, 5 drink 5 to 6 drinks per week or less.
Based on the data from the questionnaire, having higher education appears to increase the probability of growing food and that in itself appears to increase the probability of having an allotment but overall, allotments have very little bearing on the subjects in this study. 78% of households have 0 to minimal experience with allotments.
The primary reasons cited by my cohort for not taking an allotment, see chart #30, are lack of time, lack of confidence that they could handle the amount of work involved alone, too long a wait to get one, and lack of proximity.
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