Bread and the City

Bread and the City is a day long event led by artist Laura Wilson that explores the political, economic and social impact of food industrialisation and cities on our health.

Commencing with a free communal lunch followed by screenings and discussions Bread and the City includes contributions from Laura Wilson, writers Jane Levi and Carolyn Steel, and artist and curator Jo Capper.

Bread and the City has evolved from Laura’s ongoing research project Trained on Veda, a project that connects bakeries and galleries nationally and continues her interest into the historical agency of materials. Trained on Veda was initiated during Wilson’s residency at Delfina Foundation in 2016, and is developed with TACO!, Site Gallery, Grand Union and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. Supported by Arts Council England.

As part of the project Laura has been working with Marc Darvell from Darvells, a family run bakery in Chesham to make a malted loaf inspired by this history. Trained on Veda aims to reintroduce veda bread to mainland UK again collaborating with a network of galleries & bakeries, enabling people to taste this historic bread and to generate discussion.

Veda bread is a dark brown malt loaf which was created in 1900, and became popular across the UK in the early part of the 20th Century and bakeries selling veda bread opened in most cities across the UK. It had a uniquely malted taste, which was easily digestible, full of vitamins and a long shelf-life (five to seven days) and due to its unique properties it was sent out to the soldiers in WW1 as it would reach the trenches fresh, and would keep them healthy. Today it is only made in Northern Ireland.

For further details about the project go to www.trainedonveda.com