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Allotment Growers
SIMPLE GUIDE 03
Allotment Growers
Allotment Growers can use GrowHive to reach local customers, but before listing fruit, vegetables or surplus produce for sale, there is one important thing you need to check.
QUICK ANSWER
Can I sell produce grown on my allotment?
Maybe. Allotment Growers must first check the rules of their allotment, tenancy agreement, council, landlord or allotment association before selling produce.
Some allotments prohibit selling produce or carrying on any business activity. Other arrangements may allow limited disposal of genuine surplus produce.
Always check your own agreement before listing allotment-grown produce on GrowHive.
YOUR OWN GARDEN
Home-grown produce
If you grow produce on land you own or control at home, allotment tenancy rules normally do not apply.
Other food, business and local requirements may still apply depending on how regularly you sell.
RENTED ALLOTMENT
Allotment-grown produce
An allotment is normally occupied under a tenancy, licence or site agreement.
That agreement can restrict whether produce may be sold or whether commercial activity is allowed.
01
FIRST THING TO DO
Check your tenancy or site rules
Your allotment agreement is the most important document to check.
Look for wording about selling produce, commercial use, trade, business activity, visitors, advertising or using the allotment for personal use only.
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Read your allotment tenancy agreement.
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Check any separate allotment or site rules.
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Check your council's allotment conditions.
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Ask your allotment association if your site is independently managed.
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Get clarification if the wording is unclear.
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Keep any written permission you are given.
02
RULES DIFFER
Don't assume every allotment is the same
Allotment rules can differ between councils, associations and individual sites.
A neighbouring council allowing something does not mean your own allotment automatically allows it.
An online sale is still a sale
Do not assume that selling through GrowHive avoids an allotment restriction simply because payment takes place online or the customer collects somewhere else.
If your agreement prohibits selling produce grown on the allotment, moving the transaction away from the allotment may not change that restriction.
03
CUSTOMER COLLECTION
Can customers come to my allotment?
This is another thing that must not be assumed.
Some allotment sites have restrictions on public access, visitors, vehicles, gates, parking or commercial activity.
Check visitor rules
Make sure customers are actually permitted onto the allotment site.
Check collection rules
Your site may prohibit commercial collections even if normal visitors are allowed.
Use another location
If appropriate and permitted, arrange collection somewhere away from the allotment site.
GrowHive tip
If customer access to your allotment is restricted, don't advertise the allotment itself as the collection address.
04
SURPLUS PRODUCE
What if I've simply grown too much?
Having genuine surplus does not automatically override the terms of your allotment agreement.
Some arrangements may tolerate or permit small amounts of genuine surplus being sold or passed on. Others expressly prohibit the sale of allotment-grown produce.
THE SIMPLE RULE
Permission first. Listing second.
If your agreement allows you to sell your surplus, GrowHive can help you find local customers.
If your agreement prohibits selling, do not list that allotment-grown produce for sale on GrowHive.
05
IF YOU CANNOT SELL
Your surplus doesn't have to go to waste
If your allotment rules do not permit you to sell produce, there may still be other permitted ways to prevent genuine surplus from being wasted.
Always check your site's rules before donating,
exchanging or distributing produce if you are unsure
what your agreement permits.
ORGANIC CLAIMS
Allotment-grown does not automatically mean Organic
Even if you avoid artificial pesticides or fertilisers, you must not automatically advertise the produce as organic.
Organic is a regulated claim and GrowHive will handle certified organic produce separately.
ON GROWHIVE
Allotment Growers are responsible for permission
GrowHive cannot know the individual rules for every allotment site in the UK, so Allotment Growers must confirm that selling their produce is permitted before creating a listing.
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I have checked the rules or agreement for the
allotment I use.
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I confirm that I have permission to sell the produce
I list.
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I understand that I am responsible for complying
with my allotment tenancy or site rules.
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I will not arrange customer access to the allotment
where this is prohibited.
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My GrowHive listings will accurately describe
where and how my produce was grown.
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I agree to follow the GrowHive Grower Rules.
NOT SURE?
Ask before you list
Contact whoever manages your allotment â normally your council, allotment association, parish or town council, landlord or site manager.
Ask them directly: âAm I permitted to sell surplus produce grown on my allotment?â
Allotments are primarily intended for personal growing
Allotment legislation and individual tenancy arrangements are built around allotments being used primarily for growing food for the occupier and their household rather than operating a commercial growing business.
The exact rules that apply to an individual grower depend on their location, site and agreement.
About this guidance
This is general GrowHive guidance for Allotment Growers. GrowHive does not determine whether an individual allotment tenancy permits selling. Growers are responsible for checking their own tenancy agreement, site rules and any requirements imposed by their council, landlord or allotment association before listing produce for sale.