The food-growing possibilities of a small space were amply demonstrated this week at the Phoenix Community Centre, which hosted a tree-planting event in its tiny but immensely productive garden.

Working with Brighton Permaculture Trust, volunteers planted apple and pear trees that are grown as cordons - as a single stem against a wall (in background of picture) - allowing the Phoenix gardeners to make the best use of the centre's restricted outdoor space.

After a brief garden tour, seeing the clever use of raised beds and hearing about plans for storing water from neighbouring roofs, I went inside for a delicious meal that included some of the garden produce.

According to Harvest Brighton & Hove, which brings together different organisations interested in food, there are over 60 community groups in the city involved in growing food.

And the Phoenix Centre's garden clearly makes a positive contribution to the lives of the volunteer gardeners, visitors to the centre - and to lunch guests!

The visit kindled an idea I've been mulling for a while: after Michelle Obama's spadework at the White House, could Parliament get food-producing too?

Left to right: David Morgan, Technical Support Officer at the Friends Centre;  Caroline; Paul Tilley, Chair of the Phoenix Community Centre Management Committee; Mike Brookman, volunteer; Anne Thornelow, volunteer; Jack Skinner, Sustainability Manager at Hyde Housing Group; Ollie Canham, Centre Co-ordinator