By Lizzie May
That’s a turnip for the books!
London’s community food growers have donated more than 3.5 tons of fresh food directly to those who need it through food banks.
Community Harvest, an initiative by London’s food growing network Capital Growth, has been working with 40 community gardens across London since July to deliver more than 3,500 kg of food to families.
The cabbage, carrot and zucchini crusade for fresh fruits and vegetables took place in the gardens of South London, Mitcham Community Orchard and Phipps Bridge Community Garden, both in Mitcham.
One anonymous service user said, “This is wonderful because I can give my family a balanced meal.
“There is always a choice of fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables.”
Steve Verrall, manager of the Rainbow Community Center in Barnet, who received products from the initiative, said: “The food has been well received by all of our customers, many of whom would not be able to support themselves and their families without us.
“Without the donation, our customers would mostly have dried and canned food that don’t offer enough variety or food. This is a great initiative that has helped many individuals and families. “
“While Community Harvest was not set up to solve major food poverty problems, it has shown how urban gardens can provide large quantities of healthy food for local areas.”
Andy Smith of the Putney Youth Empowerment Organization Regenerate, recipient of the fresh produce, said: “One family was overwhelmed by the way they could see from their kitchen table where the food was being grown.
“This is extra support every week and a lifeline for many.”
Fiona McAllister, Capital Growth Coordinator, stated that the benefits of the project go beyond just providing food.
She said, “We were overwhelmed by the sense of community among those who grow and maintain the food.”
Further information can be found at: https://www.capitalgrowth.org/community_harvest/
Image above: Community gardeners (Image: tansy honey)
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