Gardeners putting FOOD on the table
FRESH, ORGANIC PRODUCE FOR THOSE IN NEED IN FOODBANK PARTNERSHIP
If other societies got involved we could be sending vast amounts of fruit and vegetables to deprived areas across the city. David Galliers
GARDENERS have teamed up with the Coventry Foodbank to supply surplus fruit and vegetables to local people in need.
Volunteers from Earlsdon and Beechwood Allotment Societies take fresh produce to the foodbank hub every Monday.
The produce then gets delivered to foodbanks across the city, where people in need can get food and essential supplies.
The scheme has been running since the start of the main growing season in June, and has seen a variety of fruit and vegetables including potatoes, beetroot, plums and apples shared with those in need.
Earlsdon Allotment Society Committee member David Galliers is keen to get other allotment societies in the city on board.
He said: “If other societies got involved we could be sending vast amounts of fruit and vegetables to deprived areas across the city.
“The allotment was set up in the 1920s for poor workers to grow their own vegetables.
“What we’re doing is like a modern twist on the original idea – growing fresh produce for those who cannot afford to feed their families.”
Contributors fill up the boot of David’s car with fresh, healthy and mostly organic produce every week, which they pick the night before.
With the number of people using foodbanks rising nationally, David’s team were more than happy to help.
“When we suggested the idea at the annual meeting members of the society were very enthusiastic.
“Many of us feel it’s criminal that we have to have foodbanks in such a rich country like Britain, so we are all very pleased that we can make a bit of a contribution to those less well off.” Hugh McNeill, Manager of Coventry Foodbank said: “Coventry Foodbank is one of the largest in the UK. We give out three days worth of emergency food to people in crisis and feed around 1400 people a month in the city. “When David approached us and asked if we’d be interested in taking some of the produce from the allotment we said we’d be delighted to. It’s fresh and organic – everything about it is the best you can get – and it supplements the diets of the people that use our foodbank.”
The summer holidays are a particularly busy time for foodbanks as some families struggle to feed children who would usually get free school meals.
The Trussell Trust, which runs Coventry Foodbank – one of the busiest in the country, said it saw a 17 per cent rise in demand for food during the last summer holidays in the West Midlands.