Timebank turns focus on ending food poverty
The Timebank volunteers of Highland Perthshire have come up with an initiative to help combat food poverty and improve social connections by growing food at home.
The ‘Grow to Give’ food campaign devised and developed by the Tay Valley Timebank was launched this week.
Grow to Give aims to encourage and support sharing by people across the communities of Aberfeldy, Kenmore and surrounding areas in Highland Perthshire. It urges people to get involved with growing and sharing vegetables, fruit and herbs.
This initiative was developed as a local response to national news that an estimated two million households that will move into food poverty in the UK this year as a result of the pandemic. It has also been developed as a response to the Scottish Government’s vision to increase health and wellbeing in communities through growing and sharing fruit, vegetables and herbs and supports Perth and Kinross’s Food Growing Strategy.
Giles Conisbee from the Tay Valley Timebank explained: “From growing a few herbs on your windowsill or a plant pot on your patio, to growing veg in your garden, we want to encourage and support as many people as possible to grow and share food, to increase connectivity in our area.
“We want you to grow with us and to grow a community - one that is cohesive, strong and resilient. That’s the ultimate goal.
“One of the ways you can get involved is to request a free pot. It comes with fresh soil, and mystery seeds.
“There are loads of other ways to get involved, I’d encourage readers to go to our website or Facebook page to find out more.”
The Timebank team will also be at the Aberfeldy Farmers’ Market on Sunday, May 2.
Gilles added: “You’ll be able to pick up a free pot, seeds and produce on the day.
We’d also welcome fresh food donations – let loose your leeks or exchange runner beans for kale.
“And for those who don’t have any space to grow, don’t let that stop you. We are hoping to facilitate a ‘lend and tend’ scheme.
“In this way we hope to match those who are able to share a part of your garden with other growers.
“The scope of this project also extends to our ambition to identify new areas to grow fruit and vegetables as well as encouraging everyone to engage with other initiatives such as local community gardens, or why not volunteer for the biodynamic garden in Camsersney?
“We also aim to work with Duke of Edinburgh Award participants and local primary and secondary schools to support and encourage intergenerational volunteering.
“We recently joined the Generations Working Together charity, to help foster and frame these ambitions.”
See www.tayvalleytimebank.com