Give residents practical help

Before we yet again hear them talk about food handouts and poverty, I ask councillors at the New Plymouth District Council the following question: What community horticulture or vegetable gardening courses are available to low income people or families?

I live in a Kainga Ora house in an area where there are many of these families.

My property is very large.

It is 40 metres by 26 metres, like many properties in this area. However, very few residents plant a vegetable or get vegetable garden direction.

I must say you can’t buy Kentucky Fried Chicken plants.

I have lived in this area for over five years now and never received any advice from councillors or Kainga Ora management.

Handouts should be a last resort.

Why not hand out vegetable plants instead?

Ian Mcalpine, New Plymouth