Page 38 - ALG Issue 1 2023

readers articles
Growing vegetables for the Food Bank
Hello, my name is Teresa Edmans,
and I am passionate about growing organic vegetables and fruit on our plot on Hoxton Manor Allotments in North East London. I have had my plot since 2006. Since retiring recently, I aim to be self-sufficient in seasonal produce using methods which improve soil health through No Dig, encouraging nature and recycling. During lockdown, I offered any surplus produce I had to the Highams Park Food Bank Hub, which they were delighted to receive.
After lockdown, at the beginning of 2022, I was contacted by the food bank asking if I had any more vegetables
to offer them as demand had grown, but donations had dropped. There are currently 75 families with a further 250 individuals using the food bank each week. This is increasing by a further five families every week where one adult is in work.
Due to Covid, not all the plots had been allocated and I asked the allotment Chair if I could grow for the local food bank on one of the vacant half plots for the current growing season. This was agreed on the understanding the plot would then be allocated to someone on the waiting list in September 2022.
I soon realised I needed help; I couldn’t manage my own plot as well as taking on another vacant half plot, so I advertised on my local Facebook page asking for volunteers. I had the know- how and could grow starter plants, but I needed people to maintain the plot, plant, crop and deliver the produce.
I managed to recruit three volunteers who had never grown vegetables before, but that didn’t matter as I was happy to teach them. The volunteers used my tools and equipment – nothing like going to get your favourite hoe only to find someone is using it, but a small price to pay for great dedicated people who were growing in confidence.
Volunteer Joy Ashwin said: “It is great to be involved in such a worthwhile and essential project. We also get so much from it: friendship, enjoying outdoors space and valuable learning experience. It’s a win-win.”
Linda Gracey added: “I was a complete beginner at growing vegetables and I have learnt so much in this first season. It’s so satisfying being able to produce beautiful vegetables for the food bank. Very often no fresh food is provided by food banks or is offered approaching its
It is great to be involved in such a worthwhile and essential project. We also get so much from it: friendship, enjoying outdoors space and valuable learning experience. It’s a win- win
sell by date, whereas we harvest our veg and deliver within half an hour. I have made new friends and enjoy the whole experience of working with others and learning from them. We also have a lot of fun.”
Over this summer, and despite the
hot dry weather, we have managed to supply fruit and vegetables to the value of £2,229.00 to the food bank. Most of this we grew, but we did receive some donations from other plotholders who had surplus.
I have now applied for a small community start up grant from the council to buy basic equipment, so I
get my hoe back and I am confident
we can increase our contribution next year. Volunteers Susan Nastrucci, Linda Gracey and Joy Ashwin will be talking to staff and users of the food bank to ask them what vegetables we might grow next year, so that we can reflect the diverse needs of our community.
Teresa Edmans,
Hoxton Manor Allotments
Image credit: I have permission by the volunteers to use their names and photos.
38 Allotment and Leisure Gardener