City-wide vegetable patches set for approval

A scheme was announced last summer to create York’s first public vegetable patch to give passers-by access to a free supply of fresh food in the hope of improving diets and reducing obesity.

York Council’s executive will meet next week when members are due to discuss a range of initiatives to promote the project across the city.

Proposals include a six-month pilot to create a collection point for garden tools at the household recycling centre in Hazel Court.

The Edible York scheme is also due to be publicised on the council’s website, and a team of mentors is to be recruited to help establish the allotments with community groups and schools.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that one of the most ambitious elements is aiming to use the experience of veteran gardeners to help young families and novice horticulturists develop their own skills.

The advent of supermarket shopping and convenience foods has been blamed on a gradual erosion of gardening skills.

The Edible York community organisation linked up with the council last July to transform an under-used plot of land on Paragon Street by planting vegetables.

The Paragon Street bed has provided passers-by with salads, kale, squash, courgettes, beans and fresh herbs.

It is hoped that the initiative will follow on from the success of trailblazing projects such as the Incredible Edible Todmorden scheme, which has established plots where the public can pick their own fruit and vegetables.

A review was launched in December last year to analyse how a similar scheme could operate across York. The council’s executive will meet on Tuesday next week to discuss the proposals for the city-wide project.