Grow-your-own food crusade in city gathering momentum

A progress report due to go before York Council’s executive next week has revealed the scheme, which saw the creation of York’s first public vegetable patch in a bid to improve diets and reduce obesity, is being successfully rolled out across the city.

Following the launch of the first patch next to York Barbican last year, which allows passers-by access to a free supply of fresh food, a second bed was opened on Peasholme Green this spring and further allotments are planned.

A website has also been developed to promote food growing opportunities across the city, and further promotion of the scheme has included both beds being entered into this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition – with the Peasholme patch contributing to the city’s Silver Gilt Britain in Bloom success.

However a proposed six-month pilot to create a collection point for garden tools at the household recycling centre in Hazel Court is yet to be started.

York Green Party Coun Dave Taylor said: “We think it’s a very good scheme and we are please to see the first public bed outside York Barbican, which certainly seems to be used by people.

“There’s obviously some work that still needs to be done but we think people do appreciate the ability to get fruit and vegetables in their immediate area even if they didn’t have a garden themselves.”

Coun Taylor said the scheme raised awareness of a number of green issues surrounding food production and transportation.

“It’s good for children to learn about how food is grown and to engage with that themselves.

“I think the scheme should tie into other education and projects - maybe a scheme to grow fruit and vegetables in school grounds and allotments, as well as encouraging them to buy from local shops.”

The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that one of the scheme’s 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.