Vegetables giveaway to make diets healthier

A local community organisation, Edible York, has joined forces with the city council to transform an under-used plot of land on Paragon Street by planting a range of vegetables.

During the next few months, the Paragon Street bed will provide passers-by with salad, 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 a network of plots where the public can pick their own fruit and vegetables in the West Yorkshire town.

Grants are being applied for to introduce another five community vegetable plots in York, although the Paragon Street allotment has been created through donations and the work of volunteers.

The chairwoman of Edible York, Chloe Smee, said: "We want to show people how easy it is to grow vegetables, as well as providing them with a free source of food.

"People will be able to pick their own vegetables, although we have a team of volunteers who will also help distribute the food to the local community."