Local growers and Clydesdale Food Bank celebrate successful harvest

A food growing programme which donates fresh fruit and vegetables to the Clydesdale Food Bank celebrated a successful harvest with a big thank you lunch for local producers at Clydesdale Community Initiatives (CCI) last week.

The partnership with Castlebank Park (Lanark), Forth & District Initiative Eco Project, Larkhall Community Growers, Lesmahagow Allotments and Clyde Valley Orchard Co-operative donates fresh fruit and vegetables to the Clydesdale Food Bank ensuring people in need have healthy, tasty, locally produced food.

Liz Barthram, Clydesdale Food Bank said, 

“It was such a lovely opportunity to meet some of the people who have put so much hard work in to providing the clients of the food bank with really fresh, top quality vegetables and fruit.  Not only is the produce so fresh, it has gone a long way to reducing our fresh food spend over the summer as demand continues to grow. Many thanks to CCI and to all the members of the Food Growers Coop from all over Clydesdale and beyond.”

If you love growing food and would like to help these community groups, volunteering takes place on these dates:

• Castlebank Park, Lanark – every Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-3pm
• Forth & District Initiative Eco Project – Tuesday 13 Nov, 11 Dec, 10.15am-2.30pm
• Larkhall Community Growers, Harleeshill Community Garden – Tuesday 6 Nov, 4 Dec, 1-2.30pm
• Lesmahagow Allotments – Tuesday 20 Nov, 18 Dec, 10.15am-2.30pm

See full list of dates and opportunities at http://www.locator.org.uk/calendar-node-field-event-date

Elspeth Crawford, Clydesdale Community Initiatives, Support Worker said, 

“What a brilliant turn out from the Community Food Network contributors! The CCI volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to show off their cooking skills by preparing some delicious dishes for all to enjoy, and what a great way to get everyone together to celebrate all the effort and passion that’s gone into food growing across Clydesdale.”