Torridge District Council’s gardening team has donated a large harvest of fresh produce to help food banks meet rising local demand
“A selection of freshly picked vegetables prepared for donation to the Northern Devon Food Bank”
A team of council gardeners in Devon has handed over a bumper harvest of fruit and vegetables to help feed struggling families across Northern Devon.
The grounds maintenance team at Torridge District Council donated a variety of fresh produce – including lettuce, rhubarb, pak choi, cucumber and radish – to the Northern Devon Food Bank. All of it was cultivated in the council’s greenhouse at Victoria Park, Bideford.
The donation comes at a time when demand for food support is high. The food bank, which operates seven centres across Torridge and North Devon, helped supply food to more than 9,500 people last year, distributing over 120 tonnes of goods.
The crops flourished in the recent hot weather, with temperatures inside the greenhouse topping 37 degrees Celsius in May. The greenhouse relies on donated seeds and plants from the local community, and the planting is rotated year-round to ensure a steady supply through summer and winter.
“Torridge District Council’s grounds maintenance team harvest vegetables in the Victoria Park greenhouse in Bideford”
Councillor Chris Leather, lead member for operational services at Torridge District Council, said: “Well done and thanks to all the ground’s maintenance team for this fantastic effort for such an important local cause. A great example of community spirit in action. With plenty of good weather, ‘fingers crossed’ still to come, the team will continue to supply their greenhouse harvests to local food banks to help support them and the community throughout the summer and into autumn.”
The initiative highlights the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting local people facing food insecurity, while making the most of its own green spaces.