Council’s grounds team donates greenhouse harvest to Bideford foodbank

The Grounds Maintenance Team at Torridge District Council has recently donated a wide selection of ‘own-grown’ fruit and vegetables to a local food bank who are need of supply donations.

The harvest – which included lettuce, rhubarb, pak choi, cucumber and radish – was donated to the Northern Devon Food bank, after it was grown in the council’s greenhouse in Victoria Park, Bideford. 

The Bideford-based food bank was founded in 2012 and operates seven food banks across Torridge and North Devon to provide more than 9,500 people in need with food supplies – last year the food bank distributed more than 120 tonnes of food across the districts.

Assisted by recent good weather, with temperatures hitting 37 degrees-plus inside the greenhouse in May, the crops have done particularly well.

Relying on donations of seeds and plants from the local community, all produce is planted in rotation in the council’s greenhouses to ensure a good supply throughout both summer and winter.

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.”