Medway Seasonal Fruit Months
This year, The 'A Better Medway' Community Food team has celebrated Kent seasonal produce. Several schemes such as Cherry Month, Plum Month, Apple Month and Pear Fortnight were organised throughout Medway to give people the chance to buy locally grown fruit at a special low price.
The seasonal schemes took place in local children's centres, schools, workplaces and at public events, where over 1870 punnets of cherries were sold in July, 895 bags of plums were sold in August, 980 bags of apples were sold during October, and 406 bags of pears in a fortnight during November!
For each seasonal scheme there were different varieties of fruit available:
. Kentish Cherries
. Plums: Victoria, Excalibur, Greengages, Julibeum, Giant Prunes and Majoree Seedlings
. Apples: Cox, Gala, Braeburn, Bramley, Russet, Spartan, Fuji and Goldrush
. Pears: Conference and Comice
The fruit was provided by a local farmer, David Rye from Rickhamfields Farm - who supplies local greengrocers and London wholesale markets. Rickhamfields Farm also includes self-service stall where the public can purchase fruit directly from the farm.
Rickhamfields Farm is located on Boxted Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7BY and open all day, 7 days a week.
If your organisation or community group would like to be involved in our seasonal projects, please contact Claire Burgess at change4life@medway.gov.uk or at 01634 334309 for more information.
Community Food Allotment
The Public Health Team's Community Allotment was full of beans in 2011!
A large range of fruit and vegetables were grown on the allotment plot throughout the year including sweetcorn, butternut squash, strawberries, rhubarb, runner beans, courgettes, potatoes and many more.
We had tiny tots, young children, teenagers and adults all getting stuck into the activities throughout 2011; from planting a seed to picking the fully-grown produce.
Visit our Flickr Page to see some photo's taken at the allotment this year.
Moving onto 2012....
Do you fancy yourself as an Alan Titchmarsh or Carol Klein?
We are looking for volunteers or groups to come along to plant seeds, grow fruit and vegetables and tend to the plot in Tangmere Close, Woodlands Road, Gillingham.
It’s a great opportunity to boost your physical activity levels, socialise with others and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own.
We are also seeking any spare gardening equipment or seed donations to help with the allotment. Any donations will be gratefully received.
If your interested in joining us or have equipment to spare, please contact Claire Burgess at change4life@medway.gov.uk or at 01634 334309 for more details.
View our Newsletters here: September Edition
