We’re trialling a community supported agriculture (CSA) model here at Newquay Orchard. This means Canteen at the Orchard have become our sole customer in a circular food model serving volunteers and visitors alike.
Between June and September this year over 1 tonne of organic produce was grown and harvested by our staff, students and volunteers from the no-dig market garden at Newquay Orchard. This fresh veg was delivered to Canteen at the Orchard where it was prepared into 296 tasty meals for volunteers to enjoy. Any non-cooked food waste is then composted to begin the process again.
Hetty Ninnis, Head of Sustainable Landscapes here at Newquay Orchard, has led the project and is delighted with how the four-month trial is going.
Hetty said: “We launched the CSA partnership with Canteen at the Orchard in June and so far it’s been very successful. It’s rewarding for the volunteers to eat the produce they have grown here at Newquay Orchard. They are gaining valuable skills like learning how to live more sustainably whilst meeting new people and spending time outdoors. It also gives them a chance to dine with Canteen when they may not have had the chance to otherwise.”
“If this style of growing and serving food can continue to work sustainably together, as it has done so far, then we believe it is a model that could serve communities throughout the UK. All whilst improving biodiversity, reducing food miles and connecting people with their food. It’s field to fork in the space of just 300 meters.” she added.
The Canteen at the Orchard menu changes daily to make use of the vegetables harvested from the Market Garden which vary massively from what people might find in the vegetable aisle of the supermarket. So far kohlrabi, mizuna and mustard leaves have featured in meals on offer!
Chef Ben Quinn, who has developed his style of simple and frequently changing menus at Canteen Cornwall, is excited about operating as a CSA with produce grown just a 2-minute walk from the kitchen.
Ben said: “It’s a unique greenspace here at Newquay Orchard and the opportunity to pilot a CSA in this way has been really fulfilling.”
“This model is a socially sustainable way of producing food and I think the scheme we’re pioneering here in Newquay is something that can change the hospitality industry. Promoting this connection between land, grower and produce can have major benefits on both chefs and their customers,” he added.
The Community Supported Agriculture model has become a popular way for consumers to buy local and connect with the food system. Traditionally a grower offers shares and in return customers get a subscription to a veg box. Currently there are over 150 CSA offerings in the UK – you can read more about it on the Community Supported Agriculture website.
Here at Newquay Orchard we have been striving to end social deprivation and support people experiencing food poverty since starting in 2015 and this new addition to the volunteering programme at the urban greenspace is one the team are very proud of.
