Newquay Orchard are launching a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) veg box scheme where local households can share in their harvest, called Grown by Newquay Orchard. CSA members will receive fresh produce on a weekly basis whilst young people will get the opportunity to learn horticultural skills.
The pilot scheme will launch in July 2022 with plans to supply 45 households with veg boxes or produce from Grown by Newquay Orchard, which is based at Fentenfenna Farm, in Ruthvoes, near Newquay.
Hetty Ninnis, Sustainable Landscapes Manager at Newquay Orchard, is leading the project and is excited to begin production on the socially conscious veg share scheme. She said: “We’re passionate about getting affordable, fresh, quality produce to our community. Grown by the community, for the community. The majority of produce is grown from seeds which are locally sourced, and organic as much as possible. We are using the no dig method to protect and increase soil biodiversity. We grow holistically following organic principles without the use of chemicals on our 2 acre plot.”
People in Newquay, St Column and Ruthvoes will have the chance to become customers of the community supported agriculture scheme during its first phase. This model of food production supports growers with a more stable income whilst connecting consumers with how and where their food is grown. The CSA network describe the model as; ‘a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.’ There are over 150 CSA’s in the UK.
“Becoming a CSA is an important part of this veg box scheme. We want to connect people with the land and the growers so that they can learn more about where their food comes from. Our non-profit enterprise is part of the CSA network, which is an excellent way of connecting grower and customer, it’s much more than a veg box, it’s a share in the harvest. The produce grown here will help to give people work skills and job opportunities, reduce food miles and we believe makes tastier crops!” Hetty added.
Grown by Newquay Orchard will be operated with the help of young people, who will in turn learn valuable horticultural skills. Through the government backed Kickstarter scheme 2 Farm Assistants have been employed to work on the Newquay Orchard Market Garden and their roles include watering beds, working on propagation, and getting seeds in the ground. It’s an opportunity that Newquay Orchard are excited about as they continue to share the importance of working in agriculture.
As well as the Kickstarter assistants students from local schools and Newquay Orchard’s Growing Futures 16 – 18 year old education programme have been involved from the beginning. Treviglas students played an integral role in creating the first vegetable beds whilst Growing Futures students planted some of the first garlic bulbs in February and helped to cover a polytunnel. Teaching these skills and giving young people the chance to spend time outdoors has seen them report increased levels of confidence. The Newquay Orchard team couldn’t be prouder of their involvement in the project that will be serving the wider community for years to come.
Sarah Anthony is Education Manager at Newquay Orchard, she believes giving young people the chance to learn outdoors is a great way to develop resilience and our connection with nature. She said: “The students and young people who have worked on the Newquay Orchard CSA have provided invaluable help so far. They have learnt horticultural techniques as well as transferable skills such as team work which will look great on their resumes as they take the next steps in their careers.”
People that decide to become members will be eating seasonally, with an array of vegetables in the summer months and hearty staples throughout the winter. Each week the produce inside the veg boxes will be a different as the CSA grows with the seasons. Produce such as garlic, beetroots, beans, courgettes, kales and heritage tomatoes varieties of every shape, colour, and size will be included in the vegetable boxes. Whilst herbs like coriander, parsley and basil will add even more flavor to the vegetable varieties.
The community orchard have already proven that the CSA method is successful with Canteen at the Orchard who opened in March 2021. Sharing the greenspace with the cafe allowed them to trial a CSA scheme where Canteen at the Orchard were their sole customers and raw unprocessed veg could be composted in a circular economy over just 100 meters in distance.
If people want to be the first to hear about the new veg box scheme they are advised to sign up to the Newquay Orchard e-news where it will be announced shortly. Invitations are also open to a drop-in information session being hosted at Newquay Orchard on Wednesday 11 May, 6:30pm – 7:30pm and a walk around the Grown by Newquay Orchard site at Fentenfenna Farm on Thursday 12 May, 6pm – 7pm to learn more about the CSA and sign up to become a member.
