GREAT greens are at the heart of a healthy diet – and a new project is bringing them right to the people of Middlesbrough.
Fresh, seasonal and locally grown vegetables are now available through the Grown in Middlesbrough bag scheme.
Managed by new enterprise start up Permacultivation CIC, the scheme sources vegetables from local farms and small-scale growers and distributes them via hubs in the town to residents every week.
Permacultivation Director Mike Martin said he was delighted to be launching the project in Middlesbrough.
He said: “We grow a huge range of excellent vegetables around the town, but it’s often difficult for people to access them.
“Grown in Middlesbrough helps bring our local produce to local people.
“It’s really high quality and of course it’s better for our local economy and the environment.”
Permacultivation CIC are also setting up a growing site in the town which will supply produce for Grown in Middlesbrough, and provide volunteering opportunities and training courses for residents.
Both the growing site and the vegetable bag scheme have been supported through the One Planet Middlesbrough: Creating Sustainable Communities project at Middlesbrough Environment City under its principle of ‘Local and Sustainable Food.’
One Planet Middlesbrough Community Enabler Catherine Howell, who has worked closely with Mike, added: “Bringing healthy, affordable and above all sustainable food to Middlesbrough is a key part of lowering our town’s carbon footprint.
“Schemes like Grown in Middlesbrough prove that local and sustainable food choices do not have to be expensive or inconvenient.
“In fact, it’s a really easy way to make sure you give yourself and your family the best quality food at an affordable price whilst helping our town’s economy and the environment.”
Vegetable bags are available for collection on Mondays from a town centre location and are priced at £5 and £10.
For more information, visit the Grown in Middlesbrough Facebook page www.facebook.com/GrownInMiddlesbrough or email Mike at permacultivationcic@gmail.com.
Businesses and community venues can also register as a delivery hub via the same email address.