Hounslow FoodBox Extends On-site Allotments
Food grown in donated knee-high planters will be distributed to residents
Martha Elsesser: lead gardener and volunteer and Sunny Kharbanda: Operations Manager Hounslow FoodBox
February 23, 2024
Hounslow FoodBox has been enabled to expand the amount of produce it can grow through the donation of some knee-high planters.
They were a gift from Borras Construction, who also built, delivered and installed them. This will allow for a much wider range of fruit and vegetables to be grown and these planters will be accessible for residents.
For some years Hounslow FoodBox has maintained and developed a vegetable allotment at the heart of the Brickfield Estate in Brentford. The produce grown is both for the community and for distribution through the FoodBox to those suffering from food poverty in the borough.
Thanks to the work of Martha, lead gardener and volunteer, residents of the estate will now be able to get involved in this project on their doorstep. The knee-high beds will particularly be a benefit to the elderly and those with disabilities, who had found it difficult to get involved due to the limitations of the previous allotment space.
Furthermore, the FoodBox is in partnership with Cultivate London and will be getting local schools to participate in food growing in 2024, to educate them about gardening practices and the importance of sustainability.
Martha says, ‘Having been involved with the allotment for seven years I really appreciate the advice and help with this project. I am so grateful to Borras Construction for these planters which will enable local residents to participate actively and form stronger links within our community’.
The FoodBox is appealing for donations of seeds, plants or compost to get the season’s cultivation underway. You can bring your donations directly to the FoodBox at the Rose Community Centre in Brentford (Tuesday – Friday 10am – 1pm and Saturday 10am – 12pm), or to one of their donation points at ASDA Hounslow, Morrisons Brentford or Sainsbury’s Local Isleworth.
Hounslow Community Foodbox collects food parcel donations at the Rose Community Centre in Brentford (TW8 8NT).
If you would like to get involved and support the FoodBox, visit its website for more information.
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