Day centre for adults with learning disabilities donates vegetables to Biggleswade food bank

Kindhearted members of Silsoe Horticultural Centre donated left over vegetables from their farm shop to a Biggleswade foodbank.
By News Reporter
Published 8th Aug 2022, 16:26 BST
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All fruits and vegetables for sale at the Bedfordshire store are grown by adults with learning disabilities who attend the centre, with its surplus produce generously gifted to Preen CIC.

The Silsoe centre is set on a three-acre site, and those who attend get involved in planting, growing and harvesting, as well as making preserves like chutneys and jams.

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One person who attends said: “I like to sow seeds, watch everything grow, harvest them and then eat them. I enjoy coming to the centre as it is very friendly, and we all have lots of laughs.”

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SHC customer, Hayley, with some carrots grown at the centre, and right, with volunteer Gillie. Images: Central Bedfordshire Council.SHC customer, Hayley, with some carrots grown at the centre, and right, with volunteer Gillie. Images: Central Bedfordshire Council.
SHC customer, Hayley, with some carrots grown at the centre, and right, with volunteer Gillie. Images: Central Bedfordshire Council.

The centre holds a farm shop each Thursday to sell produce to the local community, including courgettes, lettuce and tomatoes – of which the centre grows a number of varieties.

Deborah Townson, who manages the centre, said: “We were really pleased to donate unsold produce to a local food bank so local residents can use it. We hope to make further donations when we have surplus produce in the future.”

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In July, the Preen CIC food bank fed 1,130 local people.

Kathy Lewis from Preen CIC said: “Food parcels are usually tins and packets so fresh fruit and vegetables make a huge difference to the families we help.

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"We are very grateful to the Silsoe Horticultural Centre team for sharing their lovely produce with us.”

Cllr Carole Hegley, executive member for Adult Social Care, said: “Silsoe Horticultural Centre is a fantastic offer for people with learning disabilities as well as for the local community.

"It’s designed to help our customers acquire new skills and knowledge, but also to learn new skills to they can enjoy horticulture as a hobby.

“All our customers have been working really hard this year to grow some amazing plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs, so please do go along to the weekly farm shop to see what they’ve grown.”

The farm shop takes place at Silsoe Horticultural Centre every Thursday between 11am and 2pm.

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Related topics:Biggleswade