Bath charity opens market stall selling local produce
A local charity which helps the most disadvantaged people in society opened a market stall today [Thursday 28 April] selling local produce to raise money for its work.
Developing Health and Independence's (DHI) stall at Green Park Station market, run by service users of the charity, will sell organic veg boxes and locally-grown herbs, salads and plants from two non-profit local growers. It is open on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7pm.
The money raised will go to help its work with people who are unemployed for reasons such as homelessness, mental health problems, learning disabilities or alcohol or drug addiction.
The veg boxes come from The Community Farm, a not-for-profit organic farm based in Chew Magna now owned by 380 members of the local community after its recent community share offer.
People can order a range of veg boxes containing good quality seasonal produce by going to the Community Farm's website: www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk or ringing 0845 617 1174. They should select, 'Green Park Station, DHI Bath' when asked for the delivery location.
The DHI stall also sells pots of 'cut-and-come-again' salads and herbs - customers can pick the leaves they want and more will grow back. The produce comes from the Severn Project, a not-for-profit market garden based in Keynsham, which educates and employs socially excluded people to help them towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
The stall scheme, known as Fresh Start, raises money for DHI, which makes a small profit on each sale. Its services users work as volunteers at the stall.
Fresh Start is one of DHI's social enterprise projects, where the charity earns income from trading activities to help fund its work. Its Ring the Changes scheme, in which unwanted mobile phones are recycled for money, was launched last month.
Mark Coates, DHI's Social Enterprise Development Director, said: "With more and more people taking an interest in where their food is coming from, we're really excited to be able to offer a range of fresh, locally-sourced produce - all from not-for-profit suppliers in Bath and North East Somerset.
"One of the things we've tried to do here is to make our entire supply chain local and socially conscious. So as well as DHI running the stall, our suppliers are also community-based organisations that really care about their work and what they grow.
"We highly rate The Community Farm and The Severn Project, and are delighted to be working with them.
"The stall gives people the chance to eat good, seasonal food which hasn't been flown across the world, and to support non-profit organisations at the same time."
The stall will also sell DHI's publication, The Thrifty Cookery Book, published in 2009, which comprises 30 recipes including some from Michelin-starred Bath Priory chef Michael Caines MBE, Gideon Hitchin from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Canteen, Jamie Oliver's mentor Gennaro Contaldo, and DHI clients. The book will be offered at a discounted rate to veg box customers.
Notes
1. DHI is based in Bath and works in four counties in the west, helping several thousand people each year who are socially excluded for reasons such as homelessness, emotional difficulties, learning disabilities, or alcohol or drug addiction. It helps people to turn their lives around by tackling both the causes and consequences of social exclusion through practical and emotional support services including information and advice, supported housing, counselling, various activities, and employment and training opportunities.
2. The Community Farm is a not-for-profit project which links local people with the farm where their food is produced. Food is produced in an environment that reconnects people with how and where their food is grown and invites them to become part of that process and help build a sustainable future. It is a farm which encourages participation in all aspects of growing a place to work, to learn and to have fun.
3. The Severn Project is a social re-integration initiative started in April 2010 to support, educate and employ individuals at risk from social exclusion, moving them towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The project supports people to achieve independence, by incubating ethical businesses and charitable enterprises ? including the project's own market garden in Keynsham. For more information visit www.thesevernproject.org or find it on Facebook.
