West Lothian Council’s Place Based Investment Programme has helped West Lothian Foodbank complete work on its Market Garden Project.
West Lothian Foodbank was awarded £188,697 towards the creation of the market garden as a part of West Lothian Council’s Place Based Investment Programme 2021-22.
The project has seen a once overgrown, yard area converted into a market garden to grow fruit and veg for the free benefit of West Lothian Foodbank service users.
The fruit and veg will be given away for free to foodbank clients and the various community pantries/fridges in West Lothian Food Network to help households in financial distress and facing food insecurity.
The garden consists of 70 apple tree and 370 raised beds totalling 516 square metres and will hopefully will produce 10 to 20 tonnes of fruit and veg per year for the benefit of households facing food insecurity.
The project will benefit the foodbank network across West Lothian, whilst allowing for the employment of a local young person and providing work placements for college students.
Executive councillor for the economy, community empowerment and wealth building, Kirsteen Sullivan, and the depute executive councillor for the economy, community empowerment and wealth building, Tony Pearson were both in attendance at the opening of the Market Garden project.
Councillor Sullivan said: “It is pleasing to see the positive impact the Place Based Investment funding has had in contributing to the completion of the Market Garden. West Lothian Foodbank and the wider West Lothian Food Network, carry out vital work to help some of the most vulnerable residents of West Lothian and hopefully this new space will allow them to further develop their provision in a sustainable manner.”
Councillor Pearson added: “It is important that local groups and organisations are supported in their efforts to enhance local communities. This project is a clear example of Community Wealth Building in action, benefiting the local food provision network in addition to creating employment opportunities. I’d like to congratulate all involved and wish them the best for the future of the project.”
