Hyndburn healthy food scheme grows (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hyndburn healthy food scheme grows

2:04pm Thursday 6th January 2011 in News By Emma Cruces, Reporter

A HEALTHY food scheme which has seen Hyndburn’s allotments multiply 10-fold has received a cash boost of £47,000.

A pilot allotment scheme from environmental charity Prospects which was due to end this year has been judged such a success that it has received the NHS funding to create more food growing spaces than ever.

Under the Cultivate scheme, open days at allotments have been taking place to encourage a healthier way of life, with NHS East Lancashire workers cooking home-grown produce on Accrington Market for tasting events.

Demand for allotments has surged ever since, and Hyndburn’s large traditional plots have been divided up into more manage-able ‘pods’ to meet the increase.

Prospects estimates the pods have created 500 plots out of an existing 50.

The project has also seen old under-used allotments revam-ped by the charity, ready for new users.

Ian Hodgson, who oversees allotments for Prospects, said: “People find the new plots much more manangeable because people nowadays have much busier lives.

“The work involved with the old ones were actually seen as off-putting. Added to that we made new fences from recycled pallets and got everything ready.

“The word of mouth interest has been fantastic with 15 schools getting involved and community groups as well as individuals”.

Prospects volunteer and council opposition leader Coun Miles Parkinson said the idea had been a hit with residents.

He said: “In these times of austerity it’s quite amazing Prospects have managed to get this funding.

"However, their success speaks for itself. It gets people outdoors being active and produces healthier food.”

The funding which will see the Cultivate scheme extended for another year, is expected to be used to create more allotments.