Green-fingered team sets up organic vegetable patch co-operative in Stroud (From Stroud News and Journal)

Green-fingered team sets up organic vegetable patch co-operative in Stroud

1:00pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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A GREEN-FINGERED team hopes families in the Stroud valleys will dig their new co-operative venture – a veggie box scheme without the boxes.

Down to Earth will help create organic vegetable patches in the gardens of residents who have the space but lack the time, energy or skills to grow their own produce.

The company aims to encourage customers to eat healthy, tasty and seasonal local food while cutting down on carbon emissions and packaging.

Co-founder Amanda Godber, of Dudbridge, said: "In recent years, we have been encouraged to get in our cars and drive to the supermarket for our fruit and vegetables, which are often wrapped in plastic and flown in from around the world.

"Meanwhile, 80 per cent of UK households have access to a garden but less than a third are using them to grow anything to eat."

Down to Earth was set up by professional gardener Amanda, 49, her daughter Jordana, 24, and co-op expert Stuart Major, 39, with the help of Co-operative Futures, an agency funded by the Midcounties Co-op.

A co-operative is a group of people acting together to meet the common needs and aspirations of its members, sharing ownership and decision-making.

Amanda, who has grown vegetables for nearly 30 years, can provide different services, ranging from simple start-up advice through to managing the whole growing process.

She can create and work with different sized patches, including patio tubs and raised beds.

Amanda, who owns an allotment in Thrupp Lane, Thrupp, believes her prices are competitive to having a vegetable box delivered.

Down to Earth, which will be officially launched in February, will initially operate within the Stroud valleys but organisers hope to expand across Gloucestershire.

For more information, contact Stuart on 07575 286818 or email info@downtoearth.coop

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