A community group called Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD) has launched a new veg box scheme using produce grown on an abandoned bowling green in Platt Fields Park. The veg boxes are providing a vital food supply for people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Platt Fields Market Garden project is the creation of Jo, Sam and Mike, the co-founders of MUD. They have been developing the space as a community garden over the last 3 years with help from hundreds of volunteers.
Since the COVID outbreak the founders they have focused their attention on food production and distribution to help with the emergency response.
“We are seeing a lot of people signing up to the veg box scheme that are from vulnerable groups and need access to food” said Jo one of the founders of Manchester Urban Diggers. “We provide a safe collection point that is outdoors and provide the very highest quality produce grown right here in Manchester”.
The boxes include seven types of seasonal vegetables and herbs and are available to order online for collection or delivery. The boxes are available as a one-off purchase or weekly, bi-weekly or monthly no-strings subscription.
MUD are also working in collaboration with Buzz, Greater Manchester Mental Health’s NHS Foundation Trust to provide mini kitchen garden kits to those in isolation across the city who are suffering with poor mental health during this time. The kits are accompanied by online tutorials.