Through our work in gardens, we know that there are many fruit and nut trees that have become too large or unproductive through lack of maintenance (particularly in the gardens of the elderly). In addition, there are many productive trees where there is surplus or unwanted fruit left to rot.
These circumstances often lead to viable trees being felled, thereby losing this valuable local food resource.
Gloucestershire has over 100 apple varieties, yet our supermarkets sell just a few well known ones (mostly grown abroad). In addition our local shops sell dried apple rings that are grown and produced in China!
Our fruit and nut tree project will provide free or subsidised fruit/nut tree maintenance in exchange for a percentage of the crop, which we will then turn into a local food product like dried apple rings or fruit leathers.
If you're interested in harvesting or making food for this project, or by offering your surplus fruit and nuts, ring us on 01453 700011, email info@downtoearth.coop, or check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/downtoearthcooperative