The video tells the story.
A bumper crop of apples has blessed our orchards this autumn, with our sturdy Bramley trees proving once again to be the stars of the show. These traditional cooking apples have outdone themselves this year, their branches heavy with fruit ready for harvesting.
Our dedicated orchard keeper, Peter Wade, orchestrated a wonderful community effort by inviting his friends from the University of the Third Age (U3A) to join in the harvest. The Southport U3A members spent a delightful day picking the Bramleys at their peak, filling baskets and creating memories among the ancient trees.
But the real joy of this year’s harvest lies in its destination. In response to the current cost of living challenges facing many families, we made the decision to donate the majority of our apple crop to local food banks. The day following the U3A harvest, we were pleased to welcome The Big Food Project from Blackpool, who collected the bulk of our apples for distribution to food banks across the North West.
This collaboration between our community farm, U3A volunteers, and local food banks exemplifies the power of community in action. It’s heartwarming to see our organic, locally grown produce reaching those who need it most, while also providing an opportunity for meaningful engagement with nature through the harvest process.
Want to stay updated about similar initiatives and everything else happening at the farm? Sign up for our newsletter and discover more about our community projects at burscoughcommunityfarm.org. Together, we can continue to grow, share, and support our community.
Southport U3A with our orchard keeper Peter Wade on the extreme right of the picture.
Driver Michael loading up The Big Food Project’s truck with our apples.