Young budding farmers from Oasis Academy Longmeadow help with a recent harvest

A group of young budding farmers from a local primary school situated in the heart of Trowbridge have recently supported their local community.

Oasis Academy Longmeadow pupils helped harvest fruit and vegetables to help raise important funds for the Trowbridge Foodbank.

Apples, carrots, beetroot and squash were among an array of fruit and vegetables collected by green-fingered pupils to raise £24 for the local cause.

The produce, planted by children of key workers who physically attended school over the summer, was harvested in September when classes fully returned.

Helen Adams, Principal at Oasis Academy Longmeadow, commented saying; “We have quite an innovative curriculum, and are always keen to celebrate the local area and give the children an opportunity to grow and harvest their own food.”

“The children at school over summer grew the food and then by September it was ready to be harvested. We sold small bundles of things like carrots, beetroots and apples for £1. It was a really nice way to start the school year and encourage the children to give back a little. We know this has been a very difficult year for many families in terms of getting food on the table."

The Trowbridge foodbank service began in 2006 in response to a growing need within our community. Since this time they have developed good working relationships with a range of local agencies and services aiming to support the wider community.

In April 2010 the foodbank opened a referral centre. Over the years they have seen a continual growth in need and based on our latest figures serve an average of 1700 people a year. This equates to approximately 15,500 meals.