What is an Abundance Scheme?
We are a volunteer-based group on a mission to locate, harvest and share fruits, nuts and vegetables which would otherwise go to waste. After fruit is collected and sorted, it is re-distributed to organisations such as food banks or lunch clubs so that everyone can enjoy seasonal, fresh and free produce. Any windfall fruits are made into chutney, juice or cider.
The Rewild Project CIC have funding from the Build Back Better Councillor Scheme to run an Abundance Scheme for 3 of the 8 local electorate areas: Sedbury, Cinderford and Bream & Blakeney. People map and harvest trees and bushes in their own neighbourhoods and use this information to begin to plan areas for community growing.
join us:
Join our mission to tackle food waste and re-discover delicious local delicacies. We need helpers to join in on the harvest fun, take part in preserving our finds and deliver produce around the Forest of Dean. We’d love for anyone of any age or ability to come and take part. We have a variety of roles from: scouting out new fruit trees, joining the harvesting or preserving team or delivering to food banks - as well as eating and enjoying the local finds! Help out for an afternoon, a day or more regularly if you are able to.
Do you have a fruit or nut tree in your garden? We can help you pick and process the fruit so it doesn’t get wasted. Owners of the trees always get first pick and we always leave at least 10% on the tree for wildlife. In public spaces we only take 1/3 of fruit, leaving 1/3 for other foragers and 1/3 for wildlife.
Why do we need an Abundance Scheme?
There is a huge need across the UK to encourage people to get outside, be active, be more connected to their food and to source it locally.
Figures show around 1 in 3 men and 1 in 2 women in the UK are not active enough for good health. Our population is about 20% less active than in the 1960s. If current trends continue, it will be 35% less active by 2030.
Many people don’t realise that physical activity has significant benefits for both physical and mental health. It can help to prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression, (‘All Our Health: personalised care and population health’, Public Health England).
Currently, 95% of fruit and 50% of vegetables in the UK are imported. DEFRA stated that in 2005 we imported 71% of our apples, and many of our imported apples come from distant lands such as New Zealand, over 12,000 miles away. Many of these fruits are produced using intensive methods, which are heavily reliant on oil-based farming systems, and are then transported using fossil fuels.
Outcomes from other community food and abundance schemes:
In 2013 University of Pisa student Leonello Trivelli researched and evaluated the social, economic and environmental impacts of Incredible Edible Todmordon (IET) on the small market town in the North of England. Trivelli found that:
97% of residents said that they buy more local food today compared to five years earlier.
57% of residents had begun to grow their own food following the example of IET.
70% of residents believed that the town is better known due to IET.
60% of residents think that IET has increased community pride and made the town more attractive to visitors.
31% of business owners believe that IET has contributed to an increased number of customers.
50% of businesses who include IET point of sale information said that sales had increased (Trivelli, 2013).
Read more about their inspirational story and watch Pam Warhurst’s TED talk here: www.incredibleedible.org.uk/our-story/
Abundance Sheffield was established in 2007. During the period of funding from SYCF, they rescued 1,963kg of fruit and vegetables, including 38 fruit trees, one grapevine and one field of organic carrots, parsnips and beetroot - all which would have otherwise gone to waste. 93 organisations across Sheffield benefitted from the harvested fruit and vegetables. Seven regular volunteers were trained to lead the harvesting sessions and a total of 240 people also took part in the wide range of events including 174 new volunteer participants throughout the project.
Feedback they received:
“There is always a strong sense of community at an Abundance session. Old friends greet each other, and new people are welcomed in warmly.”
“It is easy to see the impact that Abundance makes on both the lives of individuals and on Sheffield as a community. The distribution, cookery sessions and training that Abundance provide serve our city well and enrich the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
“Before taking part the only thing our young people would do with fruit is pick it up from their fruit bowl at home and eat it… they have [now] experimented with unusual savoury recipes to include the fruit that they wouldn’t expect to use including chicken & apple pie, sausage & apple quiche and butternut squash & apple soup. All of which were well received and enjoyed. They have shared the fruit with their families, friends and the community and distributed the recipe ideas to encourage others to try something new.”
Learn more about the impact Abundance Sheffield had: www.sycf.org.uk/case-studies/abundance-sheffield/
Future plans - where are we headed?
Once we have mapped out locations of accessible fruit and nut trees in the area we will be able to see where there are gaps and where there is a need for community growing. We plan to involve as many local residents as possible in planning these spaces, dependent on specific needs.
The Forest of Dean has a rich heritage of orchards, small holding and farming the commons and still has a strong sense of small scale farming and commoners rights. The Rewild Project has propagated heritage varieties of fruit trees so community orchards can preserve these local varieties.
Join the discussion to have a say in future community orchard and garden projects!
contact us:
We’d love to connect with any groups or individuals who are interested in getting outdoors, exploring the local area and learning more about the food on our doorsteps. We are happy to partner with groups, schools and organisations so please get in touch if you feel this is something that you would like to get involved with.
Email us: abundancescheme@therewildproject.com