In the last 12 months, the Spuds for Buddies project has been successful in working with local schools, two local nurseries, After School Care and community groups to improve awareness of healthy eating and gardening skills in the Paisley North area.
View of potatoes growing at the Healthy Heart Garden
Between March – June 2019, the project established 47 raised beds built with the support of Renfrewshire Unpaid Work Team across the Shortroods area of Paisley. Within the Healthy Heart Garden and assisted by two volunteers, potatoes were planted by 49 school pupils (P6/P7). The potatoes were successfully harvested and taken by a pupil group for use in healthy eating cookery activities in the third week of June 2019. In addition, 21 pupils from Primary 1 grew potatoes in 11 boxes within their school grounds between March – June 2019. Local nurseries and After School Care were provided with support and resources including boxes, seed potatoes and compost to grow potatoes.
Cotton bags for harvested potatoes made by Unpaid Work Team.
Potatoes harvested from the raised boxes made by Unpaid Work Team.
This project is seeking to continue building the knowledge, skills and work experience to enable a wider group of children within the community to manage food growing using their own raised beds in 2020.
Renfrewshire Environmental Trust's Blog 
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