FRESH veg on offer to needy families is giving some their first taste of courgettes, marrows and more.
Ebley allotment holders are donating surplus vegetables to the Stonehouse branch of Stroud Foodbank in a unique partnership.
The Foodbank provides dry and tinned food to clients who are unable to feed themselves or their families.
But now the Stonehouse branch offers beans, sweetcorn, rhubarb, courgettes, garlic and broccoli to clients who are referred to the foodbank by agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.
"Many have been excited by the prospect of having fresh fruit and veg," said Stonehouse team leader Jean Riggs.
"We have made sure people had salad cream or mayonnaise and telling clients how to make coleslaw from the cabbages. Many had never tried courgettes, so, we were able to share how to prepare them.
"During the school holidays children have accompanied their parents and some have really been excited by choosing which veg to have.
"People have been amazed at the generosity of the growers.
"None of the veg has been wasted – our team members have taken any spare items for families they know of who do not have money to spare."
Allotment holders had been enthusiastic about supporting the foodbank, said Roy Richards, chairman of Ebley Allotment Association.
"Since July we've been putting surplus produce in a box which is collected twice a week by the foodbank," he explained. "We heard that for some people it was a chance to try fresh rhubarb and they had never seen a broad bean in its shell.
"We have a surplus of produce and there are people in the local community who don't have food. If we can pass it on, and keep the food miles down, you can't get much better than that."
Most referrals to the food banks are due to benefit delays, and benefit changes.Since April this year the foodbank has fed 1207 people, including 466 children .
