Challenges
This was clearly a more challenging growing year - caused by particularly unfavourable weather conditions in the Spring. Many allotment sites did not have produce to donate until the end of July and we noticed that the volume and variety of produce was less compared to 2023.
The attached infographic for 2024 shows produce from 7 sources was shared with 8 recipient affordable food projects.
This compares to the 2023 report where 8 sources shared produce with 9 recipients. All the links shared surplus fresh, locally grown produce weekly.
Change in reported number of sources
Because of the reduction in the volume of donations, Lower Common East and Lower Common West allotments have been treated as one source.
Collections from the ROOTS Avon Views site to Thursday's Oasis pantry were not arranged this season because of various challenges; we hope to resume this connection in 2025.
Claremont allotments were introduced to CropDrop with a plan to donate produce to the Genesis Life project at the Gateway Centre. The day before this link was due to start the Centre had a flood and was closed. Nevertheless donations were started and delivered to a variety of appreciative projects.
Change in reported number of recipients
There has been an increased focus on supplying fresh produce to the food pantries in Bath: Mercy in Action Twerton Pantry and Oasis Pantries at Roundhill and the City Centre.
People use food pantries to help them move on from foodbank 'crisis' support. Members pay a small weekly amount and receive a significant quantity of affordable food.
When Southside Youth Centre Café closed, the donations from Monksdale allotments were directed to the Oasis Roundhill Pantry.
To maintain the pattern of midweek donations from Combe Down allotments, Bath Area Play Project was replaced with Keynsham Community Fridge as the recipient of the produce donations in the summer holidays.
New Oriel Hall lunch club was added as a recipient for the produce from Claremont allotments.
I still continue to be so grateful for the kindness and generosity of everyone especially through a challenging growing season. Nothing is ever wasted and I cannot convey my gratitude enough for the hundreds of nutritious meals that have been made and the myriad of food based experiences created for our wonderful kids. The produce and project has meant I have things to draw from especially now when budgets are tighter than ever. I don't think I can ever thank you enough!!!
Rosalie Forde
Head of Food and Design Technology, Three Ways School
Connections
Somer Valley
We were approached by Midsomer Norton allotments in the Spring and worked with them to connect the Curo Welton Pantry. With the impact of the poor weather conditions and the temporary closure of the Welton Pantry due to a building maintenance issue, we hope to help this connection 'go live' in 2025.
Gleaning Produce from farms, commercial growers and orchards
CropDrop has worked with the Avon Gleaning Network when gleaning from farms and growers in B&NES. We share food project details to maximise the number of projects which can benefit from the gleaned produce in the local area.
For a second year it was agreed to split the pumpkin bounty after Hallow'een; the Avon Gleaning Network collected and distributed surplus pumpkins from Farringtons Farm to Somer Valley projects, while CropDrop collected and distributed pumpkins from Newton Farm, Glenavon Farm and Avon Valley to Bath projects.
CropDrop volunteers collected over 600 pumpkins and squash from the 3 pumpkin growing sites to the west of Bath. They were shared with 9 affordable food projects in Bath & Keynsham and a donkey sanctuary. This was all achieved with the help of 12 volunteers, including 9 students from Bristol University Air Squadron and the Royal Navy unit.
In a new initiative for the area, 550kg apples harvested from 9 gardens by 5 volunteers in the 'Saltford Fruit Tree Amnesty' pilot. These were shared with 4 food projects, 2 schools and the Saltford Community Association.
Social media
The CropDrop co-ordinators have not had as much capacity to post on social media as in previous years. This could be improved in 2025.
The beneficial effects observed in the Combe Down allotments/Threeways school relationship are that plentiful and fulsome feedback to the allotmenteers about the donations provided to the recipients, generates increased produce donations.
The converse has been observed in some projects that less acknowledgement and awareness of the beneficial affects of the produce donations reduces the donations.
Our plans for 2025
Our aims moving into the new year include:
We continue to work closely with the Bath Allotment Association to establish a regular connection for Claremont allotments with New Oriel Hall. We will connect more allotments with food projects and seed more growing knowledge and confidence into areas like Twerton and Whiteway, by collaborating with the Twerton & Whiteway Network and Bath City Farm.
Re-connect ROOTS Avon Views allotment site with Oasis Pantry.
Arrange CropDrop deliveries for the Grow for Life project surplus.
Find a solution to increase social media posts about CropDrop donations to food projects.
Use the experience of the ‘Saltford Fruit Tree Amnesty’ to explore the feasibility of a Bath Fruit Tree Amnesty.