Green-fingered volunteers have dug deep to produce a festive feast for an Aberdeen community.
The Greening Donside project has yielded sprouts, broccoli, carrots and onions – and a hamperful of herbs to enhance Christmas dinner.
Last March, the council allocated £145,000 to develop growing spaces for vegetables and fruit as a way to promote green living and tackle food poverty.
An award of £14,500 went towards the creation of a community garden and wild orchards in Donside Village Square, one of more than a dozen projects across Aberdeen.
The site has brought residents together to reap the benefits of healthy produce.
Project leader Karen Cargill said: “We’ve had joy this year with brussels and broccoli, and onions and carrots.
“The herb garden has taken off and has been used regularly.
“We have had lots of luck with our radishes, our garlic was amazing and, at this year’s market, celery was a hot pick.
“Curry plants and tomatoes grow now in recycled tins and colanders down at our ‘edible wall’ where we’ve allowed the children to let their imaginations flow.”
The programme, which has included a development officer from foodbank charity CFINE (Community Food Initiatives North East), helped Aberdeen become the first Scottish city to win a prestigious Sustainable Food Cities award this summer.
Chairwoman of the Sustainable Food City Partnership Aberdeen Lesley Dunbar said: “It’s wonderful that families across the city are enjoying healthy, hearty food that they have grown themselves.”
