Baobab Bach Working With Young People and Communities to Grow Green!
Baobab Bach is a social enterprise that is working to provide affordable food for all in communities. There is no means testing – absolutely anyone can use one of their Community Pantries, where they focus on distributing surplus foods that would otherwise have gone to landfill.
In order to supplement the surplus food supplies and ensure that everyone gets a good bag full of food, they are growing their own produce in several locations, one of which is at Bronfair Allotments and Community Gardens in Garth, Maesteg. Baobab Bach is always keen to welcome volunteers on board and works in partnership with a number of organisations, such as Itec, whose young people have successfully worked on this growing project with them, building and installing raised beds on the site.
This helps not only to reduce ‘food miles’ by growing food locally, but it increases carbon fixation in the soil. By working with their small team of growers, they have been able to generate local interest in growing food. In this way, Baobab Bach assists people of all ages to gain the skills needed to produce food and learn how to grow their own.
Baobab Bach uses as much natural pest control as possible, facilitating the propagation of useful insect species and wildlife such as hedgehogs. There is also a pond at the project, to which we hope to attract newts and dragonflies, known to frequent other areas of the allotments. This assists in supporting development of biodiversity, as well as assisting with the growth of crops.
They plan to continue to work with agencies such as Itec and with local volunteers to teach new skills around growing food as well as promote a healthier diet by introducing local communities to the joy of growing and eating your own delicious produce.
If your group is involved in “green/blue” issues such as climate change, sustainability, nature, growing projects and more – contact Alexbowen@bavo.org.uk to find out more about BAVO’s Green Network
