A community horticultural project has opened a new polytunnel in a bid to extend its growing season, increase crop yield, and provide a more diverse range of produce to islanders.
GROW Jersey hosted an official opening ceremony this week which was attended by Environment Minister Steve Luce and St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft.
Founder Sheena Brockie said: “We are incredibly grateful to our funders for their support and to Minister Steve Luce and Connétable Simon Crowcroft for joining us in this celebration.
“This polytunnel represents a significant step forward for our community, and we look forward to the many benefits it will bring.”
The polytunnel was funded by St Helier Youth and Community Trust, as well as Lloyds Bank International which donated £40,000 to the organisation to help it expand its services in 2022.
Lloyds Bank’s Sustainability Director Nigel Cheesley said: “We’re proud to support GROW Jersey through the sponsorship of their new polytunnel.
“This is a meaningful investment in community, wellbeing, and sustainable education. GROW’s work tackles vital issues like nutritional poverty, social isolation, and mental health.
“By backing this project, we’re helping create a space where people can connect, grow and thrive.”
GROW Jersey is a community smallholding which grows regenerative produce to be distributed across the island to combat nutritional poverty.
Founded in 2021, it focuses on benefitting Jersey’s biodiversity but also functions as an educational space for school groups, charitable organisations and the general public to allow islanders to engage with a sustainable food environment in an outdoor learning space.
The new polytunnel will function as a classroom during the winter months when weather would typically prevent school groups from attending the site, as well as allowing GROW to extend its growing season and provide a more diverse range of produce.
GROW also obtained planning permission for a new community building last year as part of a wider expansion project.
The organisation said this will include a community fridge, indoor classroom and kitchen, as well as an additional polytunnel and a sensory garden.