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Why grow organic vegetables?

The trustees who founded H.O.P.E. were aware that there was a limited supply of fresh organic vegetables in the Arbroath locality. If organic vegetables were grown these could be sold on a regular basis and this would help to finance the project as well as satisfying local demand. This also gives local people the opportunity to consume locally grown food as close to its natural state as possible and as fresh as possible.

The other reason for growing organic vegetables was to help promote healthy eating patterns. H.O.P.E.'s chairman, Cedric de Voil, is a retired GP with a particular interest in the role of good diet in maintaining health.

In 2000 an organic vegetable box scheme was started, delivering 20 boxes of vegetables a week to local residents of Arbroath. The scheme at its peak had over 60 households receiving a supply of organic vegetables during the growing months of the year, as far afield as Montrose, Carnoustie and Monifieth The produce is certified as organic by the Soil Association.

The box scheme is being converted to a shop in the garden in 2012.