Lots more allotments to combat childhood obesity
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EIGHTY new potential sites have been picked out in Moray as suitable for allotments, orchards, community gardens and vegetable patches.
It comes in response to figures that state one in nine children in Moray is obese, and one in five already has tooth decay by the time they have completed their first year at primary school.
The sites have been identified as part of Moray Council's food growing strategy, which was unanimously approved at a meeting this morning.
They are located in Aberlour, Archiestown, Buckie, Cullen, Craigellachie, Dufftown, Elgin, Fochabers, Findhorn, Forres, Hopeman, Keith, Lhanbryde, Lossiemouth, Mosstodloch, Portgordon, Portknockie, Rothes and Tomintoul.
Click here and scroll down to page 28 to see the full list.
Convener of Moray Council, Shona Morrison, said: "Anything we can do to improve access to healthy, local, affordable food and reduce food insecurity must be pursued.
"We can’t do this alone, but by working closely with local partners, we can create opportunities for people to grow their own fruit and vegetables locally.
"This initiative will help to reduce food waste, improve healthy eating choices and social interaction within communities, and support schools and nurseries to create food growing areas, linked to the curriculum.
"There’s evidence that gardening and access to outdoor recreational activities improves physical and mental health, and it’s been suggested that it could be a cost-effective health intervention to help address mental ill-health, dementia, obesity and more."
The food growing strategy has been prepared by Moray Council in partnership with NHS Grampian, Moray College UHI, Greenfingers, Moray Food Plus, REAP and Elgin Allotment Association.
The choice of sites will go out to public consultation in due course.
