North groups urged to branch as Scotmid offers fruity funding

A COMMUNITY focused, environmental and wellbeing initiative led by Scotmid, is giving north-east locals the chance to nurture and grow their own fresh fruit for free.

The retailer is encouraging groups in north-east to apply for £200 to purchase fruit trees or bushes to plant in a publicly accessible area, as part of its already highly successful, Scotland-wide Community Orchard campaign.

The initiative, created to encourage people to work together, increase physical activity and benefit the local environment, has spread its roots far and wide since launching earlier this year, with more than 70 orchards having been planted in sites up and down the country.

The retailer is now urging those in the north-east to apply, in a bid to complete the firm’s ambition to have a community orchard close to every Scotmid store.

Lynne Ogg, Communities Manager at Scotmid, said: “It has been so encouraging watching communities come together to plant a whole host of fruit trees and bushes.

"Some of our groups have already spotted their first fruit and we can’t wait to hear how good they taste!

“Not only is this a fun way to get together with your local community but it’s also a really easy way to get outside and enjoy your local environment – we would love for more communities to benefit from this initiative.”

North-east groups close to a Scotmid store are encouraged to apply by visiting https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/communityorchard/

Find your local Scotmid store at https://scotmid.coop/store-locator/