Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,995 apple and pear trees and 3,620 strawberry plants, with each of the 716 schools and 55 community organisations joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning. This year saw community organisations included in the scheme for the first time, with community centres, places of worship and care homes joining schools with fresh, locally grown fruit enhancing their green spaces.
Veolia Orchard’s saplings all stem from the same mother trees growing apples or pears at Grow Fruit Trees’ nursery in Kent. The ten new seedlings have become a part of Veolia’s family tree, alongside 50 strawberry plants across six schools and one community organisation in Croydon.
This season, Veolia is extending its schools programme with Orchard Bakes, a baking competition open to all schools who have received an orchard since 2022. To apply, schools can submit a video showcasing their innovative bake that is inspired by or even made from the fruit grown in their school orchard. Whether it’s a traditional apple pie, a creative strawberry tart, or a modern take on a pear tarte tatin, young bakers are encouraged to rise to the challenge and transform their homegrown harvests. Alongside their delicious creations, students are asked to pitch a school-based sustainability project, with the chance to secure funding that will help their school flourish long after the orchard takes root. Through this competition, the Veolia Orchard project expands its focus beyond planting by encouraging children to think about the full lifecycle of their food and how to reduce food waste by using their harvests in creative recipes.
Orchard Bakes opens to entries on 1 April and will close on 2 June, with plenty of time to perfect those bakes! Participating schools can submit their entry by responding to the competition email they receive. The champion bakers will be announced by mid June and will receive up to £1,000 to support environmental education.
Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director at Veolia said: “Our Veolia Orchard scheme reached more people than ever this year and we’re not done yet. With the launch of Orchard Bakes for participating schools, we’re excited to see how young people are not only nurturing their orchards but also inspiring the next generation to appreciate locally-grown, sustainable food. This competition celebrates the creativity and environmental awareness of young people in Croydon.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said: “Our contract with Veolia is so much more than emptying bins and cleaning the streets. It is great to see Croydon schools and young people benefitting from the Veolia Orchard project.”
The Veolia Orchard scheme will return again in autumn, with the launch of the new school term. Schools and community organisations will be able to apply for their own orchard or strawberry patch and join the hundreds of schools and organisations already enjoying the fruitful benefits of their plants.
