On Monday 21 September, Veolia Orchard opened for applications once more, launched
by Great British Bake Off (GBBO) winner, Matty Edgell.
The scheme has enriched communities nationwide since 2022, with the initiative offering fruit trees and strawberry plants to schools and community groups including universities, care homes, and places of worship.
Celebrity chef and GBBO champion, Matty Edgell has announced the opening of this year’s VeoliaOrchard scheme, inviting schools and community groups in Haringey to apply for either five fruittrees or ten strawberry plants.
Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, runs its Orchard scheme in Haringey,
where it delivers essential recycling and waste collection and street cleansing services on behalf of Haringey Council. The scheme launched in Haringey last year, with 50 fruit trees and 230 strawberry plants planted across 29 schools and four community organisations in the borough.
Each orchard is part of an environmental network increasing biodiversity in local areas, with the recipients benefiting from access to home-grown produce and hands-on learning through nature.
The launch announcement was made at Beaumont School, where Veolia celebrated its Orchard
Bakes competition, which invited previous orchard recipients to create original recipes inspired by
the fruits of their growing orchards. The school in St Albans was crowned the winner for their
chutney recipe, made from apples and pears grown in their orchard, donated by Veolia in 2023.
From Monday 21 September to Friday 20 November, schools and other community organisations
can apply for their very own orchard. Successful candidates will hear back in December with the
delivery of plants taking place in Spring 2027.
Pascal Hauret, Chief Operating Officer, Commercial & Municipal at Veolia said :
“The continued growth of Veolia Orchard in Haringey reflects our commitment to environmental
education and community engagement. For the past five years, we’ve witnessed the transformative
power of these green spaces from school playgrounds to care homes and places of worship. With
over 700 schools and community groups already flourishing across our nationwide Orchard
network, we hope to branch out this season and reach 1000 orchards. Each one represents
another step towards a greener, more sustainable future.
”
Councillor Jo Kuper, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident
Services, said: “I would strongly encourage Haringey’s community groups to apply for trees and
plants under the Veolia Orchard initiative. With nearly 300 plants gifted to over 30 organisations in
2026, our local communities are seeing positive outcomes of both growing their own food and of
the increase in trees and greenery in their local places.
“I look forward to seeing more communities benefit from the scheme, as it enters its second year in
Haringey.
”
Each orchard comes with a free limited supply of Pro-Grow, Veolia’s nutrient-rich soil conditioner
made from recycled garden waste, to support early growth of the saplings and seedlings.
Applicants can also opt for an interactive session with Veolia’s experts, who guide participants
through planting whilst sharing insights on the long-term benefits to communities and the
environment.
