Thamesmead's Fruit and Veg Stall's First Birthday

Trust Thamesmead, Greenwich Community Food Coop and volunteers got together to celebrate Thamesmead's first fruit and veg stall's first birthday and what a lot they had to celebrate!

Not only does the fruit and veg stall based outside the Arnott Community Centre off Bentham Road, 10:00am-2:30pm every Friday sell fresh fruit and veg and encourage Thamesmead residents to eat their ‘five a day' at affordable prices; in the past 12 months the stall has…

• Recruited eight volunteers to the resident run stall.
• Referred two volunteers to Trust Thamesmead's training and employment department Building Futures; one of which has obtained employment, the second is currently undertaking training.
• Encouraged one volunteer who suffered from a lack of self esteem/confidence to gain employment.
• Reduced social isolation; encouraging one resident to get out and about after an operation and another to visit the stall on a weekly basis; which is the only outing they make after suffering from agoraphobia for years.
• Been an opportunity for Trust Thamesmead Community Development Officers to meet, liaise and contact local residents and groups.
• Provided a fantastic networking opportunity with Safer Neighbourhood Team, Gallions wardens.
• Provided a source of fruit and veg to Arnott preschool who meet in the Arnott Community Centre Monday-Friday.
• Been an opportunity for signposting residents to other service providers.
• Built a positive working partnership between Trust Thamesmead and the Greenwich Community Food Coop.
• Helped to build a higher profile for Trust Thamesmead and the Greenwich Community Food Coop.

Trust Thamesmead's Community Development Officer Roz Williams who, together with Greenwich Community Food Coop, worked together to bring the first stall of this kind to Thamesmead said: “We have been very pleased with the success of the fruit and veg stall over the past twelve months. The stall has been a visible and accessible source for the promotion and sale of fresh fruit and vegetables to the residents and visitors to Thamesmead, reinforcing the message of the importance and benefits of eating more fruit and vegetables.

"It has also offered the opportunity for volunteers to give their time to their local community, raised the profile of the Trust in a positive manner, and enabled members of the community development team to meet with, interact, inform and signpost community members to other services. “

The fruit and veg stall is a resident run stall for residents of Thamesmead. If you can spare 1-4 hours every Friday and would like to volunteer and work on the stall, please contact Trust Thamesmead's Community Development Officer Roz Williams T: 020 8320 4470.