Since 2022, Veolia has delivered 1,085 fruit trees and 780 strawberry plants to 291 schools in 29 local authorities.
This initiative launched in 2022, with fruit trees donated to schools and in 2023 the scheme expanded to include strawberry plants.
Each orchard comprises either five trees or 10 strawberry plants per school. Schools can apply online from 9 September to 8 November. Successful candidates will then hear back from 25 November with deliveries taking place in spring 2025.
Veolia municipal MD Pascal Hauret said: “The Veolia Orchard scheme is about growing more than just fruit; it's about cultivating a love of nature in our future environmental ambassadors. I am especially happy to see this initiative continue to flourish in urban schools where there are typically fewer opportunities to interact with the environment. Not only are we boosting biodiversity by introducing new fruit tree species, creating habitats for pollinators, and enhancing the genetic diversity of cities with urban farming, we’re planting the seeds for a more sustainable future.”
See https://www.veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard to apply.
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