The Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association provides fresh produce to food bank
The Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association (EGNA) has provided the local foodbank with fresh vegetables and herbs grown at Highbridge farm near Eastleigh, as demand for the foodbank has risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic.
The group have been cultivating land loaned to them by farmer Henry Russell and have grown a selection of vegetables including potatoes, runner beans, pumpkins, tomatoes and coriander.
The last few months have been challenging for most people across the Borough. The group has faced its own trials with several of its members having to shield due to coronavirus, but they still wanted to give back to people in the community that have been struggling during the pandemic. Getting out and being active on the farm in the fresh air has been important for many of the members of the group, especially this year.
Eastleigh Cabinet Member for Social Policy,Tina Campbell said; “We should all be incredibly proud of the way Borough’s communities have responded to the coronavirus pandemic. This initiative by the Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association, working with One Community and Basics Bank to provide much-needed fresh produce, has been a great example of local organisations stepping up to help their neighbours who are most in need.”
In response to the pandemic One Community facilitated a partnership between EGNA and Eastleigh Basics Bank, both through community development work and by providing the drivers and transport to distribute the produce to Eastleigh Basics Bank clients. The partnership with EGNA has enabled recipients of food parcels to eat nutritious, fresh produce in addition to the general non-perishable goods supplied by the food bank. EGNA grows food for its members but was keen to share its surplus with local people in need.
Members of the EGNA harvesting the produce; Mr. Tul Bdr Purja, Mrs Prem Kumari Gurung, Mrs. Kul Devi Purja, Mrs Bicki Thapa, Mrs. Rani Maya Pun & Mr. Tul Bdr Phagami.