Manchester parks to grow fruit and veg

Manchester is to transform itself into a giant orchard, with fruit trees and vegetable patches set up in public parks, and the produce available for free.

The £200,000 scheme will see thousands of fruit trees planted in public areas, whilst traffic islands will be transformed into mini allotments.

Twenty thousand raspberry, strawberry, and soft fruit bushes will also be planted, whilst beehives will be set up in a dozen parks and allotments.

The project was conceived after local youngsters revealed ignorance about the source of their food.

Manchester parks manager Chaz Farghaly said: “We were amazed by how many young people didn’t know where fruit and veg came from.”

The scheme also aims to revive species that are currently dying off in the UK, such as damsons, greengages, and walnuts, Farghaly said.