GIY aims to help half a million people grow their own food

In partnership with Healthy Ireland and Libraries Ireland, GIY has announced the launch of Grow it Forward. Through this initiative, 50,000 free food growing kits will be given away, with participants asked to use the kits to share the experience with 10 people, enabling half a million people across Ireland to enjoy the wide range of benefits that come from growing food at home.

Budding GIYers are invited to claim a Grow it Forward pack at giy.ie/growitforward or by contacting their local library, as all 330 branches nationwide are helping to drive the effort.

As part of the government’s Keep Well Programme, this campaign is designed to help the nation eat well by inspiring and supporting people to grow some of their own food at home while connecting with friends and family to join them.

Each food-growing pack includes seeds for beetroot, carrots, salad leaves, peas and tomatoes, a guide to help grow them, and a postcard and gift tags to help share them. Those who sign up will also receive regular emails with growing support, video clips and ideas for how to ‘grow it forward’ by passing on seeds, seedlings or produce in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Michael Kelly, founder of GIY, said: “The pandemic has seen a record number of people turn to growing their own food and discovering the joy and pride that brings. The process of seeing a seed turn into a seedling and eventually food you can eat is full of magic and no shortage of optimism. Grow it Forward is all about sharing that feeling as far and wide as possible at a time when we need it most. That’s why we’re inviting people to get free seeds and do good deeds.”

Calling on people of all ages to join the campaign, GIY’s director of development, Karen O’Donohoe, added: “We encourage everyone to take part regardless of your experience in growing or the space you have to grow. Packs will be given out on a first come, first served basis, and we will then teach people how to grow, whether on a windowsill or a large garden.

“We will also show a wide range of ways to share seeds, small seedlings, plants in pots or the produce at harvest time to make sure your Grow it Forward experience is as easy as can be.”

Register for a Grow it Forward pack while supplies last at www.giy.ie/growitforward, or contact your local library.