Grow your own food idea catches on

MORE people are growing their own food because of the financial crisis, it was suggested yesterday when Co Clare’s first local authority allotment scheme was launched in Shannon.

aInterest from local families in cultivating their own vegetables and fruit has been so great that all 37 allotments have already been reserved. A further 10 families have been placed on a Clare Co Council’s waiting list.

The successful applicants have been provided with plots, each measuring 10m by 15m, and costing €40 per year.

Mayor of Clare Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn said many people have realised that renting an allotment plot and growing their own food was much cheaper.

She noted the growing interest in allotments was not instigated by the worsening financial situation alone.

In the 1940s there were an estimated 40,000 allotments.

Michael McNamara, senior executive officer with the council, said the idea to develop the Shannon allotment scheme originated in 2006 when Cllr Patricia McCarthy requested the local authority explore the possibility of making land available for the purpose.

Lands near the new burial ground at Illaunmanagh were eventually identified as being suitable.

James Kilkelly of www.allotments.ie and gardening forum www.irishgardeners.com said the timely move puts Co Clare on the allotment map.