Cork County invited to Grow It Forward this Spring

The campaign will be supported by 25 library branches in Cork County, as part of the Government’s Keep Well programme. Grow It Forward 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.

Cork County Council’s Library Service will distribute over 800 seed packs countywide. 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 e-mails 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.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the initiative,
“The Grow It Forward concept can be enjoyed by all age groups, while also ensuring that people, while staying apart, can still share in a common goal of growing food at home. It is a fantastic way for people to stay connected, while staying active and this can help lift the spirits of all involved. Looking after our mental and physical health should always be a priority and I encourage everyone to get involved and get growing this Spring.”

The Grow It Forward initiative will see 50,000 free food growing kits given away, with participants asked to use the kits to share the experience with ten people, enabling half a million people across Ireland to enjoy the wide range of benefits that come from growing food at home.

Register for a Grow it Forward pack while supplies last at www.giy.ie/growitforward or contact your local Cork County library. See www.corkcoco.ie for contact information.