Meet Ellie, a third year Geography student and former Oak House resident. Thanks to the Manchester Graduate Internship Programme scheme, this summer she has been working for Veg Box People; a fresh, local and organic veg box scheme which has been in partnership with the University of Manchester since summer 2015.

Since 2015, Veg Box People customers have bought over £40k worth of lovely organic veg! This is over 15 tonnes of organic veg and means that Veg Box People customers have eaten:

• 150 kg of luscious local salad leaves – grown just 3 miles from the University of Manchester
• 2.6 tonnes of spuds – that’s heavier than an adult Giraffe!
• 350 kg of tomatoes and 450 kg of squash!

All of this has helped to support the livelihoods of 7 local growers as well as 37 growers from further afield and employed 2 full-time Veg Box People workers.

Ellie says “I’ve been on the Veg Box People stall and collection point behind Uni Place on the University campus every Tuesday for 8 weeks over the summer. For me, working for Veg Box People has been an amazing experience. What’s not to love about getting quality produce and supporting a more sustainable food system”

To sign up for a veg bag visit www.vegboxpeople.org.uk and sign up now to support local growers and start chomping your way through more delicious local, organic veg! Veg bags can be collected on Tuesdays 12-5.30pm outside George Kenyon Hall (Greenhouse Cafe) or from Source café Tuesdays until 8pm or on Wednesday’s 8am-noon in the shop at University Place.