A FERMANAGH community group has been growing vegetables over the lockdown to help support local foodbanks that have experienced a huge rise in demand for their service due to the pandemic.

The brainchild of Dianne Little and Trevor Armstrong, of Letterbreen and Mullaghdun Partnership (LAMP), the Veg Bank Project was supported by members of the local community with varying skills, and resulted in the growth of 10 tonnes of potatoes which are being donated to food banks in the area and beyond.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Trevor explained that they began the project during the first Coronavirus lockdown after Dianne contacted potato grower Wilson's Country in Portadown, who agreed to donate two tonnes of seed potatoes to help the cause.

Within a week of the seed potatoes arriving, all two tonnes were planted, thanks to the help of volunteers.

The majority of the seed potatoes were planted in a two-acre field in Bellanaleck donated by farmer Tom Maguire. A number of other farmers lent a hand by prepping the ground and maintaining the crop.

When it was time for the potatoes to be harvested, help was again at hand.

"We had to get a machine called a potato kicker, the ancient machine that it is! We got it in and we got voluntary help – we had school children, we had Jones Memorial PS and Mullymesker PS [pupils] in, we had people in from all over Fermanagh most Saturdays, and some days during the week," said Trevor.

"We finished picking them there in mid-November, and we have approximately 10 tonnes," he added.

Outlining where the potatoes have been donated, Trevor said: "The Food Bank gets 14 bags a week; we have Oak Healthy Living Centre in Lisnaskea, we have various housing estates getting them in Enniskillen and Lisnaskea; and we have gone as far as Rosslea.

"We had a phone call the other day from two people who are out of work and literally have nothing, no food, and just want help," he added, highlighting the need for a project such as the Veg Bank.

Talking about how the project not only helped those in need, but encouraged a sense of community during a difficult time, Trevor said: "It’s a great community thing because we had every walk of life in the field with us.

"We had everyone from babies in carriers, to pensioners. Everybody was there helping us to gather them."

The group also grew cabbages, leeks, onions and carrots as part of the Veg Bank Project, with the help of locals, Men's Sheds and other community groups. LAMP are very grateful to all who helped make the project a success.