Orchards are branching out to new schools in Sutton!

Schools in Sutton are being invited to bid for funding for new orchards or fruit plants as part of an ongoing scheme to make the borough greener, take action on climate change and teach Sutton’s young people about how fruit grows. 

The scheme - run by the Council’s waste and street cleaning contractor Veolia - helps schools to increase biodiversity and healthy eating in the borough. Sutton’s orchards will become part of Veolia’s national network of 1,085 trees and 780 strawberry plants now growing at 291 schools across the UK.

Since launching the scheme in 2022, Veolia has delivered 25 fruit trees and 20 strawberry plants to seven schools across Sutton. You can find out more about the scheme and apply at: https://www.veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard

Fruit trees are donated to schools to give young people a chance to experience the benefits of engaging with nature. Building on its initial success, in 2023 the scheme expanded to include strawberry plants, ensuring that schools with limited outdoor green space could participate.

Each orchard includes either five trees or ten strawberry plants per school. Schools can apply online until 8 November 2024 with deliveries taking place in spring 2025. Schools can also opt for an interactive event where Veolia’s experts guide students through their planting while educating them on the orchard’s long-term benefits to the community and environment.

Councillor Christopher Woolmer, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, said:
“This is a great way for Sutton’s children to learn about how fruit grows and where it comes from and enjoy making it happen. It will also help children with eating healthily.

“We are already one of the greenest boroughs in London and the Council has planted a record number of trees over the years. Now we are working with our contractors to do even more. 

“These new plants and orchards in Sutton schools will also play an important part in helping the borough take action on climate change and increase our biodiversity even more for the future.”