community GARDEN
Since being founded in 2016, EATS Rosyth has become a cornerstone of the local community. Boasting a large communal garden, a centenary orchard, and a central hub, it is easy to see why the project has gained so much praise for the part it plays in serving the local community and protecting the environment.
Based on the outskirts of Fife, the community-led initiative was introduced by Rosyth Community Council and relies on grants and private donations. EATS is now a registered charity, and their main aims include growing and sharing food, improving food education, helping the environment, and reducing food waste.
Kasia Dubiel, Greenspace Co-ordinator for EATS, explained how their regular events and workshops help them to achieve their ultimate goal of strengthening the community. “The Centenary Orchard and Community Garden are free to use and we have a range of volunteering opportunities available, including a great team of volunteers who look after our bees in the orchard. We also have a Gardening Club and an Alzheimer’s support group that meets once a week. Our green spaces are welcoming to everyone.”
Growing food is one of the most popular activities at the Community Garden, where they grow a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The garden is kitted out with raised beds, a polytunnel, potting sheds, a greenhouse, and an eco-toilet.
Produce grown in the garden is shared among the local community, and the project hosts a weekly ‘Harvest to Soup’ class, where they use the fresh produce to make healthy meals with the added bonus of providing food education to attendees.
Staff and volunteers have become adept at growing fruits and vegetables, and have even adopted a centuries-old method in one of their raised beds to ensure an even more bountiful harvest. Kasia explained, “We have created a bed using the Three Sisters method. For Native Americans, beans, corn, and squash were known as the ‘three sisters’ and regarded as the most important crops. When planted together, they help one another to survive. The stalks provide support for the beans, the beans add nitrogen to the soil, and squash vines create ground cover that keeps the soil moist and the pests at bay.”
The communal space has also provided immense value for those looking to re-connect after the shared isolation brought on by the COVID pandemic. Kasia said, “Being involved in our green spaces enables people to connect with their community in a meaningful way. We are always overwhelmed by the positive feedback we receive, and we love to provide a space that is well-used and enjoyable for everyone in the community.”
The hard work of staff, volunteers, and members of the public paid off, with EATS Rosyth being nominated as a finalist in the Kingdom FM Local Heroes Awards in 2018 - an accolade which they went on to win in 2022.
As the project continues to expand, the dedicated team of staff and volunteers show no sign of slowing down any time soon. There are plans to establish a community kitchen and cafe, which will be supplied by the fresh produce grown on site. A sensory garden is also in the works, and there will be more training opportunities made available for members of the public who wish to develop new skills.
Kasia went on to explain that, given the project’s ambitious goals for the future, there will always be a need for more volunteers willing to lend a hand. She said, “We have opportunities for people to volunteer in all areas of the project: gardening, beekeeping, food distribution, cleaning, and more. We seek to match people with the jobs they’re keen to do, and we pride ourselves on being a great team that anyone can be a part of.”
Click here to learn more about the volunteering opportunities available at EATS Rosyth.
If you would like to see your community gardening group featured in a future edition of Scotland Grows magazine, please do get in touch to mail@scotlandgrowsmagazine.com - we would love to hear from you!