Apple Theft at Camphill MK

As most of you will know, for over 40 years, our charity has grown its own fruit and vegetables to feed our 70 residents. 

Our residents who live across sites at Willen Park and Pennyland select from various daily workshops and activities, offering them meaning and purpose in their daily lives. 

Many residents participate in the Gardening Workshop – growing produce free from pesticides, following permaculture principles, and learning about sustainable horticulture.

But gardening isn’t just a pastime for the Camphill MK community. It produces our sustenance – the food harvested supplies our houses and the onsite vegetarian Café, providing healthy and nutritious meals supporting wellness.

Unfortunately, we have been victim to food theft recently. Some may refer to this act as innocent ‘scrumping’, and Camphill MK recognises that food costs force some individuals to seek more creative ways to get food. But this picking of their food impacts our charity and the residents we support.

Like everywhere else, we are struggling to manage the escalating energy bills and staffing costs, but we have been proud to continue offering our residents a balanced and healthy diet. 

Head gardener Giorgia told us, “We plan our planting and harvesting carefully to minimise food waste and ensure we can and will use what we grow. This year our apple trees have been targeted, possibly because they have produced a good crop; we are waiting a few more weeks to harvest the fruit before sending it to be pressed for apple juice.” 

We have joined the MK Food Bank for their MK Can campaign to secure 132,000 cans of food to support food poverty in Milton Keynes and break an official world record of the longest continuous line of food cans. If you would like to donate a can or two to support those struggling to feed themselves or their loved ones, you can donate at our Café at Willen Park.