Growing food in the city
In the fictional city of Bellford, a group of residents transformed an unused car park into a community garden. The project began in 2018 with twelve raised beds and a small storage shed. Today, the garden contains forty beds, a greenhouse and an outdoor classroom. Its purpose is to give people a place to grow food and meet their neighbours.
Before planting began, volunteers tested the soil and found that it was unsuitable for growing vegetables. They decided to use raised beds filled with clean soil instead. Rainwater is collected from the roof of the storage shed and stored in large tanks. During dry periods, gardeners also use water from the public supply.
Anyone living in the neighbourhood can apply for a bed. Members pay a small annual fee, but the organisers offer free places to people who cannot afford it. Each member looks after an individual plot and also spends two hours a month maintaining shared areas. Tasks include repairing paths, turning compost and cleaning tools.
The garden runs workshops on Saturday mornings. Experienced volunteers teach beginners how to sow seeds, identify common pests and prepare seasonal vegetables. Local schools visit during the week, using the outdoor classroom to study plant growth. The organisers have not yet measured whether these visits improve examination results.
Not every crop has been successful. In the first year, strong winds damaged the tomato plants. Volunteers later installed a shelter made from recycled timber, which reduced the problem. They also discovered that some residents preferred growing herbs to vegetables, so part of the garden was redesigned to include shared herb beds.
An informal survey found that most members valued the friendships they had made more than the money they saved on food. Several residents who had previously lived alone began meeting regularly outside the garden. The organisers now hold a monthly shared lunch where members bring dishes prepared with their own produce.
The city council has agreed to let the group use the site for another five years. The volunteers hope to build a second greenhouse, but they still need to raise the money. For now, their priority is maintaining the existing garden and welcoming new members.
Questions 1–6
Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage, FALSE if it contradicts the passage, or NOT GIVEN if the passage does not provide this information.