Recycling and Waste contractor Veolia is celebrating the fruits of success with a new schools’ competition across Stafford Borough.

Veolia has been running its nationwide ‘Orchard’ scheme since 2022 bringing communities closer to nature by donating fruit trees and strawberry plants within local authority areas they operate in.

Students in more than 50 schools across the borough have joined the initiative to develop long lasting environmental habits and improve their area, with the scheme expanding to local community organisations this year.  

Now the company is launching ‘Orchard Bakes’ - a competition open to participating schools to submit a video showcasing their innovative bake that is inspired by, or made from, the fruit grown in their school orchard.

Entries open next week (April 1) and the competition will run for two months with the winners announced in mid-June. The champion bakers will receive up to £1,000 to support environmental education.

Alongside their delicious creations, students are asked to pitch a school-based sustainability project with the chance to secure funding that will help their school flourish long after the orchard takes root.

Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at nearly 2,000 apple and pear trees and 3,620 strawberry plants, with each of the 716 schools and 55 community organisations joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning.

This year saw community organisations included in the scheme for the first time, with community centres, places of worship and care homes joining schools with fresh, locally grown fruit enhancing their green spaces.

Veolia works in partnership with Stafford Borough Council as the household recycling and waste contractor for the area.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at the council, said: “The Veolia Orchard has been a fantastic programme which the council has been proud to be a part of - and very well supported by many schools in our borough leading to hundreds of more trees being planted.

“This new competition is a clever extension to the orchard scheme encouraging pupils, quite literally, to use the fruits of their labour and bake some great dishes from the apples and pears grown on school premises. Good luck to all the local schools who take part.”

Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director at Veolia said: “Our Veolia Orchard scheme reached more people than ever this year and we’re not done yet. With the launch of Orchard Bakes for participating schools, we’re excited to see how young people are not only nurturing their orchards but also inspiring the next generation to appreciate locally-grown, sustainable food. This competition celebrates the creativity and environmental awareness of young people in Stafford Borough.”

The Veolia Orchard scheme will return in the autumn, with the launch of the new school term.

Press Release No 6280