Veolia Orchards

Veolia has been enriching playgrounds nationwide since 2022 through Veolia Orchard, bringing communities closer to nature by donating fruit trees and strawberry plants within the local authority areas they operate in.

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

This year, Veolia is celebrating the fruits of this success with Orchard Bakes, an exciting new competition inviting schools to showcase their culinary creativity.

Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,995 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 Orchard’s saplings all stem from the same mother trees growing apples or pears at Grow Fruit Trees’ nursery in Kent. The 45 new seedlings have become a part of Veolia’s family tree, alongside 120 strawberry plants across schools and community organisations in Chesterfield.

This season, Veolia is extending its schools programme with Orchard Bakes, a baking competition open to all schools who have received an orchard since 2022. To apply, schools can submit a video showcasing their innovative bake that is inspired by or even made from the fruit grown in their school orchard. Whether it's a traditional apple pie, a creative strawberry tart, or a modern take on a pear tarte tatin, young bakers are encouraged to rise to the challenge and transform their homegrown harvests. 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. Through this competition, the Veolia Orchard project expands its focus beyond planting by encouraging children to think about the full lifecycle of their food and how to reduce food waste by using their harvests in creative recipes.

Orchard Bakes opens to entries on 1 April and will close on 2 June, with plenty of time to perfect those bakes! Participating schools can submit their entry by responding to the competition email they receive. The champion bakers will be announced by mid June and will receive up to £1,000 to support environmental education.

Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director OR Donald Macphail, Chief Operating Officer UK Treatment 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 Chesterfield”

Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Environment, said: “We’re delighted to support Veolia’s Orchard scheme, which is making a real difference to schools and community organisations across Chesterfield. By helping young people grow their own fruit, learn about sustainability and enjoy outdoor spaces, this project is nurturing both environmental responsibility and community pride. Initiatives like this show the impact we can have when we work together to create healthier, more sustainable places for our residents to live and learn.”

The Veolia Orchard scheme will return again in autumn, with the launch of the new school term. Schools and community organisations will be able to apply for their own orchard or strawberry patch and join the hundreds of schools and organisations already enjoying the fruitful benefits of their plants.