March 2026
On 10 March, Carrick Greengrocers, Northern Ireland’s first community-owned fruit and veg shop, hosted an event in the Long Gallery at Stormont to highlight its work to make good, local veg accessible to everyone.
As well as bringing fruit and veg back to Carrick town centre, demonstrating how the community can take the lead on regeneration, Carrick Greengrocers provides high quality local produce to the community, reducing food miles, waste and supply chains. The fruit and veg shop has been delivering a pilot for the Bridging the Gap programme, a UK-wide initiative established to test ways in which we can make climate and nature friendly food accessible to all.
The Friendly Food Club at Carrick Greengrocers is a membership scheme that offers a 50% discount on vegetables grown without chemicals to those who have considered organic produce beyond their budget. Carrick Greengrocers is working with local growers including Chris Dobbs, Ben Vista CSA and Jubilee Farm, who use climate and nature friendly growing methods. They all want to see more small-scale fruit and veg growers across NI as part of DAERA’s Food Strategy Framework, which was launched from Carrick Greengrocers by Minister Andrew Muir in November 2024. The Framework acknowledges the positive difference initiatives such as Carrick Greengrocers can make to people and the planet and how good quality food is vital to wellbeing.
Welcoming the event Minister Muir said:-
“This event will highlight the important work of Carrick Greengrocers in bringing good quality, nutrient rich veg to communities in Carrickfergus, exploring the policies and practices we need to replicate work like this across Northern Ireland”.
One of the growers supporting the programme is Chris Dobbs, who owns a market garden using a chemical free, no dig method growing method in Carrickfergus. He added:
“As a farmer my aim is to grow crops that are rich in flavour and nutrients. Consumers are keen for a healthy and sustainable option but unfortunately it’s not always affordable. I’m particularly excited by this project as it will allow more people to connect with healthy, local and sustainable food.”
Beth Bell, one of the founding directors at Carrick Greengrocers, explained:
“Having affordable access to nutritious, delicious, locally grown veg is a human right, and we are proud to be working with Bridging the Gap, local growers and farmers to make this happen in Carrick.”
Bridging the Gap is a partnership between Sustain, Growing Communities, the Alexandra Rose Charity, Nourish Scotland and Food Sense Wales.
Hannah Gibbs, Programme Manager for Bridging the Gap said
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with Northern Ireland’s first community-owned greengrocer to explore the potential for membership models to open up access to climate-friendly food for people experiencing lower incomes. Ethical business models, which pay farmers a fair price and bring wealth back into their communities, are key to the growth of a more accessible and affordable veg that is better for the health of people and planet. We look forward to sharing the learning from this pilot for nation-wide policy change.”
At the event, Lee Robb announced that thanks to donations from Carrick Greengrocers members’, the Friendly Food Club will remain open for existing and new customers.
