Fresh, local and seasonal, supporting mental health.
Our Crop Share veg box scheme is more than just our produce. We like to think of it as an extension of our market garden and a significant part of our larger Growing Well family.
Fresh local veg, supporting mental health.
Alongside supporting people to recover from mental ill health and our aim to keep improving population mental health, we also produce amazing, pesticide-free food for our local community.
Our Crop Shares (veg boxes) are the product of the therapeutic activity that people participate in when at Growing Well West Cumbria. At present, almost half of our boxes are subsidised or sponsored to go out to low income households across North and West Cumbria.
By committing to be one of our Crop Sharers you become a part of the investment in improving community mental health. We can’t think of a more fantastic way for you to support your community.
Our Crop Shares follow the seasons and allow our beneficiaries to follow the journey from seed to plate, which is therapeutic in itself.
For more information, or to enquire about becoming a Crop Sharer, please complete the form below.
Crop Share FAQs
How much is Crop Share membership?
The Growing Well West Cumbria Crop Share costs £57.50 per month, payable by direct debit, and runs for 50 weeks of the year.
After you sign up, you will be sent a link to our GoCardless* system and complete the Direct Debit instructions.
Membership and your direct debits will continue automatically each year unless you choose to cancel.
*We don’t hold any of your card details at Growing Well.
Does my Crop Share membership include a donation element?
No, but you are helping Growing Well secure its farm income to the benefit of the charity by committing to buy a share of our annual harvests.
By having guaranteed Crop Share customers provides our charity with security of a regular income stream throughout the year.
Will all of my Crop Share be grown at Growing Well?
Over 95% of our produce is grown pesticide-free here at our West Cumbria site ensuring the produce is at its freshest and has been directly grown by the people we support.
We’d love for this to be 100% but due to the challenges of growing in Cumbria, especially in winter, we’re unable to grow produce on site year-round.
To maintain the value of your Crop Share, from November to April, produce is supplemented from organic veg grown by trusted partners such as Organic North or by our other Growing Well sites at Tebay Services and Kendal.
How and where do I collect my Crop Share?
From site: Crop Shares are ready for collection from our site at Beck Green Nurseries, Egremont on Thursday between 4pm and 5pm, and Friday between 9am and 5pm, each Crop Share week.
From a collection point: Crop Shares are ready for collection from the following points on Friday during opening hours, each Crop Share week. With the exception of Beckermet Reading Rooms which is anytime after 6pm on Thursday (with access code).
- Muncaster Castle Reception
- Mawson’s Ice Cream Parlour, Seascale
- Beach Road Bakehouse Café, St Bees
- Beckermet Reading Rooms
Further, full instructions will be provided when you sign-up for Crop Share. We will need you to let us know which collection point you’d like to use. Please note: collections points are not refrigerated so we advise you to collect as timely as possible.
What if I don't collect my Crop Share?
On site: Any Crop Share boxes and vegetables left over on the following Monday at 5pm will be donated to local causes or given to the people we support to take home.
At collection points: Any Crop Share boxes left over after closing times on Sunday are donated or used by local partners.
Can Crop Sharers collect for each other?
Yes! We have a number of groups of neighbours or near neighbours who arrange their own group collection rota.
We do not manage these ourselves but can let new Crop Sharers know of any local groups and put you in touch.
Why can't you deliver my Crop Share?
We consider this regularly but always find it would not be cost effective to offer a professional delivery service while we have so many members who are happy to collect from the farm.
It would also reduce the amount of income from the Crop Share which supports the day-to-day running of Growing Well.
What happens when I'm away on holiday?
Crop Sharers can have ‘holidays’ from two Crop Shares a year. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a payment holiday.
If you’re going to be away for more time we suggest you offer your share to a neighbour or a friend – perhaps interesting them in joining the scheme at the same time! Alternatively, you can direct us to donate your Crop Share to the people we support.
In any case, if you do not need your Crop Share packing then please give us at least one week’s notice and we’ll ensure that we don’t harvest more vegetables or pack more than we need.
What if I decide to leave the Crop Share scheme?
We value your participation in our Crop Share and would be sorry to see you go. Your involvement supports our local charity and helps us deliver fresh, seasonal organic produce to our community.
If our Crop Share no longer meets your needs, we completely understand – but before you decide to leave, please let us know if there’s anything we can adjust to better suit your preferences. We’re committed to finding solutions that work for us both.
If you decide to leave, all we ask is one month’s notice by email to [email protected] so we can adjust accordingly. We’ll collect your final payment and cancel your direct debit.
Growing Well West Cumbria major funders:
Growing Well West Cumbria major funders:
