Sanctuary relies on luscious produce

For the past two years, cultivating fresh produce for the consumption of the home, is what St Martin’s Village has been striving towards.

St Martin’s Village is a sanctuary for abandoned children, and was established by the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in 2016.

In 2017, a vegetable garden was started for the purpose of the home becoming self sufficient, and using its garden produce, used to not only feed the children, but to sell and raise funds for the running of the centre.

“Being a non-profit organisation, it became difficult to provide meals. This is when the idea of a vegetable garden came to life,” said Pastor Thomas Beneke, who manages the home.

St Martin’s Village has since been identified as one of the vendors asked to sell fresh vegetables at the rejuvenated Newcastle Farmer’s Market, which takes place on June 8 at the Pines Wedding and Conference Village.

Staff who maintain the garden have been hard at work sowing seeds and ensuring only the best of the best are picked to be sold.

From luscious spinach, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, beetroot and rocket, the vegetable patch is blooming with organic and naturally grown vegetables.

Gardeners, Thulani Tshabalala and Mandla Mtshali have a vested interest in the upkeep of the garden as they are passionate about growing fresh produce and therefore contributing to the wholesome foods offered to the children at St Martin’s Village.

“We have an effective irrigation system that allows the plants to be irrigated without wasting water,” said Mtshali. “It is important to us to give the children at the home the best vegetables.”

At the Newcastle Farmer’s Market, Pastor Beneke, who has beehives, will be selling raw honey.

“Something which is not always available is comb honey, but anyone interested can look forward to tasting the purest form of honey in its natural state,” he said.

St Martin’s will also be selling home-made hot sauces, herbs and freshly cut sunflowers at the market.

The brains behind the Newcastle Farmer’s Market, Zuliana Harris is determined to find places like St Martin’s Village, who have the facilities to produce fresh products, to be sold at the market.

For more information about the Newcastle Farmer’s Market, contact Zuliana on 072 222 0227.

You can also like its Facebook page Newcastle Farmer’s Market to keep up-to-date with the latest developments.

ALSO READ: Straight from the farm to your table

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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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