Order Tatties Now – Hot Off The Press

PLACE your orders now in time for potato day says an environmental group which ran an apple press at a recent harvest festival. 

Transition Loughborough brought their apple press to Loughborough University’s annual Jarvest Festival, an artist– led, fruit routes’ event held around an edible campus of orchards and plants.   

Managing the press Janet Smith said orders for potatoes, garlic and shallots, beans, peas and green manures must be placed by November 23 to be ready for collection in January. 

“Pre – ordering tubers at a discounted price of 18 pence allows for ordering small quantities across a range of varieties that can trialed rather than committing to the bags of 20 usually sold,” said Janet. 

People queued up to enjoy the freshly – pressed fruit juice at the festival where jam jars could be filled with foraged fruits, seeds nuts and berries as well as home–made pickles and candles. There were songs, stories and dancing. 

Transition Loughborough runs Potato Day in conjunction with Transition Chesterfield to reduce prices by ordering in bulk. Both are part of a network of towns working for sustainable solutions to climate change and the energy crisis as well as issues around food production and waste. 

Fruit Routes is maintained by the University of Loughborough Sustainability and Gardens’ Teams to provide an enriched habitat for people, insects and animals and a location for cultural activities and outdoor learning. It undertakes the work of living as art; as a creative, material engagement with permaculture ethics in keeping with Loughborough’s determination to help create the possibility of a more sustainable and equitable world through knowledge and innovation. 

Martha Worsching from the student landscaping and gardening student said the event was popular this year with a bake–off competition of high standard. 

“The first day was unfortunately a wash – out but today there’s a lot of enthusiasm,” said Ms Worsching. 

Transition Loughborough is also holding one of its Repair Cafes at Fearon Hall on November 25 where it will be possible to learn more about how to up and re – cycle items to extend the circular economy. 

Orders for Potato Day can be made at: https://transitionchesterfield.org.uk/about-potato-day/instructions-for-online-pre-ordering/.