Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF) has partnered with The Orchard Project, the only national charity dedicated solely to creating, maintaining and celebrating community orchards.
Kicking off in 2026, the new collaboration aims to connect children and young people with nature while improving access to green spaces in deprived areas.
IFCF has committed to a three-year partnership with The Orchard Project, co-founding the creation of community orchards nationwide.
The initiative begins with a £50,000 investment in the first year, supporting the planting of orchards in London, Swansea, and Glasgow. These orchards will provide fresh fruit, boost biodiversity and create a sense of community where it’s needed most.
The first three sites include Stoneyfields Park in Edgware, St David’s Catholic Primary School Swansea and Calder Street Greenspace in Glasgow.
IFCF partnership will also be supporting The Orchard Project’s pioneering schools programme to nurture future orchard leaders. Working with schools across the UK, the initiative will create vibrant outdoor learning spaces, teach practical orchard skills, and inspire young people to connect with nature and understand the food system – helping to grow the next generation of environmental stewards.
Lord Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods and chairman of Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation’s said: “Our new partnership with The Orchard Project reflects our shared commitment to creating greener, healthier communities as part of IFCF sustainability initiatives.
“Community orchards transform lives as much as landscapes. It’s about building opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn, and thrive. By supporting projects like this, we’re doing it right for people and the planet, and we hope to inspire others to explore how they can make a positive impact too.”
Kath Rose, CEO of The Orchard Project, said: “Community orchards offer local, inclusive, and long-term solutions to the social and environmental challenges we face. By equipping urban communities with the skills and resources they need to effectively steward green spaces, we are strengthening food security, enhancing biodiversity, and helping to create a social infrastructure that supports wellbeing and resilience.
“With IFCF’s support, we will be able to bring orchards into more communities across the UK and help nurture the next generation of orchardists.”
Community orchards are usually located in publicly accessible areas such as parks, housing estates, schools and community centres. They bring wide-ranging benefits to urban areas, including helping to tackle climate change by capturing carbon, improving air quality, and reducing flood risk, while boosting biodiversity.
Beyond their environmental impact, community orchards strengthen communities, reduce isolation and promote inclusivity, bringing people together around nature. For children, they can even serve as outdoor classrooms, fostering awareness of the food system and helping to ease eco-anxiety.
To find out more about The Orchard Project, visit: https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/
