IFCF partners with The Orchard Project
Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF) is proud to announce a new three‑year national partnership with The Orchard Project, the UK’s only charity dedicated exclusively to creating, restoring and celebrating community orchards.
The collaboration will support the creation of vibrant green spaces in communities that need them most—connecting children, young people and local residents with nature while improving access to fresh fruit, biodiversity and outdoor learning opportunities.
Beginning in 2026, IFCF is investing £50,000 in the first year to co‑fund the planting of community orchards across the UK. The first three locations include:
- Stoneyfields Park, Edgware (London)
- St David’s Catholic Primary School, Swansea
- Calder Street Greenspace, Glasgow
These new orchards will boost local biodiversity, create welcoming public green spaces, and strengthen community connections. For children and young people, they offer inspiring outdoor classrooms where practical orchard skills, nature-based learning and food system awareness can flourish.
Alongside the orchard creation programme, IFCF will support The Orchard Project’s pioneering schools initiative. Working directly with schools across the UK, the programme will:
- Develop outdoor learning environments
- Teach hands‑on orchard care skills
- Inspire young people to engage with nature
- Encourage environmental stewardship for years to come
The partnership aligns with IFCF’s longstanding commitment to environmental action, children’s wellbeing and community engagement.
Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods and Chairman of IFCF, 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.”
Kath Rose, CEO of The Orchard Project, added:
“Community orchards offer local, inclusive and long‑term solutions to social and environmental challenges.
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.”
To learn more about The Orchard Project, visit: www.theorchardproject.org.uk.
