Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre to start delivering local harvest products to schools

This is just the first delivery for the Local Harvest School Programme. ADFSC will continue to add schools throughout the Abu Dhabi Emirate to its list of weekly deliveries.

"This programme is a way to promote local agriculture and agricultural products among school children," said Chris Hirst, CEO of ADFSC.

"Not only is local produce fresher than imported, but it's also more sustainable, having to travel much shorter distances," he added.

Those who ordered had the option of seven kilogram mixed boxes, salad boxes or soup boxes. The general mixed box is also available in a two kilogram size.

"We hope," said Hirst, "That this programme will generate more interest in local agriculture and lead to more hands-on educational opportunities like farm visits," he added.

The School Programme is part of a larger ADFSC programme to offer fresh local products to as much of the community as possible with as much convenience as possible.

"We have targeted specific communities as a way to encourage and nurture healthy eating habits," said Hirst. "We already make weekly deliveries to government entities, and adding schools was a natural progression," he added.

The current winter vegetable season is nearing its peak, and this programme is positioned to spread the swell of local produce that is coming into the market. ADFSC has signed contracts with about 1,100 farmers to supply Local Harvest products. The farmers who supply these products must follow production practices consistent with safe and sustainable agriculture.

As the programme develops, the selection of products will increase, especially as the height of the harvest season approaches in February. In all, Local Harvest offers 42 different fresh vegetables and herbs. In addition to common vegetables like cucumber and tomato, the organisation is working with farmers now growing crops like eggplant, sweet corn and marjoram.

Local Harvest also includes other products such as chicken, meat, eggs and dates that they hope to include in the programme soon. Currently these products are available through the organisation's 'Souq' outlets.