A CHIRK man is looking to provide fresh food for those who need it most after turning an empty patch of land into an allotment growing fresh, health food.

Amer Nazir has been giving away fresh produce to help other people and the community, after acquiring a patch of land which was previously derelict.

After starting the project almost four years ago, Amer, who works as an actor, hopes his food can be donated to people who need it most after a rise in in-work poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He explained: “Rather than having it as an allotment, it’s a bit like a fresh food bank.

“The idea was to use the allotment to help other people and help the community, even if only in a small way.

“I thought there was a growing need to support communities, not just here, but throughout the country.

“In-work poverty has increased, so a lot of people needing support nowadays are people who have jobs, for example nurses.

“And I like growing food, and if you enjoy growing food and are lucky enough to do well with it, you always end up with an abundance, so I think the best thing to do is to give it to people who need it.”

Amer’s project was helped along by Network Rail, who kindly allowed him to use the space to place some raised beds to begin growing food.

So far, the plot has seen radishes, lettuces, potatoes, French beans, turnips, spring onions, carrots, spinach, kale and cauliflower grown and given away.

With the help of his wife and two sons, Amer has donated to places including the Chirk Community Cupboard – an initiative launched to combat food waste and allow residents to access free food.

He added: “We’re not going to change the world with it – we only have about eight large beds, but as and when we get stuff, we give it away.

“We’re learning as we go with it – when growing stuff, you’re in nature’s hands as well, but so far it has been good.

“To give food away, you have to meet British standards and comply with a number of regulations.

“We’re doing things as organically as we can and the passion has really been to get things right with it.”

Looking ahead, Amer’s ambition is to use his experience of growing fresh and healthy food to educate children, by inviting primary schools to the allotment and teaching them how to grow produce.