Green Island Veg Economy
1446. Holly Maslen
Holly Maslen, from the Isle of Wight, created the ‘Green Island Veg Economy’ (GIVE) - enabling more than 7,000 people across the island to share their surplus home-grown fruit and vegetables with the most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Holly was inspired to set up the initiative at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to help foster a community spirit and assuage fears over food shortages, as well as a way of building on the Isle of Wight’s UNESCO Biosphere designation in 2019 by promoting a culture of self-sufficiency. Several stalls are now in place across the island for residents to drop off and pick up surplus produce.
In a personal letter to Holly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“With your ingenious Green Island Veg Economy, you have sown the seed of community action allowing thousands to share their home-grown produce and help nourish the most vulnerable in society.
“I hope that your brilliant initiative continues to flourish for a long time to come.”
Holly said:
“I am incredibly surprised, but honoured, to receive this award. ‘Green Island Veg Economy’ was set up in response to the uncertainty we all faced during the pandemic. I felt it was important to help make communities more self sufficient and at the same time create a new economy which didn’t involve money.”