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The Armagh apples connecting a rural community 36 minutes ago Chloe Gibson BBC News NI BBC Joe Garvey has spent almost 70 years working with apples In the Orchard County of Armagh, where apple trees are part of the landscape, even some of the smallest Bramleys can be the hardest to sell. But Joe Garvey has found a way to give some of them a new purpose. He has spent almost 70 years working with apples and, after retiring, began looking for a way to reduce food waste while supporting older people in the village of Scotch Street.
That led to Macha's Orchard, a social enterprise producing apple juice and a unique powder supplement from smaller fruit and parts of the apple that would otherwise be discarded. The project is helping to fund the work of Richmount Rural Community Association, services Garvey describes as a "lifeline" for people living in rural isolation. "We can't rely on public funding for our pensioners group forever, so the idea was to start a little business that would help support people," he said.
For Heather Black, who attends the older people's group at the community centre, that support has become a vital part of her week. She lives in the countryside and does not drive. A community bus, which is now financially supported by Macha's Orchard collects her from home and brings her to the group.
"I just love everything about the wee club," she said. "We have games and a lovely dinner and lots of activities, I just love it." Black said the friendships she has made have become just as important. "I don't know what I would do without it.
I have made so many friends and mix in with everybody because that's what life is about," she added. A new purpose freshly picked Garvey says smaller apples are particularly suited to juice Garvey's idea for Macha's Orchard came from seeing how many apples were being wasted and he had a "eureka moment". The enterprise initially used unwanted peel and cores before turning its attention to smaller apples, which he said can be difficult for growers to sell.
"There's no demand for them, there's nowhere for them to go and they'll be left to rot," he said. The Bramley remains a familiar part of Northern Ireland's food culture, but Garvey said the market for fresh cooking apples has changed as people increasingly choose more convenient foods. He said the smaller apples are particularly suited to juice.
"It is much more beneficial to the community that we juice them at our own orchard than send them to a juicing factory where we get very little money," he said. Garvey said the enterprise is still small but believes it has great potential. "I like a challenge and I really enjoy being involved in the innovation." He said the project will not solve the wider problem of food waste, but believes it can make a huge difference locally.
A place to belong Heather Black and Carson Troughton attend the group every week The money raised through Macha's orchard helps to support the community association, including its bus service and the running of the centre. For people who live alone or have limited transport, the weekly group provides a regular opportunity to meet others. Carson Troughton, 88, has been attending for more than two years.
"I enjoy the company and having fun. We get a very good lunch, and it's a great part of my routine," he said. It is his one scheduled social event each week.
Carson also grows his own apples, giving him a personal connection to the fruit at the centre of Garvey's project. Hannah Larkin and Marie McCann both volunteer at the centre For Marie McCann, the group became particularly important after her husband died during the Covid-19 pandemic. She said she became isolated and spent long periods at home alone.
Now she volunteers at the centre, serving tea and coffee and helping with lunch. "It's absolutely brilliant. I would recommend this club to anybody," she said.
"You need a good club to get you out because when you're in your house on your own the day is long, so you need to get out of there. What Joe is doing is absolutely brilliant." Hannah Larkin became involved after retiring and now helps organise trips and activities. "When I joined it was the best thing that ever happened.
I have met a lot of lovely people and you're always made to feel wanted." Macha's Orchard produces apple juice and a unique powder supplement For Garvey, the project is about finding value in something that might otherwise be overlooked. "It was an absolute shame to see some of the apples lying on the ground and rotting," he said. And for the people at Richmount, the benefits extend well beyond what is produced in the orchard.
For Garvey, the message is simple: "There is no such thing as a bad apple, only one that has yet to find its purpose." More on this story
Source: BBC
