A FORMER Oxford University student who caught the gardening bug at college is starting a co-op to grow and sell vegetables.

Joe Hassell, 24, has joined forces with four friends to establish Cultivate – a not-for profit co-operative aiming to provide fresh, local food direct from farmers.

Mr Hassell said: “While I was studying philosophy and politics at Worcester College I set up an allotment for students in the grounds. And when I left in 2009 I became a gardener at the college.”

The group has taken the lease on a five-acre market garden near Didcot and will sell the produce, along with fresh produce from other sustainable farmers. Mr Hassell said: “We will establish a pop-up market wherever people want one – outside business premises or schools for instance.”

Anyone investing a minimum of £100 in shares will become a member of the new co-op, which launches on Monday, though others may join by paying a £24 annual subscription. People can also volunteer their help or become champions of the scheme in their area.

Mr Hassell said: “The main point is that local food is a good solution to many environmental and social issues.

“More than 50 per cent of Britain’s food is imported and less than one per cent of that sold in Oxford is directly traded.

“We believe we can produce food that is now imported from Kenya, cutting down food miles.”

The blueprint for the venture was Oxgrow, where students and others – with the help of green group Low Carbon South Oxford – have been growing food on two former college tennis courts off Whitehouse Road, Oxford.

Mr Hassell said: “This will be a community owned scheme in which everyone may share. We have had a lot of pledges of support for the launch of our share offer.”

  • For details, see cultivateoxford.org