When will Kehelland Trust new greengrocers open in Camborne

The Kehelland Trust hopes to open at the end of January, a week later than the previously planned January 13. The shop will be on Trelowarren Street, Camborne, in the former Racky's store, by the Kehelland Trust.

The shop will sell a range of fresh vegetables and herbs, produce, groceries, milk, honey, eggs and preserves. This will expand on produce sold by the Trust every week at Camborne Produce Market and wholesale to other retailers.

It will open on a phased basis, starting with a period of public consultation alongside Kehelland’s existing product range.

How the new shop could look (Image: Kehelland Trust)

When news of the shop broke in mid December there was an outpouring of support on social media, with many welcoming the return of greengrocers in the town centre, and somewhere they could buy fresh produce away from a supermarket. 

Others praised the opportunities being offered by the Kehelland Trust, as part of a project to support people with learning and physical disabilities find meaningful activity, training and work experience.

The charity supports young people and adults with disabilities to develop vocational skills in the areas of growing, harvesting and retailing produce.

Trainee Tina with rainbow chard (Image: Kehelland Trust)

It hopes the shop will meet the initial needs of the Camborne community, before refurbishing, adding new stock and opening with the full range of products.

The greengrocers will employ up to two Kehelland Trust staff and support up to two trainees a day, who will be supported in all aspects of running a shop.

Dawn Frisby, Kehelland Trust's sales coordinator, said: “We’ve already got a really good following for our Friday markets. We know we've got customers who love our produce, our story and enjoy meeting people from the trust.

“We believe it's really important that everybody is part of the community because it keeps people safe, and it helps to break down barriers.

Trainee Will with a large tomato (Image: Kehelland Trust)

“It's an amazing opportunity for the trainees but it's also safeguarding 16 acres of green space, which is cared for in a really empathetic way to the environment and nature.

“It's also a good employer for the local area - we’ve had trainees work in cafes, hotels and shops."

Kehelland Trust is an independent education and day service provider set across 16 acres of green space in Kehelland, northwest of Camborne.

The trust currently offers 150 day-service and 30 education placements each week to learners and trainees who come from across Cornwall. The focus is on independence, purpose and integration.

Some of the produce already sold by Kehelland (Image: Kehelland Trust)

The site is home to an extensive plant nursery, Cornish apple orchards, vegetable and herb plants a range of herbaceous wildlife-friendly perennials and native flowers. A newly funded community tree nursery produces native trees from seed and Cornish heritage apple trees.

The maintenance team on site support learners and trainees to produce a wide variety of insect houses, bird boxes and other wooden gift items. An onsite kitchen allows trainees to gain valuable life skills in hygiene awareness, food safety, meal planning and preparation.

Trainees work alongside trained staff to process site-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs to sell to the public, including around 2,000 bottles of apple juice a year, as well as plenty of jams, preserves, dried flowers and wedding confetti.