For the first time since the end of the 19th century chicory is being harvested from a centuries-old chicory cellar in Beveren (East Flanders). The cellar was last used 80 years ago, when it served as a shelter during the Second World War. After the conflict it was abandoned and forgotten. The cellar was discovered in the garden of a residential care home 2 years ago. ‘We are very proud, because it has yielded some beautiful chicory shoots. This pilot project is certainly a success,’ says care home director Kris Van Doninck.
Two years ago, Gerda Drieghe of nature organisation Bosgroep discovered the chicory cellar while renovating the garden. Dr Gerard de Paep used to live in the building that today houses the care home. During World War II the cellar served as an air-raid shelter for his family and some of the neighbours. After the war, the cellar was buried in earth and completely forgotten. The end of the 19th century was the last time that chicory, also known as Belgian endives by people in the Americas, was grown here, until this year’s harvest.
In early December, volunteers planted 200 chicory roots in the cellar. That seems a lot but they only filled a third of the available space. At the bottom they put a layer of horse manure that serves as a natural heat source. Three months after planting, the first harvest followed. ‘I believe we will continue to grow chicory here in the future, because the pilot project is clearly a success,’ says Director Van Doninck.
Sadly, the care home is not allowed to use the chicory in its kitchen: ‘Unfortunately, according to food safety rules, we are not allowed to use home-grown vegetables in our kitchen, so the chicory does not end up in our kitchen.’
But the volunteers and the residents of the care home will benefit from the proceeds of the harvest.