Allotments bring a lot of pleasure

Did you know that Benecol® was originally introduced in Finland as part of a public health initiative designed to lower the nation's cholesterol? But it wasn't the first time the Finns had come up with a big idea to improve their well-being.

Back in the early 1900s, the Finnish authorities noticed the increasing popularity of allotments in countries like Germany and Sweden, and decided to promote the idea as part of their own social policy. It was thought that if Finns in towns and cities were encouraged to spend their spare time engaged in wholesome outdoor pursuits, they would enjoy better health and a more productive life.

Finland's first allotment garden opened in 1916, and their popularity has been increasing ever since. Today, there are more than nine allotment gardens in Helsinki alone, and more than 5,000 allotment gardeners in Finland - all of them looking to get away from the bustle of urban life by cultivating their own little patch of garden.

In addition to providing space for individual gardeners to grow vegetables, the allotments act as a strong social hub in their neighbourhoods. Communal areas provide space for friends and families to meet up - you will often find large groups coming together to share a barbecue in summer, or take part in a game of croquet. Some allotments even include swimming pools and saunas as part of their shared facilities. It seems that for many Finns, the allotment really does become a 'home from home'.

Unsurprisingly, demand for allotments in Finland is very high. According to research at the University of Helsinki, only one in ten change hands every year. Even the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, only reluctantly gave up her own allotment garden cottage following her election. For those Finns lucky enough to have one, an allotment is truly worth treasuring.