Excess food finds new home at swap

A SUSTAINABLE way to get fresh produce is available at Ballarat community garden.

A produce swap on the first Saturday of every month allows those with excess fruit and veg from their own gardens to exchange it for other goods.

Goods are placed on the swap table and whatever is needed is taken, or for those who can’t bring their own produce, a donation of any amount is accepted.

“It started as a direct swap but its turned into a communal swap where people bring excess produce, plants, seeds, fertiliser and they put them on the table and other people that come to the swap take what they need,” said organiser Althea Oliver.

“It’s different every month because of the seasonal produce.

“Besides swapping produce, people stop and talk, and they swap knowledge of plants, food, recipes and meet likeminded people.

“It’s available to new people in Ballarat who are looking to establish a garden but don’t have anything to swap as they can always swap for a donation to help with the running costs of the community garden.”

Ms Oliver said the initiative was particularly beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic as people could come and stock up paying whatever they could afford.

“There is no price on anything,” she said. “Whatever is left gets put out on the food is free table which is situated in Dyte Parade, so the general community benefits.

“I hope it continues to be a monthly community event that benefits all interested people in Ballarat.”