Linton food-swap shares homegrown goodies

LINTON’S Emergency Relief Pantry has launched a more formal and ongoing food-swap initiative.

During the supply shortages of the pandemic, many town residents decided to plant and grow their own produce at home.

But Linton and District Progress Association president Kylie Turville said veggie patches and orchards were offering more delicious goods than their owners needed.

“If people have excess, we thought, why don’t we get them to either donate it, swap it, or do something with it to bring to the Pantry?” she said.

Although the old Shire Hall’s Emergency Relief Pantry is open every day from 10am to 5pm, anyone is welcome to the more official food-swaps on Saturdays and Sundays.

“Homegrown produce has been really popular, like apples that would normally go to waste, pumpkins, tomatoes, quinces, and capsicums.

“Some people have been bringing along homemade chutneys, which is another nice way of them using their excess produce, without throwing it out or letting it go to waste,” Ms Turville said.

“It’s a place where people can take this excess or come and get some other stuff. It’s also a nice way for people to easily access locally and naturally grown produce.”

People are encouraged to swap items, like a pumpkin for some tomatoes for example, and if they’re able to, the Pantry invites them to make a donation.

“Even if it’s 10 cents for a big pumpkin, that helps, but if they can’t donate, we encourage them just to take some produce.

“If you need help, it’s there. We will keep it going for as long as people want it,” Ms Turville said.

Anyone with containers or cans of non-perishables could also swap those for a packet of something like pasta.

“The uptake has been really, really good. The response from community giving and taking is fabulous because Linton has a really strong community spirit.

“Without community support with donations, it would disappear, but because of Linton, a few key people, and the support of the Shire, it’s been able to continue,” Ms Turville said.