A SUSTAINABLE way to get fresh produce is available at Ballarat community garden.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Goods are placed on the swap table and whatever is needed is taken, or for those who can\u2019t bring their own produce, a donation of any amount is accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d said organiser Althea Oliver.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different every month because of the seasonal produce.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides swapping produce, people stop and talk, and they swap knowledge of plants, food, recipes and meet likeminded people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s available to new people in Ballarat who are looking to establish a garden but don\u2019t have anything to swap as they can always swap for a donation to help with the running costs of the community garden.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no price on anything,\u201d she said. \u201cWhatever is left gets put out on the food is free table which is situated in Dyte Parade, so the general community benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope it continues to be a monthly community event that benefits all interested people in Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n