Port produce tree celebrates 20th swap

ABOUT 30 people and a few dogs turned out to celebrate the Portarlington Produce Tree’s 20th Produce and Food Swap at the weekend.

Gabrielle Waller said Saturday resulted in the group’s biggest swap to date, since they began running in February.

“We had locals from Portarlington and surrounds, as well as visitors from Wallington, St Leonards, and Ocean Grove among other areas.

“The children enjoyed rock decorating, colouring in a Produce Tree, bubbles and nature play.

“The visitors enjoyed coffee, morning tea and chats in the sunshine.

“The swaps are as much about bringing the community together as it is about the food.

“It was such a magnificent day!”

Gabrielle said one thing that the group loved was the sharing cycle – how items are taken from the Produce Tree and created into something else, then reshared for others to enjoy.

“There was also food, lots of laughs, gardening advice, information on sustainable living, smiles and fun.”

The Produce Tree is accessible during daylight hours seven days a week to drop and take homegrown produce.

Swaps are weekly from 9am to 10.30am, and in cooler months they are fortnightly and a little later in the morning.

Swaps allow for items such as eggs, jams, baked goods, etc. to be swapped, as these items cannot be left at the tree (only uncut produce can be left).

Gabrielle said the group would love other likeminded locals to join in the fun and get involved.

The Portarlington Produce Tree is on Facebook and Instagram, and can also be contacted on [email protected].