More on offer than just fresh veg

GROUNDS maintenance and car washing are two of the latest ventures being offered by North Bendigo non-for-profit business PepperGreen Farms.

The farm is a social enterprise of Access Australia Group and has been in operation for three decades, offering locals fresh produce as well as food and coffee since opening an onsite café more than four years ago.

AAG’s Jennie Walker said the farm prides itself on giving those less fortunate an opportunity to learn and grow.

“At Pepper Green farms what we are looking for is the opportunity to employ people with disabilities and people who are disadvantaged,” she said.

“We currently support and employ 70 people who are living with a disability.”

Ms Walker is excited by the enterprise’s latest offerings that’s aimed at giving more disadvantaged people a chance to work and gain experience in the community.

“We have a grounds maintenance team now,” she said.

“They will go out and mow and weed and clean up people gardens. It operates just like any other garden or mowing service.”

Another new offering is focused on giving your vehicle a clean.

“We also have a car wash on site that not a lot of people know about,” Ms Walker said. “We do a lot of contract cars, but we do also offer that service to the public.

“It’s a great service, because you can book your car in, drop it off and a have your lunch here at the café and an hour and half later your car is ready and clean inside and out.”

As for the cost of getting your car cleaned, there are a couple of factors Ms Walker said.

“It all depends on the size of the car,” she said. “Also, it makes a difference it has been cleaned in the last 10 years or not.”