Seed swap key for food security

THE Long Gully Community Garden’s spring seedling and seed swap last month wasn’t as busy as it could have been, but it remains as necessary as ever.

The 90-minute event at the Energetic Street garden allowed Bendigo people to swap and take home seeds or seedlings gathered and grown by locals who are committed to increasing the amount of food grown locally.

Garden facilitator Jonathan Ridnell said attendance was not as high as past events, but that was probably due to insufficient leadup publicity.

But he said those who did turn up were satisfied.

“I got a bit of feedback that people didn’t know about it until it was too late,” Mr Ridnell said.

“But everybody brought something to swap and everybody took something home.”

Mr Ridnell said the garden fosters a love of gardening and the satisfaction of eating home-grown produce.

“The seedling swap invites gardeners to share excess seeds and seedlings, and for people to come along and ask questions, get advice and leave with a few plants to grow in their own gardens,” he said.

Seedlings were grown by community garden volunteers and seeds had been collected by members of Bendigo Seed Savers.

“The aim of the seedling swap is to encourage more people to think about where their food comes from, and to have a go at growing their own produce,” Mr Ridnell said.

“Unfortunately, changing economic times has meant food from shops is becoming more expensive and more people are struggling to put food on the table.

“Gardening can be one piece of the solution to our growing food security challenge.”

The community garden produces as much as 500 kilograms of produce each year, which goes through the Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre’s Mini Pantry.

The pantry’s purpose is to help people who find themselves in difficulty securing quality food for themselves and their families.

“It’s almost like an emergency pantry, and unfortunately it’s far too busy for me to feel comfortable about the food situation in Bendigo,” Mr Ridnell said.

The next seedling and seed swap will take place in March next year.