Garden group grows tasty milestone

CELEBRATIONS were in order for a Shire gardening group recently with the noting of a landmark for their signature event.

Inverleigh Community Gardeners looked back on five years of their monthly food swap, where residents meet for a chat, and trade produce.

With cupcakes handed out, group member Kloe Woods said it the ongoing support of the events was “fantastic.”

“It was so great to see so many people swapping food. There was so much produce, we had heaps of seedlings, fruit and vegetables, and it was just lovely,” she said.

“The town is so supportive, and I think we’ll only continue to gain momentum. We’re getting more and more regular attendants and the town’s getting bigger.”

The food swap signalled the group’s earliest activities, and it has since sparked an offshoot in Bannockburn which takes place on the opposite fortnight to Inverleigh’s.

Since then, the group has expanded to allow a seed library, and discussions are in place to establish a community garden.

With Inverleigh expanding alongside its gardening group, Ms Woods said a shared garden will allow them to continue the food swap “on a more permanent basis.”

“We had a bit of a meeting for it during our fifth anniversary swap, so that’s probably our next major goal moving forward to keep the momentum of the food swap happening,” she said.

“We want to try and involve the kindergarteners and local school and community groups as well.”

Ms Woods said that aside from giving locals a place to exchange their garden goods, the food swap also provides an opportunity to get involved with the community.

“It’s more than just swapping produce,” she said. “The knowledge is amazing from people who have lived in the area for a long time and know the tricks and tips of how to get things growing.

“A lot of gardening is trial and error, and when you’ve got like-minded people who are more than happy to share their secrets, it’s such a great community platform to keep going.”

The food swap occurs from 9.30am to 10am on the second Saturday of every month, at the Sonny Wholefood cafe and store.