FOODSHARE Bendigo has started a pilot program to test out a new fruit and veggie box offering.<\/p>\n
With a subscription base of 11 to start, the group will be using customer experiences to help them create a sustainable fruit and veggie box service in the coming months.<\/p>\n
Food-share recently began farming on Golden Gums farm in Strathfieldsaye as part of their Grow-Cook-Share Food Hub.<\/p>\n
Bridget Bentley, the program\u2019s community engagement manager said the aim of the new project was to increase access to local fresh produce across Bendigo.<\/p>\n
Ms Bentley said the team at Foodshare were particularly interested in helping young people to engage with fresh food and farming processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have two young people who are employed through the project for a period of 12 months,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are getting lots of hands-on experience and developing their skills in growing through the mentorship and training of Steve, who looks after the farm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another part of the project is to make more culturally diverse foods available in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking to introduce some of those food types into our farm to grow what we can to help,\u201d Ms Bentley said.<\/p>\n
Foodshare identified the need for a greater variety of fresh produce throughout greater Bendigo by working with multicultural support agencies like LCMS and Regional Victorians of Colour.<\/p>\n
The farm is tended by a small team of volunteers who are currently growing winter staples like beetroot, leek, and cauliflower.<\/p>\n
Ms Bentley said the current fruit and veggie boxes were a way for Foodshare to trial getting their produce out into communities while growing income to support their projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOODSHARE Bendigo has started a pilot program to test out a new fruit and veggie box offering. With a subscription base of 11 to start, the group will be using customer experiences to help them create a sustainable fruit and veggie box service in the coming months. Food-share recently began farming on Golden Gums farm […]<\/p>\n