By Casey Neill
Grown too much of a good thing? Swap it.
The Keysborough Res School Community Swap has been giving gardeners a chance to share their excess produce for the past few years.
No money changes hands.
Regular attendee Gaye Guest said fruit and veg were the focus, but non-green thumbs brought along other household items to exchange.
“We bring along anything that we don’t want anymore,” she said.
“At the end, we pack up the leftover items and take them home or to the op shop.”
Ms Guest said that participating really got her thinking about where her food was coming from and the environmental footprint from its travel.
Items ideal for swapping include fruit and vegetables, potted plants, seedlings and cuttings, eggs, home-made preserves, honey, bottles and jars, baked goods, and garden and cooking magazines and books.
Attendees have brought along home-made soaps, crocheted scarves, and small portions of products bought in bulk.
“These things are about bringing people together and sharing knowledge as well,” she said.
Noble Park Community Centre Garden Club meets at the Memorial Drive centre each Friday from 9am.
Starting on Friday 28 April, a Home Grown Swap Day for fruits and vegetables will run from 10.30am to 11.30am.
A Noble Park Community Centre staff member will be on hand to ensure the swap runs smoothly.
The idea is to share food, create friendships, build stronger communities and reduce waste.
Call 9547 5801 or email info@nobleparkcommunitycentre.org.au for more information about the Noble Park swap.
The Keysborough Res School Community Swap takes place from 10am to 11am on the fourth Saturday of each month.
It’s held at the Resurrection School Keysborough productive gardens, next to Keysborough Freedom Club.
Enter via the driveway, next to the retirement village at 414-418 Corrigan Road, Keysborough.
Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rscommunityfoodswap to get involved.
Get food swap savvy:
1. Bring along quality home-grown produce you don’t need – save it from going to waste and pick up something you do need.
2. Chat with other gardeners to share advice.
3. No money changes hands.
