General News
2 November, 2022
Produce sharing pantry installed
TERANG gardeners have the opportunity to share excess produce with those in need after a give-and-take pantry was installed in town.
TERANG gardeners have the opportunity to share excess produce with those in need after a give-and-take pantry was installed in town.
The project was launched over theweekend as part of the Garden Harvest Share project, an initiative of Leadership Great South Coast.
The project has seen the installation of a small pantry for local edible gardeners to share what they can for others to take what they need.
The pantry is located at the Little AcornCafé at Terang.
Project lead Sarah Irving said the pantry provides an opportunity for local green thumbs to support others in the community.
“Sometimes the simplest solutions make the most sense,” she said.
“Generally a lot of care and attention goes into growing edible produce and no one likes to see that go to waste, so excess fruit and vegetables can be placed in these little pantries and made available to anyone in need.
“Sometimes we might just produce too much of one thing and need some variety in our diet so this is a great way to swap freshproduce too.”
Australia’s total spending on health in 2022–23 was estimated at $105.8 billion, representing 16.8 per cent of the Australian Government’s total expenditure.
However, one in five Australians’ experience food insecurity, and in particular access to nutrient rich fruit and vegetables which are critical for good health outcomes.
“Sometimes the simplest solutions are right at our back door – literally,” Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein said.
“The pandemic saw thousands of Australians turn to edible gardening for mental health and wellbeing in the context of increasing personal stress and social disconnectedness and many of these gardens produce more than the gardener can consume.”
Leadership Great South Coast executive officer Kate Roache said the additions of the pantries gave the community an opportunity to showcase its generosity.
‘This is an initiative to show what can be achieved with community generosity,”she said.
“The pantries are another addition to the growing share economy.
“We hope the community gets behind the initiative and keeps these pantries well stocked.”