We all know how important it is to eat well, but sometimes it can be a challenge to feed our families as well as we would like to; especially with the rising cost of living. One new project in Glenorchy is working to make it that bit easier to obtain good food.
The Glenorchy Family Food Alliance has set up Garden 2 You, a food stall at Glenorchy Primary School that sells fresh, low-cost fruit and vegetables direct to teachers, students and parents. Project Officer Sophie Calic said that school and community gardens, neighbours and other organisations have begun donating fresh produce for the stall. They have sold well over a tonne of fresh fruit and veg in only eight weeks of business.
One young student shopping at the new stall said, “Shopping here is even better than shopping at the supermarket. I like how the corn looks real good, and the veggies are yummy. You get so much for not much money. Getting free stuff sometimes is great too!”
“The teachers also send students to the stall to buy ingredients for class cook-ups and parent cooking groups that are happening more and more often, thanks to this project. The kids enjoy doing the shopping, and picking the veg from the garden themselves”, Mrs Calic said.
The Glenorchy Family Food Alliance aims to get more and more of the produce for Garden 2 You from local gardens, and their new micro-enterprise program will help make this a reality. This program will guide people through the process of setting up their own small business to grow and sell fresh vegetables and herbs.
Christina Guidici from FIMBY (Food in My Backyard), who is running the micro-enterprise program in conjunction with the Glenorchy Family Food Alliance, said that the program is not just about gardening, but participants will also learn about writing a business plan, doing market research and product branding.
MrsCalic saidshe is ”excited about the possibility of seeing families all over Glenorchy growing fresh produce to sell direct to their school communities and local cafes.”
“This will enable our community to have better access to healthy, affordable food for our families and our future”, Mrs Calic said.
The Glenorchy Family Food Alliance is coordinated by Sustainable Living Tasmania with funding from the Tasmanian Food Security Fund.
Sophie Calic, Sustainable Living Tasmania
