A bartering system where fresh produce can be exchanged for other food items – no money – is gaining in popularity.
Jimboomba local Jacky Brooks hosts “crop swaps” every second Sunday of the month at Jimboomba Community Gardens, where locals can swap home-grown produce, plants and preserves.
Mrs Brooks said the idea all started with her “extra lemons”.
“I joined Permaculture Connect on Facebook and started learning how to grow veggies through that,” she said.
“I had so much extra food from my harvests, for example my lemons, so I put a message up on the page to see if anyone wanted any or to swap produce. I got a huge response and decided to start something up straight away.
“Now we have about 40 to 50 people who come regularly and a few new members each time.”
Mrs Brooks said it’s about connecting with the community and sharing knowledge.
“There are so many different people; older people, people from different cultures and backgrounds and they bring such different skills to share. A lot of that traditional knowledge has been lost today, so it’s good to bring it back and keep it alive,” she said.
“It’s about connecting with the community and the skills and techniques I have learned – whether that be about gardening, preserving, harvesting, cooking – are absolutely priceless.
“You not only get some amazing fresh organic produce on the day, but you also feel that connection with people who have grown it and with the skills you learn and the seeds or plants you receive, you then have the ability to grow your own garden or have it double in size.”
Mrs Brooks said the crop swap helps her save on her grocery bill.
“I actually won’t go shopping until after the crop swap,” she said.
“It feels so lush to have fresh organic local produce and not have to pay for it, when you would otherwise pay a premium at the shops. We all just share and help each other out.”
Mrs Brooks said community gardens are a creative outlet to connect with nature in a sometimes-urban environment.
“Not many people know about us, because we are hidden away. We are trying to get more volunteers on board and run more events to connect more people,” she said.
“If you have anything to share from your garden or even if you don’t and want to learn about it – why not come along? It’s a free activity, you just show up and you get to socialise over a cup of tea or coffee and it’s a nice thing to do in this day and age when you can’t afford to take the whole family out every weekend.”
Jimboomba Community Gardens is at 101 Johanna Street, Jimboomba (in front of Hills College). To find your local gardens visit www.communitygarden.org.au
Do you know of a way your community is helping tackle the cost of living? Let us know via email media@mycitylogan.com.au
