A FESTIVAL of fresh produce, herbs, preserves and jams will be shared at Epping’s first Food Swap. Growers can bring their excess organic fruits and vegetables to swap with others at no cost. Organisers hope the swap will demonstrate that “fresh is best” and encourage residents to eat locally grown food.
Organiser Elaine Hamlet started growing her own produce at Mernda’s Carome Homestead seven months ago after a health scare. Her grandsons help tend the garden, which has become a memorial to their late father. Ms Hamlet has harvested more than enough food for her family, so she decided a community food swap would encourage healthy eating and rally community spirit.
“I’m semi-retired and it allows me to support myself with fresh food,” she said. “I question the quality of the food in the supermarket. “We can eat food that is grown locally, it’s there, it’s cheap and it’s fresh.”The Food Swap is held at Epping Primary School, 805 High St, Epping, every second Saturday of the month from 10am.