Food is free | Growing fruit and vegies | Gardening Australia

Food insecurity is a phrase often applied to developing countries, but it’s easy to forget that there are people within our own communities that may not be able to readily access and experience fresh, healthy, organic food for a variety of reasons. For backyard vegie growers, the problem is often the opposite – how can we sustainably manage excess produce and engage with our community? It can be as simple as sharing - gardeners providing their produce for free to those that need it most.

It was this philosophy that led Lou Ridsdale to found the Ballarat “Food is Free” Laneway in 2014 – initially just a table or two with Lou's excess produce and a couple of painted planters popped out in the laneway adjacent to her place. Lou and her mates had a BBQ and a yarn, erected the now well-loved #FOODISFREE sign in the Laneway, and hoped the community would engage and take the produce that they might need. And, slowly, they did.

Lou explains that the real turning point came about three weeks into the life of the laneway when someone left some Italian Parsley, with a note attached saying “I thought you might need this”. “And that was it” says Lou “I was hooked, and I knew it had legs”. In a classic case of “from little things big things grow”, the #FOODISFREE Laneway gained momentum, with people taking and leaving produce without expectation. The Laneway now boasts at least 100 visitors each day – taking the fresh fruit, vegies and herbs that they require, leaving their excess and exchanging seeds, jars, cuttings, pots, and, most importantly conversation.

“There is always someone up for a yarn in the Laneway, and the engagement with community has been tremendous. Neighbours are sharing a cuppa, conversation, gardening tips – to see strangers engage with each other and form a meaningful connection is a real joy, and so positive for Ballarat” says Lou.

Fast forward five years, and Food is Free Ballarat has expanded into an unused corner of the local park, thanks to the generosity of the local council. The Food Is Free Green Space opened in March 2018, with a team of volunteers transforming an unused section of oval into a thriving community green hub – complete with citrus orchard, 20 raised beds growing amazing produce all year round, companion and insectary plants.

Lou explains that the Green Space is “an all-inclusive space where at-risk and marginalized community groups are growing their own herbs and vegies for them to eat – any excess to their needs goes straight to the Laneway for sharing. And that’s one of the things I think is so great about the FIF Green Space –by providing people in crisis with some knowledge and a garden bed they can grow their own produce – people are engaged and empowered, often for the first time”.

That’s the key to this site – giving at risk individuals access to fresh, seasonal produce and the knowledge to grow their own.

They have loads of compost they are generating at the FIF Green Space which some of their 40 volunteers watches over. In addition to organic matter generated from the Green Space, they receive around 30 kilos of green waste a day dropped off at the Green Space by the Ballarat community which they compost or add to the bathtub worm farm which Costa installed at the site 12 months ago!

Lou explains that the future of the #FoodIsFree Ballarat Green Space site is bright, with funding secured and plans underway for an outdoor classroom. “We truly are nourishing the soul and the stomach”.

What advice would Lou Ridsdale give to anyone wanting to start a #FoodIsFree movement in their own community: “Just do it – make a #foodisfree sign, whack a zucchini on you letterbox, and see what happens! Engage with your neighbours, pop some tables or baskets on the footpath with excess produce and share food and hope! It’s all about making fresh food accessible for others, and the Australian movement is gaining momentum – there are 30 or 40 groups already, and loads of resources available to help communities start their own”.

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