By Parker McKenzie
The Belgrave Food Garden will continue to grow both inside and outside of its home after receiving 12 months of funding from Yarra Ranges Council’s Grants for Community program.
Head of the Belgrave Food Garden Committee Ellie McSheedy said the $10,000 in funding — the most available to organisations through the grants program — will be used to continue existing programs while creating new ones.
“One is continuing the work we’ve already done around putting on free or low-cost workshops, to empower and educate the community to grow their own vegetables. We’ll do that all through next year,” she said.
“We’re also broadening some of our activities to bring in children’s workshops during school holidays; hopefully it’s appealing to a broader community again.”
The grant will also be used for a community compost scheme established by collaborating with the Belgrave Traders Association and Living and Learning Pakenham.
Ms McSheedy said the grant covers 12 months of activities and will ensure programs at the food garden are funded for the next year.
“We will also be fortunate enough to bring on a project officer for a few hours a week, which is going to really help with coordinating those extra workshops and activities for the community,” she said.
“We are continuing to grow the profile of the garden, recruit more volunteers and really try to make the garden space a real focal point of the Belgrave township, where people can come and meet and be together.”
Located at 1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave, the Food Garden was set up by volunteers in November 2021.
Ms McSheedy said securing the grant was only possible with the support and partnership of the local community.
“That’s absolutely critical in the success of the garden ongoing,” she said.
“We really truly want to work together.”
