By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE Hills Food Frontier and Tecoma Uniting Church have officially launched the Food Is Free project that aims to reach out into the local community to provide a source of free and healthy foods.
The concept of Food is Free believes with an excess of food from home gardens or from bought produce, no single person should be without healthy food.
On 25 October, Yarra Ranges Councillor Mike Clarke launched the project as part of Fair Food Week co-ordinated by the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA).
The launch afternoon included an explanation of the Coolgardie safe where community members are encouraged to leave any surplus food, seedlings and seeds, and dry goods as well as take what they need.
The safe is located on the verandah of the church building opposite Tecoma bakery and all members of the community are encouraged to contribute to the program.
Co-ordinator Merryn Griffiths said they had a great day and was very excited to see how to project grow in the future.
“It was a fantastic day with a great turnout,” she said.
“A huge thank you to all who attended and are supporting this project and we are very excited to see how it will grow and how it allows anyone to have healthy food.”
The launch also has a demonstration of how to make a straw bale garden, hot composting, and how to improve your soil as well as ‘Nature Story Telling’ and time in the garden playground.
The following websites contain further information about the project and movement www.hillsfoodfrontier.com and www.foodisfreeproject.org
