Mt Pleasant swapping free food

Great things start with small beginnings and so it was for the very first Mt Pleasant Produce Swap meet. Several residents concerned about the wastage of food and resources within their community organised the Swap meet which was held on March 27.  

With only 12 locals turning up to the first swap there was an amazing array of produce including all types of fruit and vegetables, eggs, herbs, cakes, bread and plants and everyone went home laden with top quality food - all for free!

The basic idea behind the swap meet is to prevent wastage while at the same time increasing local community resilience. Some people turned up with their purses wanting to buy things but it is not about money, the basic idea is you bring an item and you take an item or more depending on what is available. "It's about sharing resources within the community" said one organiser Linda Rutland.  

The swap runs for an hour but during that time it is a hive of activity and is very social with people busy discussing how to cook or grow really good produce.

The next Produce Swap meet will be held on 25 April between 3pm and 4pm at the Mt Pleasant Community Centre. Any locally grown or bottled produce is accepted and baking is very popular.