Essential Edibles - Our local 'Urban Orchard'

I attended the inaugural "Essential Edibles" share and swap market at Joslin Reserve in St Peters last Sunday 5th September. This community initiative has been set up by Lisa from Sustainable Communities SA, and is modelled on the very successful 'Urban Orchard' model that operates in communities around the world. Adelaide already has some very successful Urban Orchards, in particular the Clarence Park Urban Orchard which started in 2007.

The idea is for home growers to be able to easily redistribute any surplus from their gardens, and get produce in exchange that they may not have been able to grow themselves. More than that, it is a way of connecting up neighbours, providing a hub for the community, reducing food miles and building relationships.

It was a beautiful morning for the first Essential Edibles market, and I had a lovely time chatting with folks and picking up some fresh home grown produce and beautiful irises. See the write up from Sustainable Communities.

Essential Edibles takes place on the first Sunday of every month, from 8.30am to 11.30am at Joslin Reserve, Fourth Ave St Peters. See you at the next one!