The Urban Orchard is a model for homegrown urban produce growing and exchange. Friends of the Earth Adelaide, in collaboration with the Goodwood Goodfood Co-op established the Urban Orchard at the Clarence Park Community Centre in 2007.
The Urban Orchard is composed of a network of households across the inner suburbs of Adelaide who meet monthly to swap and share the produce of their backyard (or frontyard!) gardens, and conduct workshops on gardening and preserving the harvest. Similar exchanges are springing up across Australia as communities adapt the concept to meet their own local needs.
Why an Urban Orchard?
– To learn how to make marshmallow dolmathes and to raise awareness of traditional and innovative ways to use locally grown produce
– To provide an opportunity for people to utilise otherwise-wasted fruit, vegetables, herbs and seeds
– To create networks within the neighbourhood and build stronger local communities
– To reduce green waste and pressure on landfill
– To provide healthy, seasonal food for the community
– To share valuable skills, from pruning to preserving
– To reduce the need to transport produce from outside the city, state or country! Less transport means less fuel burned, less pollution and less greenhouse gas emissions.
The project facilitates a monthly produce swap; seasonal pruning workshops and fruit preserving, jam and sauce making days; assistance with harvesting and tree maintenance; information on backyard gardening techniques, pest control and more!
Where’s your local?
Community Fruit & Vege Swap (West Croydon)
10.00am, Saturdays weekly over summer, monthly over the cooler months
McInerney Reserve, Kilkenny – parking from Pinda St
Independently run by local residents
Brompton/Bowden Food Swap
10.00am, Saturdays
Parfitt Square Reserve, Bowden
Visit their Facebook page for more information
Essential Edibles (Joslin)
8.30am-11.30am, first Sunday of the month
Joslin Reserve, between Third and Fourth Avenues, Joslin
Visit http://sustainablecommunitiessa.wordpress.com/, or contact Lisa on 08 8132 1717 for more information
Henley Fruit and Veg Swap
10.00am-11.00am, first Saturday of the month, at alternating venues
Hosted by the Henley Community Garden and the Grange Organic and Sustainable Market
Email Alison for more information, or phone 0400 288 545
Mount Gambier Fruit and Veg Swap Meet
On the verandah of the Mount Gambier Library
Email Lucy for more information, or phone 08 8724 5222
Mount Pleasant Fruit and Veg Swap
9.00am-12.00noon, fortnightly on Sundays
Mount Pleasant Natural Resource Centre, 132 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant
Contact the Mount Pleasant Natural Resource Centre on 08 8568 1907
Nareen Produce Swap
10.00am-11.30am, last Sunday of every month
Nareen Hall, Nareen, Victoria
Contact Sardie on (03) 55798548
One Planet Market
9.00am-12noon, third Saturday of the month
Payneham Community Centre, 374 Payneham Rd, corner Arthur St
For more information, contact 0437 653 858 or sun45shine@hotmail.com
Semaphore Swap
10.00am, last Saturday of the month
Bower Cottages Community Centre, 200 Bower Road, Semaphore Park
Email Gale, or phone 08 8408 1395
The Urban Orchard (Clarence Park)
10.30am-11.30am, first Saturday of the month
Clarence Park Community Centre, 72-74 East Avenue, Black Forest
Email adelaide.office@foe.org.au
The Urban Orchard (Gawler)
First Saturday of the month
Gawler Community House, 2 Scheibener Terrace, Gawler
Email Jill for more information, or phone 8522 4601 or 0408 084 129
Walyo Yerta Produce, Seed and Seedling Exchange
9.00am-12noon, every Sunday
Walyo Yerta Community Garden, south of Veale Gardens, South Terrace, Adelaide
Email Mij for more information
Start one yourself!
Communities around Australia are adapting the Urban Orchard concept to meet this unique local needs. Click here to download a do-it-yourself guide based on our own experiences starting a produce exchange, and some things you might like to consider. We love to hear about new projects starting up, so let us know about your plans!
An Urban Orchard: the Film!
The new documentary An Urban Orchard, documenting the story of the Clarence Park swap, and celebrating food and gardening traditions on the Adelaide Plains premiered at the Feast of Film in August 2010.
The Adelaide Review – August 2009
Australia Today: September 2009
Stateline – Barter trade, 16 October 2009