Community garden distributes produce from surplus harvest

January 29th, 2011

The surplus produce from Motueka Community Garden's first bumper harvest is being distributed to places of need as the organising committee encourages more people to take part in this growing community facility (pun intended).

Last Thursday's Motueka Golden Bay News reported that some of the surplus vegetables that have been coming on stream over recent weeks are being donated (1) to the Motueka Night Shelter, for people in desperate need for physical assistance in housing and food due to some sudden change of circumstances, and (2) as a welcome to any new migrants to Motueka including seasonal workers, through the Community House.

Construction of the community garden began in September, when five communal beds were created and planted by a small but dedicated group. Produce including beans, cucumbers, peppers, corn, tomatoes and courgettes is now plenteous, and the chairman of the garden trust Ritchie Atkins is appealing for more Motuekans to join in working the gardens and take part in the ongoing harvest, especially now that it is obvious it will be a long-term community asset.

Last week half of that week's harvest was donated to the Night Shelter and the remainder given to Renee Alleyne for distribution among Pacifica seasonal workers, many of who are missing the fresh vegetables they grew back home.

Renee, who provides other services out of the Community House, was very active early last year in advocating and working for living conditions of these workers. We published a story back then about successful efforts to help with donated food - read that March 15th story here.

Having demonstrated the viability of the gardens, the Community Garden Trust is very keen to hear from other people who could help with working bees (on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings), and in return partake freely of the fruits of their labours.

Ritchie told Motueka Golden Bay News that working on the garden is "a social activity and you are outside in the lovely sunshine - what could be better? This garden exists for no other reason than to serve the community." For information, phone Ritchie at .

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