Grow it local with free seeds
Published on 28 February 2023
Healthy Loddon Campaspe has partnered with Grow It Local to encourage and educate residents across the region about healthy eating, cooking and growing local food.
To celebrate the partnership, Grow It Local, Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Central Goldfields Shire Council have launched the Autumn 2023 edition of the Grow It Local Seed Service – a patch-to-plate adventure that makes free heirloom seeds and instructional content available to local residents.
This instalment in the Seed Service is a Greek-inspired, seed-to-spanakopita adventure and celebration of Australia’s favourite gardening guru Costa Georgiadis. That’s right, we’ll be learning to grow Costa’s great grandma’s delicious spanakopita!
There is a limited supply of free seeds which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, residents need to visit https://www.growitlocal.com/stores/free-seed-service to receive a package containing heirloom seed varieties including kale (black Toscana), rainbow chard and spinach (Bloomsdale).
Participants will then learn to grow with Costa alongside a national community of backyard, community, and ‘wherever there’s some space’ gardeners. This includes instructions and inspiration for each stage in the grow-along journey from patch-to-plate. Support is also available via Grow It Local’s garden guru who can help troubleshoot any issues in your patch.
Paul West, Grow It Local co-founder said, “Grow it Local was born of the belief that if everyone grew their own food, we’d be happier and healthier.”
“A vibrant community life is essential for health and wellbeing. Grow It Local is the perfect way to connect to likeminded folk in your neck of the woods, share some food, some gardening tips and to have a bit of a chin wag”, said West.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe is a Victorian State Government funded initiative aimed at improving health outcomes in the Loddon Campaspe region – the heart of Victoria. Local government areas involved in the initiative are Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire and Mount Alexander Shire.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe Coordinator, Alicia O’Brien said “Healthy Loddon Campaspe is delighted to announce this first-of-its-kind regional partnership with Grow It Local.”
“Results from the 2019 Active Living Census told us that only one in eight adults in our region meet the daily vegetable consumption guidelines. By partnering with Grow It Local, we hope to create a fun and easy way for residents in our region to get involved in growing, cooking and eating local healthy produce.”
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said it was wonderful to see the Grow It Local campaign launched locally here in the Central Goldfields.
“What a fantastic opportunity for local residents to get involved in growing their own food and choosing healthy eating options.
“Thank you to the Victorian Government’s Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative for this unique partnership which supports the health outcomes of our local residents.”
Local residents, businesses, schools and community groups across the region are invited to register for the Grow It Local Seed Service via https://www.growitlocal.com/stores/free-seed-service