You’re welcome for dinner: Eating the food we grow together

From tomatoes for an Italian Bruschetta to aloe vera for an East Timorese dessert, in community gardens across Melbourne’s north, gardeners who are both new to, and established in Australia are growing food that helps them connect with their culture. While some community gardeners participate in food swap groups, the growing of food together rarely extends into the eating of food together. We will enable both newly arrived and established Australian community gardeners to share their stories and food from the produce they grow by organising and and facilitating Welcome Dinners in their homes and gardens.

Coming together over a shared meal, all community members will build deeper connections, a shared sense of belonging and better physical and mental health. We are particularly excited to work with the East Reservoir community, which has a thriving community garden and a desire to build deeper connections between residents. These connections help create a more harmonious community based on a shared love of food; pride in our cultural stories; and a need to feel that we belong where we live.