Sorry I'm late with today's blog post, we've been away from Struan Farm for a few days.
But we've been busy, rest assured! One of the things I've been working on is the possibility of a "Community Fruit & Veg Stand" for Piopio. This is a movement taking NZ by storm at the moment, with people and community groups organising themselves with the help of a fellow named Mark Dennis, the brainchild behind this fantastic initiative. Mark was recently profiled on TV1 as a "Good Sort."
I've been able to talk to several locals supportive of the idea, and also about the best possible location. Thankfully the head of our local Anglican op shop, "The Mustard Seed," was thrilled to have the stand placed outside the shop in a small niche that heretofore has been a neglected garden. "Project Piopio Trust," several members of whom are also keen on the community stand idea, agreed to move the children's art currently displayed in this area to allow us to erect the stand here.
For those who aren't familiar with the movement, it encourages people with surplus fruit and vegetables from their home gardens to donate that to the community. People can then swap what they have for what they might not, or simply take what they'd like so the food doesn't go to waste. It's a great idea, isn't it?
So here's the site:
Here's John measuring:
I'm hearing hammering coming from the workshop already. Here's the recycled base we'll use:
John and nephew Mike are going into Piopio this afternoon with the trailer to clean out the ground for the site. Mark Dennis signs us off, provides signage and puts us on the "Community Fruit & Veg Stands" map as well.
Will keep you posted on our progress and the grand opening! Right now Struan Farm has got walnuts, lemons, mandarins, rhubarb, herbs, maybe some greens, silverbeet/swiss chard and beetroot to share. I've bought some little bins for the produce and will make little signs for what I put in there.
Hope our local friends and community will support the cause, it's a good one from my perspective. I'll be taking flyers to the schools when things are up and running too.
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