Produce Preserving Parties in Masterton 

Oxford St Community Garden recently held its first Produce Preserving Party. The usual garden instruments of trowels and spades were replaced with peelers, wooden spoons (and drills!) as participants set about bottling 30 kg of tomatoes, apples and peaches – sourced from both the community garden and a local orchard. Preserving fruit and vegetables is an old art that’s being rediscovered. It’s a valuable way to reduce packaging, avoid waste and allows people to enjoy nutritious home-grown food year round – without the need for artificial preservatives and additives. In reclaiming the ability to grow and eat healthy food  (for less $) we also rediscover the joy of our vocation as gardeners – reconnecting with the land upon which our lives depend.

Oxford St Community Garden was established in November 2013 by a small group of interested community organisations and volunteers – led by Lynton and Anna Baird from A Rocha. The garden provides a social space for participants to learn how to grow fresh food together and shares the produce – each week a basket load of fresh vegetables is supplied to the Masterton Food Bank for distribution.

The preserving morning was a great success – relationships deepening over the sharing of ideas and learning of new skills. Future plans include holding a public preserving workshop in response to growing interest in how to grow and prepare food from scratch.  For more info visit:

http://oxfordstcommunitygarden.co.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/oxfordstcommunitygardenmstn/ 

Crazy scientist Lynton Baird utilising drill for apple peeling!

Garden stalwarts, Michael and Janet, tackling the 30 kg of tomatoes.