Produce for community

Photo by Sarah Marquet.
Photo by Sarah Marquet.
Alexandra community garden manager Brian Seymour tends a plot during the annual planting day on Saturday.

The garden, which has 11 plots, a tunnel house and a glasshouse feeds people through the combined churches food bank programme.

Mr Seymour said it was the only such garden he knew of in the country.

Most of the plants and seeds are donated and any extras needed are paid for by donated money.

About 20 people turned out to help at the planting day.

An initial harvest is hoped for before Christmas, to make up hampers for those who need them.

A larger harvest will occur around January 10, or ''coupon day''.

Various organisations including churches, Winz, and Budget Advice, issue coupons to those in need, which are then exchanged for fresh produce or, later in the year, for preserved or frozen goods.

''Nothing gets wasted,'' Mr Seymour said.

It was estimated that over 600 people were fed from the food bank this year.

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