Held on the last Sunday of each month, at 3pm in the Valley Project rooms, North East Valley, the Crop Swap sessions attract people from across the city, keen to exchange their own excess items for supplies they need.
The Crop Swap in the Valley sessions began last year and are organised by Valley Project Community Development co-ordinator Claire Speedy, along with a team of enthusiastic participants including Lisa Daly, Dr Maria Martin, Karin Chalk, Kyle Atkins and Anthea Pryde.
Ms Speedy said Crop Swap in the Valley had been embraced by people of all walks of life and from across the city, all keen to share and share alike.
People brought a wide range of items to share, including garden produce, fresh baking, home-made dips and relishes, eggs, preserves, flowers, seedlings, bulbs, cuttings, gardening or cookbooks, honey, jams, pickles, bottling jars and more, she said.
"Any excess people have from the kitchen or garden, or items associated with production, are all hugely popular at the Crop Swap events," Ms Speedy said.
"People just love it."
After moving to Dunedin two years ago, Dr Martin was delighted when the Crop Swap in the Valley events began, offering connection with other like-minded people in the community.
"We have about 30 regulars and more people are coming along to join us each month from all across Dunedin, which is great," she said.
"Everyone here is very friendly and welcoming — it’s exciting to see what they have brought to share."
Ms Chalk said some people felt a little uncomfortable coming along, thinking they did not have enough to share, but all contributions were welcome.
"Some people bring along a lot of stuff, and others just one or two things, and that’s OK.
"It’s so exciting, you never know what will be there."
Ms Pryde said, as well as sharing produce, kitchen wares and more, the Crop Swap in the Valley events were a chance for the community to come together, enjoy social connection and learn from each other.
"Coming along is a great chance from learn from other people’s expertise with plants or preserves, which is great," she said.
"And it’s very nice to be part of such an interesting community of people — we are all excited about coming along each month."
Mr Atkins said it was very enjoyable to be able to meet with people at Crop Swap events and discuss how to achieve certain things — such as how he had managed to produce a substantial crop of ginger from his garden.
"Crop Swap is a really lovely combination of people enjoying each other’s company and sharing what they have," he said.
Ms Daly agreed, saying it was special to be together with people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.
"It feels like there is a lot of love shared at Crop Swap events," she said.
"And you get to share your excess produce with others and go home with great produce, preserves, or garden supplies."
The next Crop Swap in the Valley event will be held this Sunday, June 28, from 3pm-4pm (arrive from 2.45pm) in the Valley Project rooms, 262 North Rd, North East Valley. All welcome.
Crop Swap events are regularly held throughout the country, for more information visit the website cropswap.co.nz
