Elaine Hamlet runs the Epping Food Swap, where people exchange excess home-grown produce.
THE Food Swaps were established by Local Food Connect, of which I was a member. I started one in Epping last October and it is held once a month. There are now about 10 people that come along.
I had head and neck cancer 12 years ago and had to have radiation therapy on my face, which burnt out most of my saliva glands. My tastebuds were greatly reduced and I lost my teeth so I became interested in food and finding a way I could enjoy it again. I didn’t want to eat foods laced with chemicals, so I got a book about raw food and looked at what I could do. Now I grow produce and try to eat as much raw food as I can. I am also a volunteer at the Lalor Community Garden and I have a garden bed that I run with my grandsons. Home-grown produce lasts so much longer than the stuff you get in the supermarket. I think we really do need to grow locally and eat seasonally. The goal of the Food Swap is to get local food on local plates, as we know it is cheaper and healthier. It is also about sharing ideas and recipes and getting to know local people. When there is a glut of something, we can share ideas about what to do with it. We don’t like wasting anything. I preserve lemons and some people make jams and chutneys. We even have a gentleman who brings in duck eggs.
The next Food Swap is at Epping Primary School, 805 High Street, Epping, on June 9 from 10am-noon.
