Canberrans can create community gardens, grow their own food, and contribute to happy and resilient communities through the ACT Government’s new partnership with Grow it Local and $60,000 more funding for the Community Garden Grants program.

“We are in the middle of an inequality crisis,” Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for the Environment, said. “Food production in community gardens, and even our own gardens at home, can contribute to protecting our local community from the rising costs of goods on supermarket shelves.

“We know that people who grow their own food are happier, healthier and more knowledgeable about issues like food waste and the climate impacts of food production.

“As people build their confidence and skills to grow their own food, they can save money, have more healthy food options, and be more connected to their local communities. Grow it Local and an expanded community garden grants program provides great opportunities to facilitate this.”

Grow It Local is a free online platform that aims to get more Australians growing, sharing, and eating locally-grown foods. It includes backyard, balcony, community, and window-sill farmers across Australia.

“Grow it Local will empower Canberrans to learn to grow their own food at home and build their confidence,” Ms Vassarotti said. “It will also … connect new growers to Canberra’s many thriving local food groups.”

Explore the free Grow it Local online platform at: www.growitlocal.com.

The government will increase funding for the next round of Community Garden Grants from $40,000 to $100,000, “to further bolster the Canberra community’s efforts towards sustainable food production”, Ms Vassarotti said.

Funding of up to $10,000 per project is available to enhance existing gardens or to establish small low impact gardens, while up to $20,000 is available to create new, large-scale food production community gardens or for significant garden infrastructure.

The funding can help with the cost of materials, buying or hiring equipment and tools, or even employing contractors.

“A small amount of financial support can go a long way to help continue the great work of community gardeners,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“Community and public gardens are an important part of Canberra’s social fabric. As well as being places to grow food, community gardens have an important role to play in increasing our community’s resilience to climate change.”

Applications for Community Garden Grants are now open and will close on 7 September. Apply for a Community Garden Grant at: www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/community-garden-grants