The first 100 Canberrans to register online with Grow It Local this month will get free vegetable seeds. 

The seeds include Japanese mizuna, chives, and radishes, “so Canberrans can make their favourite dishes at home, using these ingredients”, ACT environment minister Rebecca Vassarotti said. “This year’s theme is ‘from patch to primavera’, so the ingredients will help you make pasta primavera like a pro.”

The free seed offer is available until 2 November, or when seed packets run out. Seed packets will be mailed to recipients in November. For more information and to register, visit the Grow it Local website.

Grow It Local encourages Australians to grow, share, and eat locally grown food. People who register with the Canberra Grow it Local program can learn about soil preparation, seed sowing, planting, plant maintenance, and harvesting. Each stage in the patch-to-plate process includes instructional videos and a grow-along guide with gardener Casey Lister. They will also receive local growing guides and information about Canberra’s local food and gardening groups. 

“This tool is a great starting point for many Canberrans wanting to grow food in their own garden, particularly those who are new to food gardening and want to give it a try for the first time,” Ms Vassarotti said. 

The ACT Government wants to encourage more home and community gardens. 

“The ACT is heavily reliant on food produced interstate,” Ms Vassarotti said. 

“Food production in community gardens, and even our own gardens at home, can contribute significantly to building a community that is happier, healthier, and more knowledgeable about issues like food waste and the climate impacts of food production.”

The draft Canberra Region Local Food Strategy (released last month) aims to increase access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.

The ACT Government partnered with Grow it Local in June, to support its objectives: diverting food waste, sustainability, resilience, community engagement, and capacity building. 

 Visit YourSay for more information on the Draft Canberra Region Local Food Strategy. Consultation is open until 20 October.