Grow Carts: A Growing community service

By Paul Hammond & Cheryl Ivey

The Grow Cart Project
​This is a collaboration between Frasers Property, the City of Mandurah, the Mandurah Mens’ Shed, and Mandurah Community Garden. Located in front of the Community Centre on Landings Blvd, the Grow Cart is a place for everyone to share surplus produce like fruit, veggies, seeds etc with the community. The Mandurah Community Gardens team are the managing the cart, ensuring it thrives and provides a benefit to everyone in the community.
The launch of the project was at a BBQ held at the Frasers Landing community centre on September 15 2024, with Mandurah Community Gardens represented by committee member Cheryl Ivey.

What is a Grow Cart?​
A grow cart is a simple, yet ingenious concept that's gaining momentum in Australian communities. It's essentially a public space where people can share their surplus garden produce. This initiative promotes sustainability, fosters community spirit, and ensures everyone has access to fresh, healthy food.
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How Did Grow Carts Start?
The origins of grow carts in Australia is that they likely emerged from the country's thriving community gardening and food sharing movements. As people started cultivating their own food, they often found themselves with more produce than they could consume. To avoid waste and share their bounty, they began leaving extra veggies and fruits in designated areas for others to take.
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Over time, the idea of using a dedicated cart or container to centralize this sharing evolved. This made it easier for people to find and contribute to the community's food supply.

Why Grow Carts Are Gaining Popularity
The popularity of grow carts can be due to many factors:

• Sustainability: By reducing food waste and promoting local, organic food production, grow carts contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Community Building: These initiatives foster a sense of connection and cooperation among neighbors, strengthening community bonds.
• Food Access: Grow carts provide a reliable source of fresh, affordable food, especially for those who may have limited access to grocery stores or fresh produce.

Grow Carts: A Simple Yet Powerful Solution
Grow carts are a testament to the power of community and the positive impact that small actions can have. They offer a practical and sustainable solution to food waste and food insecurity, while also fostering a stronger sense of community. As Australia continues to embrace sustainable practices, grow carts are poised to play an increasingly important role in our food systems.

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​Mandurah's Grow Cart: A Community Gem
Mandurah Community Garden is proud to be a part of the growing community grow cart movement.
In partnership with the City of Mandurah, we maintain a grow cart at the local Fraser's Landing Community Centre with healthy organically grown food donated from our communal garden, by members, and donations from private gardens in the local community.

Our grow cart serves as a vibrant hub for food sharing and community engagement. Here, residents can drop off their surplus garden produce, knowing it will find a good home. Whether it's tomatoes, zucchini, herbs, or other fresh goodies, all donations are gratefully received.

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How to Get Involved:

• Donate: Simply bring your extra produce to the grow cart at Fraser's Landing Community Centre.
• Take: If you're in need of fresh produce, feel free to help yourself to whatever is available.
• Volunteer: Join our dedicated team of volunteers who help maintain the grow cart and promote its benefits.
• Become a member of Mandurah Community Gardens and help to grow food that can be stocked on the Grow Cart – while having fun and making great friends!

By participating in our grow cart initiative, you're not only helping to reduce food waste but also contributing to a more sustainable and connected community. Let's work together to nourish our community and planet!

The Grow Cart is located at The Frasers Landing Community Centre
A community hub for art groups, craft, mosaics, photography clubs, social ukulele classes, nature groups and more. Visit the Frasers Landing Frasers Landing community noticeboard for more details.

For more information about the Grow Cart, contact [email protected]