Food that Connects Us

​At Clunes Neighbourhood House, food is more than something we eat, it’s also one of the ways we build connection, care for one another, and strengthen our community. We use food to create moments of belonging, to share what we have, and to make sure no one is left out.

​​

Food Swap

​

A food swap is a community event where people come together to exchange homegrown or homemade food and garden goods.  No money involved. It’s all about sharing, not selling.

​

You can bring things like:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden

• Herbs, seedlings, seeds

• Eggs from backyard chickens

• Homemade jams, chutneys, sauces, bread, or baked goods

• Preserved or fermented foods

• Homegrown honey or flowers

​

In return, you take home what others have brought. You might swap a bunch of lemons for a loaf of sourdough, or some herbs for a jar of jam. The idea is to share abundance, reduce waste, and enjoy a variety of fresh, local, and seasonal food.

​

When?  The fourth Saturday of every month at 25 Fraser Street, Clunes at 10am til 12 noon.  Why not pop along?

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

Food is Free​

​​

Fresh food. Shared freely. Grown by the community, for the community.

​

What is Food is Free?

Food is Free is a global grassroots movement that encourages people to grow and share food locally — for free. It’s based on a simple idea: when people grow extra produce, they share it with others instead of letting it go to waste.

​

Anyone can participate, by growing food, donating surplus produce, or simply taking what they need. It’s about building a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable community through kindness and sharing.​

​

How Does It Work in Clunes?

In Clunes, the Food is Free initiative is alive and thriving! Locals have come together to create a welcoming space where anyone can drop off or collect fresh produce.  No cost, no questions, no barriers.

 

Location: Rear of Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Bailey Street, Clunes.  Available 24/7.  Help yourself anytime!

​

You’ll find:

• Fresh home-grown fruits and vegetables

• Herbs, seedlings, and garden cuttings

• Sometimes even eggs, preserves, or baked goods

• A space to connect, give, and receive

 

Everything is freely given by generous locals who want to reduce food waste and make healthy food accessible to all.

 

Why It Matters

The Clunes Food is Free project:

• Supports community well-being

• Reduces food waste and landfill

• Improves access to fresh, healthy produce

• Builds stronger local connections

• Encourages growing and sharing skills

 

Whether you're growing too many zucchinis or just need a few tomatoes for dinner, Food is Free is here for you.

​​​

Do you have food you could share at the two #foodisfree stalls (70 Bailey Street and 25 Fraser Street) in town?  The idea is simple: take what you need, leave what you can. No cost, no barriers, just trust and generosity.

​

Alongside this, our Produce Swap events bring people together to exchange homegrown and homemade goods, turning surplus into shared value and building relationships along the way.

It’s not just about food, it’s about connection, sustainability, and local resilience.​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​

 

Across all of these initiatives, the goal is the same: to create a community where people feel they belong.