Today it is a productive food area that makes a positive difference to the lives of all who play a part in this community benefit activity.

The most recent addition to the garden is 50 laying hens that have been donated to the garden by the Inverell branch of the Westpac Bank. 

Westpac manager Monica Mastop said the bank was proud to support the project.

“The garden is now able to supply fresh eggs to complement the fresh vegetables grown at the garden,” she said.

The hens (known as the ‘Westpac Chicks’) have made the garden their new home thanks to Connection Disability Service, which funded and constructed a 200 square metre fox-proof chicken coop.  It was designed to allow for easy access for people with disability to collect the eggs and care for the hens.

The chickens will provide a therapeutic activity for people with a disability and manager of Connections Robyn Duff said the chickens added another fabulous experience for Connections clients. 

“We are now gathering eggs from the chickens that are a welcome addition to the vegetable packs being delivered three times a week to community members,” Ms Duff said. 

“This great community partnership continues to grow, providing positive outcomes for all involved”.

Danny Middleton from BEST Tree Tenders Nursery said all the waste from the garden was recycled through the chicken coop producing compost to go back into the garden. 

“The support the BEST Food Garden has received from businesses wishing to be involved has been fantastic,” he said.