Beautiful weather conditions graced BEST Food Garden volunteers who planted the first crop of the spring season on Wednesday.
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Corn seeds were planted early ahead of the garden's annual Spring Plant Day on September 25, where around 180 people will get their hands dirty to help out.
Those who've been involved with BEST Food Garden throughout the year received a special invitation to the big event, where a few new vegetable varieties will be planted this season.
BEST Community Programs Manager Brett Hawkins said out of the 180, around 90 per cent of those who attend the plant day will have an important job to do.
From a couple of raised garden beds to over an acre of land, the BEST Food Garden has grown so much throughout the past five years.
The BEST Food Garden provides a safe space for people with disability and unemployed job seekers to learn new skills and participate in activities.
"Whatever we grow up here gets distributed around Inverell, Tingha, and far as Moree. The clientele we service are majority pensioners, but we also have people who are disadvantaged," he said.
Vegetables are propagated and harvested, then delivered free of charge by a number of disability agencies such as Brighter Access, IAS and BEST Connections.
Mr Hawkins said a relationship with rural outreach and the welfare system through BEST Community Shed ensured the community garden also accommodates more people actively asking for assistance.
BEST Community Garden's Matt Asara said different varieties of vegetables would be planted this spring to give clientele 'something new'.
Corn, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumbers, rockmelon, button squash, gramma and a variety of tomatoes will go in the ground.
"It's fulfilling to know you're part of something that benefits so many people. From providing fresh vegetables to the elderly and people doing it tough to giving people with disabilities an opportunity to interact and contribute," Mr Asara said.
Mr Hawkins said BEST Community Food Garden wasn't just about the veggies. A lot of elderly who receive packs look forward to the delivery each week.
"Even if it's a two-minute chat or a smile and exchange, it means a lot to them.
"It also means a lot to our helpers in the van because they know they have a job each week and they have fun collecting the eggs," he said.
For more information about BEST Community Food Garden, head to www.best.com.au/BEST-Food-Garden. The garden is funded entirely by BEST Employment, with the exception of a few small grants.