Local food and drink directory

Eltham, Planter Boxes outside healthAbility

Township/suburb:

Eltham

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is membership based but membership is free.

The garden comprises several, large, raised beds. It is maintained by a group of volunteers who meet weekly on Thursdays, from 9-11.30am. New members are most welcome, whether you are an experienced gardener or absolute beginner. As well as growing fresh food to share or swap, you can also use the Living & Learning kitchen to make a meal from the harvest. Regular attendance is not required; rather, you can drop in when you like. You can join at any time and they just need you to register once.

Name:

Category:

Eucalypt Community Garden

Township/suburb:

Eltham

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

The produce from this planter box is freely available to any members of public who pass by.

There is a large planter box outside healthAbility at 917 Main Road, Eltham. It is under cover but irrigated. It was established in 2013.

Name:

Category:

Fairfield Community Garden

Township/suburb:

Wollert

Municipality:

Whittlesea

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is membership-based ($20 pa for a single and $40 pa for family).

Friends of Eucalypt Estate's group of volunteers have established a community garden in a public space behind the Bluestone Kitchen Cafe amongst the historic bluestone farmhouse and outbuildings. The garden is a space for the community to participate in growing sustainable organic produce-related activities in a friendly, inter-generational, accessible environment.

The aim of the garden is to provide a multi-functional space which facilitates and promotes community connectedness through the sharing of knowledge, skills and resources, such that people can come together to learn, share, relax and make friends. It is hoped that, over time, it will provide a range of physical, social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits to the diverse community.

They have been able to make progress because of an enormous community effort: they have the use of the land from one of their committee members; donation of a shed from Bunnings; donation of benches; donations of plants and seeds; and, most importantly, donation of time and labour.

There are monthly meetups at the garden, on the 3rd Sunday of every month, starting 10am.

Name:

Category:

Township/suburb:

Alphington

Municipality:

Darebin

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is allotment-based.

The garden has around 20 plots that are rented out annually by individuals or families who reside in the local area, or by community groups engaged in sustainable activities and which are able to contribute consistently to the garden culture.

The garden was established almost 20 years ago and is an initiative of Interact Fairfield Disability Services. It is a dynamic work space, all the time developing according to the energies and interests of participants.

Name:

Fairfield Food Swap

Category:

Food Justice, Food Relief

When:

3rd Saturday of the month, 11am-midday

Township/suburb:

Fairfield

Municipality:

Darebin

Notes (in their own words):

Organised by Transition Darebin.

Name:

FareShare

Category:

Township/suburb:

Abbotsford

Municipality:

City of Yarra

Notes (in their own words):

FareShare rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and cooks it into free nutritious meals for people in need. In Melbourne, with the help of 900 regular volunteers, it cooks around 5,500 free meals a day (i.e. around 1.3 million meals a year) for charities such as soup vans, homeless shelters, women’s refuges and community food banks. Its rescued food comes from supermarkets, wholesalers, farmers and other businesses (they have eight vans that collect produce from Woolworths stores and others). By avoiding food waste, and diverting surplus, edible food from landfill, it also reduces greenhouse gases. Its Melbourne headquarters is in Abbotsford.

Fareshare is a charity which relies on donations. Donate now.

Sourcing enough fresh vegetables to add nutrition to meals is one of FareShare's biggest challenges. It now has three sites in and around Melbourne where it grows its own vegetables, harvesting around 40 tonnes per year. One of those sites is in Abbotsford, which was previously disused VicTrack land but now grows a range of vegetables on 70 beds tended by volunteers, who are overseen by a Garden Manager. The choice of vegetables grown is dictated by the needs of the kitchen, which means that there is a focus on capsicums, carrots, celery, eggplants, leeks, parsnips, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, turnip and zucchini.

FareShare has written a manual to share their experiences of urban food production. Subjects covered include: crops grown and yield; soil; composting; integrated pest management; crop rotation; and companion planting. Click here to download.

Name:

Farm Raiser

Category:

Producer - primary, Vegetables

Local outlets:

Farmgate - Fridays 10am-2pm and Saturdays 9am-midday, opposite 12 Perkins Avenue, Bellfield

Local brands sold:

Dougharty Baker

Stone & Crow Cheese

Township/suburb:

Bellfield

Municipality:

Banyule

Notes (in their own words):

Farm Raiser is a not-for-profit urban, organic vegetable farm run by five young farmers (Charlotte, Kirsty, Patrick, Caitlin and Eve) on land behind Waratah Special Development School in Bellfield. Whilst not certified, they follow organic principles and don't use any chemicals. Summer 2020/21 was their first season.

They have a farmgate stall on Fridays 10am-2pm and Saturdays 9am-midday, opposite 12 Perkins Avenue, Bellfield.

Name:

Fawkner Food Bowls

Category:

Finbar Neighbourhood Garden

Township/suburb:

Fawkner

Municipality:

Merri-Bek

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is membership-based.

Fawkner Food Bowls is a resident-led group growing food, sharing skills, and socialising in a family-friendly space. It is based on a communal market garden model where members can learn about, and contribute to, growing crops that are then sold to support the running of the garden. They have a range of memberships, with general membership being $25 pa; this entitles people to discounts on produce, events and seedlings. Membership is open to anyone.

Work on the garden began in 2017 with the help of Moreland City Council, Fawkner Bowling Club, and the Neighbourhood Project. They have since received grants from Moreland City Council, CoDesign Studio, Moreland Energy Foundation Inc. and the State Government. The starting point was a disused lawn bowls green. Since that time, they have created social garden spaces, a children's play area and vegetable growing rows. They are now developing more space for people to bring and share seeds, seedlings, plants, food, and ideas plus they have plans to construct a shelter. Fawkner Food Bowls is an incorporated group.

A number of events, workshops and celebrations are organised at the garden including: soil, composting and companion planting workshops; the Fawkner Lane-way Festival and Fawkner Festas (where tomato seedlings are given away); passata making; and winter solstice celebrations.

The garden is open on Sundays for working bees, market stall, and socialising.

Name:

Category:

First Choice Gourmet Catering

Township/suburb:

Richmond

Municipality:

City of Yarra

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is open to the public.

The garden comprises 10 large garden beds, a compost exchange scheme, and a seed library.

The main purpose of the garden beds is to grow food to give away. Once harvested, the vegetables are put onto 'food is free' shelves which the public can access. People can also donate vegetables for these shelves.

The purpose of the compost exchange scheme is to turn kitchen scraps into usable compost. People drop off a bucket of kitchen scraps and take away an empty bucket to fill again. They can also take away compost - anyone can order up to three buckets of compost at a time by phone (9428 7668) or email.

The aim of the seed library is to encourage people to grow food at home. People are welcome to take, share or donate seeds.

Someone is in the garden every Monday from midday to 1.30pm - feel free to drop in for a chat, seek gardening advice, pick up some compost juice, or pick up some worms. There are also regular workshops.

Name:

Category:

Catering, Eatery

Products:

Full service catering

Township/suburb:

Eltham North

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

First Choice Gourmet Catering is a full service catering company, operating throughout North East Melbourne. It focuses on providing high quality food for both private and corporate clients at commonsense pricing and with highly personalised attention to detail. Its owner, Emmanuel Buchanan, has been in the catering business for 35 years.

View/download all of First Choice Gourmet Catering's menus.

Name:

Fitzroy Urban Harvest Food Swap

Category:

When:

1st Saturday of the month, 10.30am-midday

Township/suburb:

Fitzroy

Municipality:

City of Yarra

Name:

Food is Free Blackburn

Category:

Township/suburb:

Blackburn

Municipality:

Whitehorse

Notes (in their own words):

This is a social permaculture initiative to share resources, distribute surplus, create connection, help other people, and strengthen community ties.

Name:

Food is Free Hurstbridge

Category:

Township/suburb:

Hurstbridge

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

This initiative is one of a number of related food-related initiatives at the site (others include a food swap, a community garden and a seed library).

The Food is Free table is situated under the verandah outside the entrance to the Hurstbridge Community Hub.

Anyone in the community can take from table and you don’t need to contribute anything or leave items in its place. Homegrown food and other items that are left over from the twice monthly food swap are placed on the Food is Free table for everyone in the community to access.

Individual donations of food and garden-related items can be left on the table at any time. Don’t throw those extras in the compost, red bin or recycle: share them with the community!

You can join their Facebook group for regular updates on what is happening.

Name:

Food is Free Nunawading

Category:

Food is Free Ringwood East

Township/suburb:

Nunawading

Municipality:

Whitehorse

Notes (in their own words):

Food is Free Nunawading aims to give back and build community connections through the sharing of surplus food and produce.

Name:

Category:

When:

Open 24/7

Township/suburb:

Ringwood East

Municipality:

Maroondah

Notes (in their own words):

People leave surplus from their pantry or garden. It is all about community and contribution. Generosity, in giving and receiving. All are welcome. It is all free. Located on the fence line and open 24/7.

Name:

Food is Free Warrandyte

Category:

Township/suburb:

Warrandyte

Municipality:

Manningham

Notes (in their own words):

The food has all been donated— it’s fresh and free to anybody who needs it. There are gold coin donation boxes to help people feel more comfortable taking the food.

Name:

Food is Free, Kilsyth

Category:

Forest Hill Urban Harvest

When:

Open 24/7

Township/suburb:

Kilsyth

Municipality:

Yarra Ranges

Notes (in their own words):

Give what you can, take what you can use. For all neighbours to share in: unopened pantry, toiletries & sanitary items; fresh garden veggies & fruits; and bakery items.

Name:

Category:

Ice Cream, Producer - secondary

When:

3rd Saturday of the month, 10-11.30am

Township/suburb:

Forest Hill

Municipality:

Whitehorse

Notes (in their own words):

Organised by Whitehorse Urban Harvest.

Name:

Fritz Gelato

Category:

Products:

Gelato and sorbet

Local outlets:

Own shop

Township/suburb:

Richmond

Municipality:

City of Yarra

Notes (in their own words):

Fritz Gelato sells low-fat, healthy, organic gelato. They currently provide 132 flavours of gelato and their range will continue to develop over time.

Name:

Garden of Plenty, Diamond Valley Library, Greensborough

Category:

Australian Harvest / Bio Grape

Township/suburb:

Greensborough

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

The produce from this garden is freely available to any members of public who pass by.

The garden is open to the public 6 days per week and provides a valuable place of engagement, education and participation in sustainable living practices. The produce is available to be shared by the community and also to engage the concept of food sharing. It is a place which is open to all to enjoy either planting, harvesting or tending the garden. The installation of four wicking beds, with the help of Diamond Creek Men’s Shed, has meant the produce is thriving in all conditions and the boxes are at a great height for all to enjoy.

The garden has inter-generational appeal with programs including: storytimes to kindergartens and schools; workshops with schools with an environmental focus; monthly workshops to the general community; and a monthly food swap. The production of a number of food sources are also shared with the community, not only in the garden, but at events such as the Home Harvest Festival.

Associated regular events:
1. Working bee – every Thursday, 10-11am.
2. Food Swap – 2nd Saturday of the month, 10-11am.

An alternative contact is Jackie Moroney (jmoroney@yprl.vic.gov.au).

Name:

Gateway Market

Category:

Cafe, Deli, Eatery, Producer - primary, Shop, Vegetables, Vegetables & Fruit

Products:

Vegetables and herbs

Local outlets:

Own shop - open 7 days, 9am-5pm.

Local brands sold:

Kookaberry Strawberry Farm

The Good Brew Company

Unforgettable Products

Yarra Valley Dairy

Yarra Valley Gourmet Foods

Yarra Valley Tea Company

Cunliffe & Waters
Montrose Meats & Smokehouse

Township/suburb:

Coldstream

Municipality:

Yarra Ranges

Notes (in their own words):

Gateway Market grows a wide range of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers. These are grown in a temperature-controlled hydroponic greenhouse, which uses much less water than conventional growing methods. Shoppers can pick their produce directly from the plants.

As well as their own produce, Gateway Market sells a range of fruit, vegetables, cheese, pies, chutneys and jams, all grown or made in the Yarra Valley.

They also have a cafe.

Name:

Gembrook Potatoes

Category:

Products:

Brushed potatoes: Nicola, Kipfler, Lady Jane, Dutch Cream and Sebago. Also pumpkins.

Local outlets:

Warrandyte Riverside Market

Park Orchards Market

Notes (in their own words):

Both Elaine's and Joe's fathers were potato farmers and they themselves have been growing potatoes for 45 years. They supply freshly dug, good-eating potatoes.

Name:

Girl Made Chocolate

Category:

Chocolate, Producer - secondary

Products:

Vegan, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, raw chocolate

Certified Organic ingredients

Local outlets:

The Fitzroy Mills Market

The Food Repository, Fitzroy

Township/suburb:

Northcote

Municipality:

Darebin

Notes (in their own words):

Girl Made Chocolate produce handmade, raw chocolate blocks which are vegan, dairy-free and refined sugar-free. They use Certified Organic ingredients. Their flavours include salty walnut, chilli, goji berry and mint. Their chocolate is healthy for both humans and the environment.

Name:

Glen Park Oaks Community Garden

Category:

Gorgeous George Probiotics

Township/suburb:

Bayswater North

Municipality:

Maroondah

Notes (in their own words):

This garden is open to the public.

The community garden is a shared communal space for gardening, interacting and learning whereby members of the community can harvest vegetables as well as the group of volunteers who manage the garden. Owned and managed by Maroondah City Council, with the assistance of volunteers, its aim is to focus on, and share, the benefits provided by gardening – where the harvest is just an added bonus.

Name:

Category:

Products:

Probiotic beverages and condiments

Local outlets:

Bread & Baked Goods, Producer - secondary

Notes (in their own words):

Gorgeous George Probiotics' products include kombucha, water kefir, sauerkraut, prebiotic dips, vegan pestos and apple cider vinegar tonic.

Name:

Gourmet Pies

Category:

Products:

Pies

Local outlets:

Alphington Farmers' Market

Carlton Farmers' Market

Coburg Farmers' Market

Yarra Glen Racecourse Market

Township/suburb:

Brunswick

Municipality:

Merri-Bek

Notes (in their own words):

Everyone loves a good pie. You can get an average pie anywhere but a pie that surprises you with its complex flavour in a package so simple and familiar is rare. Gourmet Pies takes pride in its pies; quality ingredients and all handmade. The available pies include: beef and mushroom; beef burgundy; beef curry; chicken and mushroom; chunky steak; chunky steak and cheese; pulled lamb and caramalised onion; red lentil and ratatouille; scallop and saffron; tandoori chicken; traditional plain aussie pie; and vegetarian.

Name:

Greenhills Neighbourhood House

Category:

Food is Free / Pantry, Food Justice, Food Relief

Township/suburb:

Greensborough

Municipality:

Banyule

Notes (in their own words):

Greenhills Neighbourhood House has a food relief centre that offers fresh food, pantry items and toiletries on Thursdays and Fridays each week (except between Christmas and New Year). They also serve low-cost barista coffee. More generally, they offer support to everyone and can also give referrals to other connected programs.

In line with their model of 'donate what you can and take what you need', they accept donations from the local community.

They often organise swaps (of books, puzzles, plants and clothes) to reduce waste in the community.

They have community composting and recycling programs plus a number of veggies beds.

Name:

Greensborough Food Swap

Category:

When:

3rd Saturday of the month, 10-11am

Township/suburb:

Greensborough

Municipality:

Nillumbik

Notes (in their own words):

Contact either of the co-organisers: Glenn Mansfield by phone (0488 192198) or email or Margot Meredith by phone (0415 926642) or email.

There is a community garden at the location.

Name:

Grow Free, Lalor

Category:

Eatery, Ready to Eat Food

Township/suburb:

Lalor

Municipality:

Whittlesea

Notes (in their own words):

'Grow Free' is a movement "dedicated to making our food locally grown, organic and free" and they are currently" all about growing and giving away free organic, heirloom veggie/herb/flower seedlings for people to get their garden going". The movement started out in Adelaide but is now coming to Melbourne.

Name:

Harry Hoo

Category:

Products:

Spring rolls, dim sims, dumplings and won tons

Local outlets:

Coburg Farmers' Market

Warrandyte Riverside Market

Whitehorse Farmers' Market

Lilydale Craft and Produce Market

Township/suburb:

Bayswater

Municipality:

Maroondah

Notes (in their own words):

Harry Hoo started making dim sims 20 years ago and now sell a range of asian entrees at markets around Melbourne. All of their products are made fresh weekly, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, and with no fillers, artificial colours or flavours.

Name:

Hawthorn Community Gardens

Category:

Bread & Baked Goods, Producer - secondary

Township/suburb:

Hawthorn East

Municipality:

Boroondara

Notes (in their own words):

These gardens are allotment-based.

There are two gardens, one at 381 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East and the other in Linda Crescent, Hawthorn.

Hawthorn Community Gardens was established in 1980. Across its two locations, it has a total of 86 garden plots. Membership fees range from $80-100 per annum, depending on the size of the plot, and this includes access to gardening tools, water and social gatherings. There is currently a substantial waiting list for both gardens.

Name:

Healthybake

Category:

Products:

A wide range of organic healthy breads

Certified Organic ingredients

Local outlets:

Own shop

Bolton Street Deli & Liquor, Eltham

Natural Food Market

Organic Empire, Mount Evelyn

Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods, Balwyn
Leo's Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Rhubarb Rhubarb Organics, Preston
Terra Madre, Northcote

For other local outlets, email them (enquiries@healthybake.com.au) with your postcode.

Township/suburb:

Lilydale

Municipality:

Yarra Ranges

Notes (in their own words):

Healthybake make a wide range of breads, mostly using Certified Organic ingredients and with all their products that being free from chemical contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metal residues etc. Their range includes both wheat-alternative and gluten-free that are suitable for people with wheat allergies, diabetes or people wishing to eat healthy and experience different foods. They bake with ancient grains including, spelt, khorasan, oat, millet, barley and rye, as well as superfood and FODMAP friendly breads.

Name:

Heathmont Community Pantry

Category:

Heathmont Farmers’ Market

Township/suburb:

Heathmont

Municipality:

Maroondah

Notes (in their own words):

Heathmont Community Pantry is a free access pantry where locals can either donate goods or take what they need. Help them divert food from landfill and help out the community at the same time.

Name:

Category:

Farmers' Markets, Market, Non-accredited

When:

4th Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm

Township/suburb:

Heathmont

Municipality:

Maroondah

Name:

Heidelberg Food Swap

Category:

Heidelberg West Food Swap

When:

4th Saturday of the month, 10-11am

Township/suburb:

Heidelberg

Municipality:

Banyule

Notes (in their own words):

There is a community garden at the location.

Organised by Transition Warringal.

Name:

Category:

Eggs & Chickens, Eltham Farmers' Market, Producer - primary

When:

1st Saturday of the month, 10-11am

Township/suburb:

Heidelberg West

Municipality:

Banyule

Name:

Henley Farms

Category:

Local outlets:

Online