SA Water partnership sows seed for new Berri community garden

Foodbank SA's Berri warehouse will soon be home to a vibrant community garden supporting disadvantaged members of the Riverland community, thanks to financial support provided through SA Water's Community Partnerships Program.

Announced as one of the program's nine recipients for 2020-21, the partnership will help prepare Foodbank's land adjacent to the Berri warehouse to grow a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for families in need.

SA Water's annual Community Partnerships Program provides $75,000 to support local community groups deliver events and projects that foster a better life in communities across regional and metropolitan South Australia.

Foodbank SA CEO Greg Pattinson said the garden will support food relief to the local community for years to come.

“We are excited to be partnering with SA Water to establish this community garden, with our Berri warehouse providing more than 500,000 meals per year to those experiencing food insecurity in the region," Greg said.

"This project will provide a functional space, not only engaging our volunteers and the broader community in gardening but will enable Foodbank SA to grow produce to be used in meal packs, food deliveries and be distributed via our Mobile Food Hub."

SA Water's General Manager Customers, Strategy and Innovation Anna Jackson said the utility is excited to support Foodbank in their efforts to improve the lives of many in the Riverland community.

"The site for the community garden is around 600-square-metres of scrubland currently sitting idle off the Old Sturt Highway, so we're pleased the support provided through this program will help get the land ready for planting and installing irrigation," Anna said.

"Many of our customers have ideas and events that make a real difference in the lives of others in the community, so we are looking forward to support of this program and other program recipients over the coming year."

To see the full list of successful recipients of the 2020-21 Community Partnerships Program, visit sawater.com.au.

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