Sydney's Breton Ability Centre grows vegetables for on-site kitchen
Adults living with disabilities in Sydney are growing and harvesting vegetables for their facility's on-site kitchen.
Jolene Troke and Frank Atkinson are some of the folks who work in the vegetable garden at the Breton Ability Centre.
They've been hard at since the spring — getting many raised beds prepared, planting the veggies and of course, doing the harvesting.
"I like planting," says Troke. "Harvesting's not bad, but I think I prefer planting."
Some of Atkinson's favourite vegetables include parsnips and potatoes. This is his second year taking part in the project.
"I pull stuff out of the garden, pull weeds," he said.
This week they harvested carrots, lettuce and lots of different herbs — from oregano to sage.
Local gardener Pauline Singer coordinates the program. She sees lots of growth and not just in the garden.
"Oh, it's tremendous, just to see them. Take Frank for example. When Frank first started coming out last year he might maybe come out for five, 10 minutes, and eventually it's grown so he's out here the full two hours when the program runs and he looks forward to it."
'It's a great feeling'
After harvesting, they take the produce across the lawn to the kitchen where the cooks put it to good use.
Anthony Fong says it literally spices up their menus.
"Well, it's a great feeling to know that everything is fresh and again, it goes back to [seeing] the hard work that goes into growing it and teaching life skills to residents who otherwise may not have that opportunity outside."
Fong says they also dry many of the herbs, then infuse them in oils to be used throughout the year.
The gardening program runs well into the fall. Along with the harvesting, they're planting new crops that will be housed in the greenhouse over the winter.
Singer says it provides lots of new experiences for the participants.
"They're trying the beans and the peas and the carrots. We'll wash them off and we'll have some carrots. It's great and coordination and cooperation too. They have to work as a team when they're out here and everybody has their job to do and they all work well together and it's amazing."
For Troke and Atkinson — they just love it.
"I like the squash," said Atkinson.
"It makes me feel like I'm refreshed. Just good, no other way to describe it, just good," said Troke, laughing.
