From plate to paddock: Forest Glen farm launches free food scrap program
Hinterland households can now help grow local food while cutting waste thanks to a free food scrap drop-off program launched at Farleigh Farms, Forest Glen.
The family-run regenerative farm has established its Feed Your Food Program to collect suitable household food scraps and turn them into nutrient-rich compost for its orchard.
Manager Missy Duckworth said the initiative aimed to “close the loop from plate to paddock”.
“The community will ultimately be feeding their own food – drop off food scraps, compost, spread onto orchard, harvest, then food goes back to the community,” she said.
Rather than being sent to landfill, the collected scraps will be composted on the farm and used to improve soil health, nourish fruit trees and support a more resilient farming system.
The program will also help reduce household waste and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food scraps decomposing in landfill.
Farleigh Farms has joined the PEELS app, which allows residents to locate nearby food scrap collection points and check which items can and cannot be composted before visiting.
Missy said the farm hoped the convenient drop-off point would encourage more households to recognise food scraps as a resource rather than rubbish.
“As a small family farm, we’re passionate about demonstrating that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated – sometimes it’s as simple as saving your vegetable peels and coffee grounds instead of throwing them away,” she said.
The initiative also gives residents a practical opportunity to contribute directly to regenerative farming and local food production without needing to maintain their own composting system at home.
• Suitable scraps can be taken to Farleigh Farms at Parsons Road, Forest Glen. Residents should check the PEELS app for the drop-off location and a list of accepted items. For more information, phone Missy Duckworth on 0449 881 178 or email farleighfarms@gmail.com.
The program collects food scraps and turns them into nutrient-rich compost for its orchard.