Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and BEST Food Garden co-ordinator Danny Middleton pictured at the garden.
THE BEST Food Garden was a place of celebrations recently with the ‘Food With Thought’ community luncheon attracting well over 150 guests to the facility on the outskirts of Inverell.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was among the crowd and took the opportunity to give the garden’s co-ordinator Danny Middleton, the workers and supporters an additional 24,500 reasons to celebrate.
The MP announced BEST Food Garden had secured $24,500 grant from the NSW Government’s popular Community Building Partnership program to build an on-site disabled access toilet and washroom facility.
Mr Marshall has visited the community food garden on a number of occasions since it was established by BEST Employment to create meaningful activities and work skills within the community and to then distribute the fresh produce locally.
“Danny and his team of workers, volunteers and supporters have worked miracles at the garden centre in just a few short years,” Mr Marshall said.
“The garden has become a place where people living with disabilities can come and learn skills as well as have the satisfaction of seeing such great rewards in the produce from their efforts.
“The BEST Food Garden is a showcase of how to ‘grow’ self-esteem, skills, satisfaction and rewards across so many sectors of the community.
“I am delighted the government listened to the BEST Garden’s request and we’ve been able to secure funds to construct the new amenities block.”
Mr Middleton said he welcomed the news and was pleased that work can begin on building a permanent facility within easy reach of the garden.
“The funding to help finally build this facility is gratefully accepted,” Mr Middleton said.
“Workers will be thrilled that they won’t have to go too far from the garden to wash up and take a toilet break, it will make a huge difference every day.”