Tomatoes, togetherness, and a taste of community!

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Warragul Community Garden for somewhere in the Italian countryside, as Yooralla Community Hub clients gathered for a very special day making passata and diced tomatoes.

Clients have been contributing to the upkeep of the garden since last year, tending the garden beds, watering plants and more. 

These occasions are always looked forward to by the clients, especially when they finish with a morning tea that provides the opportunity to connect with each other, as well as the other gardening group members. What brings people together more than a cup of tea and delicious treats, especially when they sometimes come from the garden itself! 

On this special day, the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes filled the air as everyone worked together, crushing the tomatoes through special contraptions, while others carefully diced fresh tomatoes or took on the important job of sealing the jars. The garden, usually a place of quiet growth, buzzed with energy and chatter.

By the afternoon, each client proudly took home a jar of their homemade sauce – a delicious reminder of the day’s work. 

More than just a gardening program, their time at the community garden has become a place of connection, belonging, and shared experiences.

Buon appetito!