PICAL Pantry Garden opens its gates

The Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) Pantry Garden is holding an Open Day on Saturday October 31, from 9am to 1pm at Blue Gum Reserve, 119 Settlement Road in Cowes.

Producing more than 30 kilograms of fresh vegetables each week, the PICAL Pantry Garden helps put food on the tables of local families experiencing food insecurity.

The garden originally operated at the site of the new Phillip Island Community Hospital before relocating to Blue Gum Reserve, with volunteers helping to relocate the garden and one of Phillip Island's local historical sheds.

PICAL's Pantry Garden grows seasonal vegetables, including silver beet, carrots, onions, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, cucumbers and zucchinis, as well as herbs and fruit.
A hothouse introduced in mid-2025 allows volunteers to raise seedlings and grow plants from seed.

The garden also uses composting practices to minimise waste and support sustainable production.

Maintained by more than 20 local volunteers, the garden provides opportunities to socialise, build friendships and contribute to the community.

After harvest, volunteers deliver the fresh produce to PICAL's Emergency Food Relief Pantry, where it is distributed to local families needing food assistance.

More than 340 local families receive PICAL's food relief assistance each month, and demand has increased by 20 per cent over the past year, highlighting the garden's important contribution.

PICAL's Emergency Food Relief Pantry also receives food donations from local supermarkets and businesses.

The Pantry Garden Open Day on October 31, from 9am to 1pm, is an opportunity to explore the garden and learn more about its contribution to the community.

Visitors can enjoy a garden tour, workshops and a sausage sizzle, plant-and-preserve stalls, children's activities, Fix-It Café information stall and a White Elephant Stall.

Come and meet the volunteers and discover how this little garden is making a big impact in our community.