PHILLIP Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) has taken another step forward in its mission to tackle local food insecurity, with the installation of a new glasshouse at its Settlement Road community garden. 

This marks the beginning of an expansion project funded by a $24,000 grant from VicHealth’s Growing Healthy Communities program.

The new glasshouse is described as the “engine room” of the garden, enabling volunteers to propagate seedlings that will soon fill an expanded network of garden beds. 

In addition to the glasshouse, the funding will provide for additional raised garden beds, soil, mulch, as well as garden bed screenings and lining an upgraded watering system, cold storage refrigeration, a PV solar energy system and other essential infrastructure.

Since re-launching in July 2023, PICAL’s community garden has become a vital part of the local emergency food supply chain. The garden produces over 30 kilograms of fresh, seasonal produce weekly, which is distributed through PICAL’s community pantry. 

The community pantry is the major emergency food relief service on Phillip Island and within a 35 kilometre radius in Gippsland, currently supporting more than 340 families per month – a number that continues to grow due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“This expansion allows us to produce more high-quality, locally grown food for those who need it most. We’re not just growing seasonal produce – we’re growing community resilience and connection,” said Neil Wilmot, volunteer and PICAL Community Garden Co-ordinator.

Operated by a dedicated team of 25 volunteers, the garden functions under sustainable “circular economy” principles by composting leftover organic waste from the community pantry. While open to the public when staffed, the garden’s primary purpose is to supply the community pantry with fresh food and offer volunteers a meaningful way to connect and contribute to the well-being of their community.

With the new glasshouse and other improvements funded by VicHealth’s Growing Healthy Communities program, PICAL, is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable food access, environmental responsibility and community empowerment on Phillip Island.