Mini Farm 'exploring' expansion plan

The Mini Farm Project, which grows food free for those in need, is negotiating to open a new charity farm in the Caboolture region.

Nick Steiner, founder and CEO of The Mini Farm Project, said: “We have an opportunity with LuvaBerry that we are currently exploring”

Based at Ziviani Rd, Wamuran, LuvaBerry Farm is family owned and one of the region’s prime strawberry producers.

The Mini Farm Project already donates produce free to such as Caboolture Community Action, Meals on Wheels Moreton Bay, OzHarvest, and Moreton Bay Community Matters.

Rotary Club of Caboolture has “proudly” donated $7000 from its Christmas Trailer Raffle to help meet start-up costs of a mini farm in this region.

“The club has been watching this charity grow and seeing the huge benefit brings to the community by way of fresh foods grown, along with providing training to the next generation of farmers,” Community Services Director of Rotary Club of Caboolture Riana Botha said.

“The Mini Farm Project is in the process of building a new farm and will be introducing a new initiative, Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds for schools.

“The Rotary Club of Caboolture is throwing their support behind this excellent project.”

If Wamuran gets the green light, it will be The Mini Farm Project’s third centre joining sites at Millen Farm, Samford and Loganlea State High School

The project takes under-used land and turns it into urban farms.

“The need for food relief in the Moreton Bay Region is great,” founder of The Mini Farm Project Nick Steiner said.

“One in six Australians needlessly suffers food insecurity. Charities are doing it tough and need to buy produce each week to create meals.

“We can do better and provide charities in our region with free fresh and nutritious produce each week.

“Our aim is to reduce food insecurity in Queensland by 80 per cent by introducing a series of urban farms all the way from the border to Cairns.”

The search for a new mini farm site has targeted the Caboolture region. Land in Lower King St and North Harbour was considered.

Become a virtual farmer and make a donation to the Mini Farm Project at mfp.org.au/donate.

Donors’ names are placed on a donors’ board and they regular updates on activities and the amount of produce donated.