Cape kids series; Alex explores The Cape Community Farm
There’s something special about seeing the world through a child’s eyes, especially when that curiosity is turned towards something as important as how we grow our food.
Recently, Alex took on the role of roving reporter at The Cape Community Farm, chatting with farm manager Adrian to learn how the farm works, why it matters, and what makes it such an important part of life at The Cape. It was also a chance to discover how sustainability isn’t just about homes and energy, it’s about nourishment, sharing and learning practical life skills.
“Why did you build the community farm?” Alex asked.
It’s a simple question, and as Adrian explained, the farm is about far more than growing vegetables. It’s a place that brings people together, where neighbours can connect, learn new skills, and share in the experience of growing fresh food.
With 100 members from The Cape and surrounding townships, the farm has become a true community hub, a place where people of all ages can get involved, whether it’s planting, harvesting or simply dropping by to pick up fresh produce.
The farm consists of 375 Foodcubes, making it the largest Foodcube installation in the world. These self-watering wicking beds are designed to be highly water-efficient, storing water below the soil and allowing plants to draw up what they need. The wicking beds use around 50% less water than a conventional garden bed. Some of the members have grown around 20–25 kilograms of produce per year, a substantial amount of fresh, locally grown produce.
Every Friday, the farm comes alive with activity as volunteers gather for the weekly harvest. The produce is then shared through a community produce box, available to members and locals and delivered to local charities.
For Alex, it’s already part of everyday life. “We come down a lot in summer,” he said. “We usually get potatoes, carrots and cucumbers.”
But the experience wasn’t just about learning, it was about tasting the difference.
In a fun blind taste test, Alex sampled two carrots: one from the supermarket and one freshly grown at the Community Farm.
The result?
He picked the Community Farm carrot and didn’t hesitate.
It tasted better, he said!
The Community Farm also plays an important role in reducing food miles, the distance food travels from where it’s grown to where it’s eaten.
By growing produce right here at The Cape, food goes from garden to plate in a matter of metres, not kilometres. That means less transport, less packaging (if any), and a much stronger connection to what we eat.
Just as importantly, it helps people, especially children, understand where food comes from. Perhaps the most important role the farm plays is in strengthening the community itself. When people grow food together, they naturally connect. They share knowledge, swap produce, and build relationships that go beyond the garden beds.
As Alex put it simply:
“It helps the community.”
And that’s exactly what The Cape Community Farm is all about: creating a place where people can come together, grow their own food, and be part of something bigger.
For more information about The Cape Community Farm visit capecommunityfarm.org.au.
Keep an eye out for more in the series from the kids at The Cape.
