A Taste of the Tropics and a Treasure Trove of Plants: The Food Forest Plant Swap

What a wonderful day we shared at the food forest plant swap! The sun was out, the atmosphere buzzed with friendly chatter, and we were surrounded by passionate gardeners ready to share their green-thumbed treasures. It was more than a swap — a gathering to share knowledge, stories, and the fruits of our labour.

A garden of discovery

The tables were magnificent — an incredible variety of plants. We walked, talked, and learned from every offering, from the familiar to the wonderfully rare. Attendees brought loquats, myoga ginger, luffa, cassava, and much more.

Standout treasures included carob seedlings, white sapotes, and strawberry trees grown from seed. A special find was rare bele spinach — a highly sought-after perennial green. It’s always fascinating to see what appears on the table and hear how people grow and eat it.

A taste of Te Puke

Our taste buds were in for a treat too. While we browsed and swapped, we enjoyed warm weather and tropical fruit — especially pawpaw and babaco, generously supplied by Vector Group Charitable Trust — Troppo. Grown right here in Te Puke. One guest called the pawpaw “the tastiest pawpaw ever” — “must’ve been the 12-month process but 100% worth it!!”

More than just a swap

This event is always about the people — a true fair-share swap. One attendee went home and “hid my little treats away to magically appear like a kinder surprise in our garden: pomelo, fig, tree dahlia, salvia.” Those small moments make it special. A shout-out to Coralie, who celebrated her birthday with us!

Our deepest appreciation goes to Selena, whose enthusiasm and hard work are the heart of these events. Ngā mihi nui kia koe — thank you for everything you do.

Keep an eye on our pages — the next event is planned for three weekends from now. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

Explore more: Crop Swap Te Puke · Troppo · Kai resilience · Food forest tours · Community programmes