Case Studies

Gerringong Fruit Barn

Design Feature

Type of project
Landowner Strategy
State
New South Wales
Location
Rural
Gerringong is a regional town located 45 kilometres south of Wollongong in New South Wales. The town’s distance to the city, and the provision of only one supermarket creates challenges for residents in accessing fresh food. To address this issue, the Gerringong Fruit Barn was established in 2005 to service the local community. The Fruit Barn is a greengrocer, providing the community with access to quality, certified fruit and vegetables sourced from the Sydney Market Authority. The Gerringong Fruit Barn is the only greengrocer in the Kiama Municipality.
Bringing fresh food to the community
The Fruit Barn conveniently operates in a residential area as a home business, which supports community members to access the shop by walking or cycling. As well as providing access to healthy food, the Fruit Barn is a social place. It is comfortable, community minded and encourages people to connect with others, in person and through an active online community. 
The Gerringong Fruit Barn was established out of necessity, after a family member of a town resident was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Frustrated with the small range, poor quality and high price of produce available in the local area, the resident resolved to improve healthy food access to benefit not only themselves, but the wider community.
Outside of these hours, the dwelling must not appear to have any commercial element. This requires the use of magnetic signs and a removable flag to advertise while the shop is open, and the house to appear as any other outside of business hours, preserving the existing low density residential character required by Council. 
Twice a week, fresh, seasonal produce is sourced from Sydney markets to be sold at the Fruit Barn. The Fruit Barn encourages healthy food choices by providing a local greengrocer, supporting those unable to make the 4-hour return trip to Sydney. Healthy recipes are also shared on the shop Facebook page and can be printed in the shop if customers don’t have access to social media.
Project Team
Project team
  • McMahon family
  • Kiama Municipal Council

Project Cost
$30,000
Health value
  • Supply of fresh and healthy food
  • Healthy recipe cards
  • Business model includes fruit and vegetable packages which can be delivered, making it easier for customers to consume fresh produce
  • In a convenient location, many customers walk or cycle to get to the shop

Economic value
  • Makes healthy eating affordable by removing need to travel
  • Contributes to visitation in the area

Environmental value
  • Sale of local produce from Sydney basin reduces food miles
  • Easily adaptable built form which is in keeping with the aesthetic requirements of the surrounding area
  • Minimises car trips taken by residents to access fresh food in Sydney

Social value
  • Increases community connectedness, the shop is often a meeting place as it seeks to be a comfortable, welcoming space for residents to engage with one another
  • Empowers the community to be champions for improving community wellbeing
  • Builds community resilience by addressing and overcoming adverse conditions (inconvenient access to fresh and healthy food)

Use value

The shop provides opportunities for residents and visitors to Gerringong to make healthy food choices. It provides an alternative to the many outlets selling take away foods, and the local supermarket.

Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.

I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.



Share by: