The following is a short interview with Jayne one of the organisers from the awesome Permablitz #08 held at Cafe Checocho's on the 10/10/10 and excerpts of which originally appeared in the Northey Street City Farm Newsletter, special thanks to Justine from the farm!

what is the garden going to be used for  (ie. community, the cafe's food?)
The ideal outcome for the Checocho's garden is to support the kitchen so we can grow and serve fresh produce straight from the backyard (sustainable & fresh), we also endeavour to inspire and support community through sustainability practices, art, music, healing and growing culture.

how many people showed up on the day and what was done?
We had a fabulous turn out, approximately 50 keen energetic folks. We were able to implement stage 1 of Checocho's garden plan, this involved paving, building a berm, paths and planting up the beds. We were also able to squeeze in a comfrey and bamboo workshop as well as some soil testing.

why did it happen at Cafe Checocho?
Checocho's is a creative cafe, loungeroom and second home to many living in the West End. It is a family and place to learn and grow...in time we are working towards the cafe having a sustainability and healing component... so where better to start than with the growing of our own food... why did it happen? i guess it was an organic process with enough energy and perma-friendly staff and family with the motivation and passion to grow food locally.

what did it mean to the people involved? what does it mean for the place? what do customers reckon?
The day was absolutely inspiring filled with enormous team spirit, dedication and heart. I think the meaningfulness comes from what communities can achieve when we all put our minds and sweat together. It was a day where we learnt and shared in permaculture, built friendships, shared skills and most of all had FUN!!!  :)
For Checocho's it is a step forward in what we see as the right direction, we are altruistic folk and for us it means that we can serve fresh, vital and love-filled food with low carbon mileage. To us this is of utmost importance. As for our customers i have seen joyful smiles when they see us harvesting greens from the backyard!!

Our hugest thank-you's and regards to permablitz as a way of bringing community together to learn grow and share in creating a positive, fun and friendly future.

If you want to get involved in the garden at Checocho's why not drop into the cafe or join the Friend's of Cafe Checocho's Community Garden group.