Locals Emma Huber and Suzy Pope had set aside a morning for brainstorming and goal setting when the concept sprang to life.
“That was about three years ago, and then we just jumped in and got it going!”
Held on the first Saturday of every month at 2pm in the car park of Millers’ Local Bake House, the Bulli Crop Swap is a place for locals to swap excess produce, plants, seeds, seedlings, baked goods and preserves.
For Emma, owner and founder of Millers’ Local Bakehouse, the crop swap has become a meaningful way to share her passion for gardening, food, and cooking.
“It’s helped foster a sense of community while encouraging us to reduce waste and connect more deeply with each other,” she said.
And from the very first event, Emma and her co-founders were amazed by the community’s enthusiastic response.
“I was genuinely moved by how quickly people got involved and how generous they were – not just with their produce, but with their time and knowledge too,” Emma shared.
“It’s opened my eyes to the diverse ways people eat, the cultural richness behind each ingredient, and the different methods of growing food.”
“Each person has their own quirky interests, skills and passions that they bring to the group,” said one regular attendee. “I hope everyone feels appreciated and welcome—it’s such a relaxed and inclusive space,” said Suzy.
And the best result result? A deeper appreciation among everyone involved for the power of giving back and connecting with their local community.
“It’s become more than just swapping food—it’s built a community of its own and a shared bank of knowledge,” said Emma.
“I’ve definitely met people I wouldn’t usually cross paths with,” another participant shared. “Personally, I love meeting people who are different to me. I’ve learned so much and continue to learn about plants and food every month,” said Suzy.
There’s also been plenty of surprise and delight along the way.
“Someone once turned up with literally 50kg of grapefruit!”
“Another brought some out-of-date boxes of tea one time, which is kind of funny—but also great,” laughed Suzy. “I took a box and I’m still using it!”
And then there’s the joy of trying something new, encouraged by the generosity and wisdom of others.
“I love dahlia bulbs. I didn’t have much confidence and no experience with bulbs when the opportunity to grow them came up—along with the gift of encouragement and knowledge from those at the crop swap—so I gave it a go! Now, mine bloom every year and bring me so much joy,” said Emma.
“For me, it’s a combination of social connection, learning what grows well in our microclimate, and having somewhere to share my excess without it going to waste,” said Suzy. “Coming home with a basket of tasty treats from other people’s gardens is also pretty cool.”
The future of the crop swap looks promising, with plans underway to introduce more teachable moments and potentially create a hub where locals can drop off surplus produce to be cooked and preserved, laying the groundwork for a community food bank.
For more information about Bulli Crop Swap follow:
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