Magic Beans was started six years ago by Anneliese Hough as a Hawke’s Bay Facebook group, and has grown to more than 3100 users, affectionately called Beanies. Sarah Grant joined Anneliese as group administrator in the early days.
A PledgeMe campaign was launched last Friday to raise funds to build the Magic Beans platform, helping communities to connect and support each other to grow some of their own food and learn the skills to make gardens flourish. The opportunity to help reduce household waste, and environmental harm from mass food production and packaging, is also hoped to motivate people to contribute to the campaign and eventually join the platform.
"We want Magic Beans to be a tool to help build more resilient communities. Growing your own food at home means you can access fresh produce if there are ever supply chain issues. Plus, sharing knowledge and support by connecting on the platform means we can be together, even if we are apart due to uncertain times," Anneliese told voxy.co.nz.
The Magic Beans platform will allow people to easily swap produce within their local communities. It will also serve as an education and inspiration hub where people can learn everything from soil health and building a garden to making preserves and knowing what time of the year to plant vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.
