Empowering locals with Parramatta’s sustainable living series

Published on 02 September 2025

vegetable garden for sustainable living

Parramatta’s beloved Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) workshop series is back for another season from 20 September until 18 October – an immersive journey into sustainable living that’s bigger, greener and more hands-on than ever.

Held twice a year, GOOF is a practical five-week science-based program which has been transforming backyards, balconies and community gardens for over a decade. The program continues to inspire locals to reduce their ecological footprint and grow food sustainably in alignment with nature’s cycles, permaculture principles and global sustainability goals.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the much-loved workshops are a glowing example of local action, especially in a world focused on sustainability.

“For over ten years, this program has been a cornerstone of community sustainability efforts in Parramatta and a must for anyone looking to reconnect with nature and transform their urban spaces,” Cr Zaiter said.

“The series is designed for everyone and is led by experienced permaculture educators who practice what they teach."

“In a world facing environmental challenges, Grow Our Own Food (GOOF) is more than just a gardening workshop. It empowers individuals with the skills to grow their own food and fosters resilience, sustainability and community connection.”

From regenerating healthy soils to harvesting homegrown produce year-round, each workshop builds on the last:

  • Week 1: Intro to Permaculture. Use the natural cycles of Earth to work with nature rather than fight it.
  • Week 2: Soils. Make and re-generate healthy, fertile soil and compost for your garden beds.
  • Week 3: Plants. Grow, protect and harvest the right plants for your site and taste.
  • Week 4: Seeds. Collect, clean, store and sow seeds for next year and ever after.
  • Week 5: Year-round food. Apply topics 1-4 to your site for all four seasons.

Returning local participant Ms Maryellen Darrie who took part in two GOOF workshops in June and November last year said she’s so glad that Council offers such a great initiative that has transformed the way she gardens.

“It’s such a fantastic, accessible program and I tell people about it all the time,” Ms Darrie said.

“If we all did this, we could make a really big difference for our own communities and everybody’s wellbeing with small changes in consumption and more awareness.

“The workshops give you an opportunity to make things more economic and if we could all do this, we could all consume less plastic.”

The program is presented by Permaculture Sydney West and generously supported by the City of Parramatta, reflecting Council’s commitment to building a resilient, eco-conscious City.

Visit GOOF for more information.

Tagged as:
Back to top