Monthly crop swaps across the Illawarra are connecting locals with more than fruit and veg. Ester Neyers, who runs the Unanderra Crop Swap, says the events are a great way for people to connect with their local community.

“Our focus is very much on food plants. It’s not about ornamental plants. It's squarely focused on enabling people to be self-sufficient," says Ester, who holds the crop swap on the first Saturday of the month, from 10am at Unanderra Community Centre.

“Gardeners often have extras of things – they just can't help themselves. It’s an opportunity to turn surplus into variety by swapping with other homesteaders and like-minded people.

“It happens very organically and no money changes hands, it’s a really nice vibe.”

While Unanderra crop swap involves a small group of gardeners who live in the area, it's part of a growing global movement.

Crop swaps are also hosted locally at Kiama, Port Kembla, Thirroul and Bulli.

“With these kinds of events, small is beautiful. Anything more than, say, 18 people is probably too many. So we regularly get about 10,” Ester says.

“It’s good that it's small and growing slowly because I think it’s a better event when people can take their time to stop and chat. It’s a really great group of people, everyone’s just really giving.”

Crop swappers share gardening tips and recipes, contributing to a shared sense of community.

“There’s an endless opportunity for learning,” Ester says.

Crop swaps fit into a larger community push toward environmental practices as a response to the rising cost of living. During last year’s Illawarra Edible Garden Trail, organised by Food Fairness and Healthy Cities Australia, local crop swaps opened to trail-goers.

“Gardening is a great teacher of delayed gratification, especially for kids seeing where food comes from. If people grew more of their own food, I think there would be a lot less food waste because they’re more invested in it and more likely to find ways of using it,” Ester says.

Born in Hungary, Ester experienced "early exposure to farm living as a child, and I think that’s probably fundamental in my love of the outdoors and growing things”.

As an adult, she lived in Sydney for 15 years, leading plant swaps in her role as a Sustainable Streets Officer at Marrickville Council, before moving to Unanderra.

“I worked with the community on implementing verge gardens," she says. "I did that for about eight years.”

Ester has horticultural qualifications in bush regeneration and landscape design.

“I’ve worked extensively in natural areas with Landcare and Bushcare, and then I had a few years of involvement with Dapto Community Farm, where I leased a plot with a friend – and that’s where I got interested in growing food.”

Ester grows crops at home and says that winter gives gardeners the chance to upgrade their patch.

“It’s all a little bit dishevelled now, but I welcome the cooler weather because it’s time to renovate the garden, rejig things that aren’t working. The garden’s never really finished.”

Ester has recently started keeping bees.

“It brings me a lot of joy. It’s just funny to think that the things that bring me the most joy are the things that make me no money.”

Recently Ester had to miss a Saturday swap – though she sent her homegrown pumpkins and herbs along – and was glad to hear the event ran well without her.

“I’m so pleased that people have stepped into that leadership role, that really warms my heart, that people see the crop swap as their own,” she says.

“It’s not just my crop swap, it belongs to everyone and I feel confident that it will continue for the foreseeable future.”