Ever noticed how honesty stalls are common in country areas? But not so in cities.
Why, I found myself asking, do we seem to trust each other less when we live in closer quarters?
And so, in 2020, I created a rickety little honestly stall from an old wooden bookshelf pulled from a neighbour’s landfill pile.
I launched The Local Yum as a quiet rebellion against the narrative that cities are increasingly unfriendly, disconnected and even unsafe.
The Local Yum has since captured imaginations and inspired urban folk across Australia to start their own city stalls. I’ve scored features in national publications, had visits from famous chefs and received messages from all over the world.
The stall has become a portal of connection to my local community, too. I know neighbours from five streets over by name now. People drop gifts of excess produce to share or pause to chat when they see me leaving my front gate. Others leave notes to say: “Thank you for making our suburb feel welcoming.”
The architecture of our cities is becoming ever more private, more locked away behind roller doors and fences designed to reduce human interaction.
Little community projects like these have a knack for cracking through the isolation and anonymity, allowing us to connect as humans again, even just for a moment.
And that, in turn, fosters more kindness, connection and generosity in our cityscapes.
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Buy honesty stall goodies online
Yum stuff can be purchased online for pick-up from the honesty stall or postage to your place.
Healing calendula salve
Price range: $15.00 through $25.00 +GST
