Coffs Harbour Community Comes Together Over Okra

A vibrant community feast and photography exhibition in Coffs Harbour has shone a light on the incredible people behind the local project, Unity Farm and the cultural green vegetable bringing them together. 

A Whole Lot of Okra was held on 17 March at the National Cartoon Gallery to mark the start of Harmony Week. The event brought together locals, community leaders, the Mayor, a respected Gumbaynggirr Elder, and food lovers to share a delicious meal built around one star ingredient: okra, grown and prepared by the refugee farmers who operate North Coast Settlement Service’s (NCSS) Unity Farm. 

About our North Coast Settlement Service (NCSS) 

NCSS supports refugees and humanitarian entrants on the Mid and North Coast of NSW as they build new lives in Australia. From helping people navigate everyday essentials to fostering genuine community connection, NCSS walks alongside newcomers as they find their feet in the region. 

The farm with a story 

Unity Farm began in 2024 when a local crop farmer generously leased a plot of organic land to the Society NSW at no cost. Since then, it has grown into something truly special. It has given participants the opportunity to grow traditional foods, share cultural knowledge, sell produce, and reconnect with their roots. 

Okra is more than just a vegetable to these farmers. It carries deep cultural meaning across their diverse backgrounds, including Anuak (Ethiopia), Zomi Chin (Myanmar), and Yazidi (Iraq) communities. 

Real change, one harvest at a time

The impact of Unity Farm goes well beyond the fields. Participants have developed stronger English language skills, greater confidence, and a growing sense of belonging in their new home. For some, the program has also created a pathway to real economic independence. Several farmers now negotiate their own sales and sell fresh produce directly to the local IGA, turning cultural knowledge and hard work into food security and income. 

The feast was a joyful reflection of all of this as guests shared a vibrant meal, heard from community leaders, and celebrated the cultural richness that refugees bring to the Coffs Harbour region. 

See the exhibition 

A Whole Lot of Okra: The Showcase is a stunning photography exhibition capturing the farmers at work. It's now on display at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library until early June and well worth a visit!