If you want something very Maitland to have with your scones or morning toast, East Maitland CWA has you covered.
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The ladies have taken about 30kg of fruit from a mulberry tree that has stood in the middle of the Maitland Gaol grounds for the past 50 years and created their own brand of jam.
About 134 jars of Gaol Jam have been produced as part of the first batch and the CWA ladies have sold about 30 so far.
Secretary Sharyn Buck said CWA members had been happy with the jam’s early success and the group hoped to make another batch – possibly with another type of fruit.
She said the collaboration with Maitland Gaol meant fruit that would otherwise be wasted was put to good use.
“One of our ethos is that we want to see zero wastage of food and be sustainable in our own area,” Ms Buck said.
“We sold 30 [jars] at our market day on Saturday and the gaol is selling the rest of the batch from here [Maitland Gaol].
“Because it’s from the gaol, from a historical point of view, people are very interested. There are lots of positives we’ve gained out of it.
“It was wonderful to create jam with historic significance.”
Maitland Gaol co-ordinator Gordon Sauber said that when the gaol was operational the mulberry tree was off limits to prisoners except to those who worked in the kitchen.
“Since the gaol closed the berries have gone to waste,” he said.
“Gaol Jam makes use of this significant tree’s produce again, and we hope it is also a fun and very tasty way to engage the community in part of the facility’s history.”
All proceeds from the jam go to East Maitland CWA and programs at Maitland Gaol.