It's not a new idea by any means. Neighbors have traded things from their gardens forever. More formal produce swaps have started up in California and are taking hold in Chicago, Portland and other cities around the country.
The movement is motivated by a mixture of trends: an attraction to eating locally grown produce, the request not to waste food and an interest for sharing food during these difficult economic times.
My neighbor could certainly be doing this since her garden (she calls it ours and I tell the truth – it’s HER garden) has produced enough to feed the entire neighborhood this summer.
Bon Appetit!