GROW: Jarrah and Bonnie McBain on Beaumont Street, Islington.
THE 20 scarecrows stationed at the Islington end of Beaumont Street are not meant to scare you.
Instead, they aim to showcase Islington as a hub for sustainable living.
Islington Village Community Group member Bonnie McBain said she hoped they would become a talking point for people passing through the suburb.
Also in the village are an organic grocer, a produce co-op, a farmers' market, an organic cafe, community gardens and a permaculture group.
Ms McBain said about 80 per cent of supermarket retail was controlled by two companies, and consumers were vulnerable to price increases.
So Islington residents are taking matters into their own hands by growing and selling their own produce.
"We are trying to build a community that is not reliant on oil," she said.
"Supermarket produce is transported long distances, and as oil becomes less available and the price increases, so will the price of food.
"By growing our own food we can feel safer about price increases."
Materials used for the scarecrows were donated by Islington op shops, and created by Islington Public School students and community volunteers.
Newcastle council's Place Making program provided extra funds.
The scarecrows are on Beaumont Street and Maitland Road, Islington, during business hours until Sunday, February 3.
Go to grassrootsiso.wordpress.com/food for more information about the program.