Local food-related events
Annual General Meeting of Local Food Connect
All LFC members and LFC News readers are invited to our annual meeting on Saturday August 23, 2-4pm at Nillumbik Health in Main Street Eltham when we will celebrate five years of LFC. We will hold a brief AGM, then Richard Rowe will discuss some of the highlights of the last five years. Liz Zanella from the Darebin Fruit Squad will inspire us with that food project and then we shall gather for an afternoon tea of local foods or locally made food. RSVPs aren’t necessary but do help with organising the event. Hope to see you there!
Setting up a wicking bed
A workshop being held on 24 August may interest you. Places are limited and can be booked through BellfieldCommunityGarden@gmail.com or by contacting Paul/Stacey 9440 9247.
…and if you can’t make that one, there is another at St John’s Community garden on Sunday, September 21, 1:30-4:30pm at 1 Burgundy St, Heidelberg. There is a 30 place limit, so RSVP to sjcommgarden@gmail.com or Katrina 0422735213.
Foraging workshop Heidelberg Heights
August 23, at 1-4pm at Murundaka, Heidelberg Heights. Horticulturalist Michelle Yang will help participants learn about edible weeds, bush foods and ornamental edibles.
Produce with a Purpose
Produce with a Purpose is a vision to build a food garden to supply fresh food to those who need it, supported by a community committed to social justice. Produce with a Purpose held a very successful evening in June at Amberley Way in Lower Plenty. There is a real sense of purpose gathering around the Produce with a Purpose project, strengthened by members of both the ERC and local food and sustainabilty communities coming together.
The first meeting of the Produce with a Purpose working group will be at 3:00-4:30 pm on Friday August 22nd. The agenda will include; Welcome, reflection and refreshment; Site assessment and garden design; Forward planning and visioning; Funding; and Working bees and events planning. They are looking for a diverse range of skills and enthusiasm so if you would like to take part contact producepurpose@gmail.com or tracey.martin1@optusnet.com.au.
The 3081 Cafe
This is a social enterprise project in Heidelberg Heights to train people in food handling, customer service and job applications. To raise funds to restore the building that will be used for the cafe, a market is being held this Saturday, August 16, 9am-2pm, Rosanna Baptist Church hall, Heidelberg Height. The market will showcase local art, craft and produce.
Preserving bottles
Jenny has 12 number 36 fowlers preserving jars available for anyone who wants them. Contact her on jennymillar@hotmail.com.
Planting from seed
The North East Ranges permaculture group is getting together at Panton Hill to swap and plant seeds this Sunday. If interested, please contact the Nerp coordinator at nerpermaculture@gmail.com.
…and if you can’t make that event, try Bulleen Art & Garden’s food swap this Saturday, 10-11am, where Angelo Eliades from Deep Green Permaculture will talk about the basics of seed sowing, transplanting and seed saving, as well as how to get your warm season veggies such as tomatoes started early indoors so they are ready for planting in spring.
To assist a local fledgling seedling company (KABUU), it would be really helpful if you could answer these survey questions.
Building edible gardens
Diamond Valley Library, Tuesday August 18, 11:30-12:30 with Paul Gale-Baker. Paul is a passionate advocate for home-grown produce and heads Urban Shepherd, which has a commitment to supporting and encouraging sustainability in all areas of life, with a particular focus on food production. He designs, builds and maintains edible gardens for urban areas. He works with gardens of all sizes, offering everything from complete permaculture designs through to small-space and container gardens. Join Paul as he shares his wealth of experience in what to do – and not do – in the garden. Book here 9434 3809 or www.yprl.vic.gov.au.
Information desk volunteers wanted
Those of you who have had the good fortune to go to the Eltham Farmers’ Market will know what a busy place it is on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. LFC have an information stall there and need volunteers to help. If you are interested in local food (and why else would you subscribe to this newsletter?) and could volunteer at least 2 hours of your time, please contact Fay.
We also need volunteers for the LFC stall at the Practically Green Festival at Edendale on Sunday October 19. Please come and share some of the day with us, sharing your passion for good and fair food.
The Banyule Gardeners’ Almanac
This is a wonderful gardening almanac put together by Monty Moves from information that they collected and collated over a year from the Monty Veggie Swap. The first section gives advice on topics related to growing a successful vegetable garden and the second section gives a month by month listing of what to plant, the key tasks for that month and a helpful tip. The tips deal with Banyule’s clay soil, soil pH, pests and beneficial insects, growing from seed, seed saving, preparing for extreme weather, fertilising, composting, no dig beds, and companion planting. Each month is accompanied by a ‘My Notes’ page so you can record what you plant, harvest and do in the garden that month which will provide a great guide for planning for future years. Felicity’s accompanying illustrations to the booklet make it a special publication available from food swaps at the bargain price of $5.
Planter box maintenance
There will be two working bees next week. Feel free to come to either or both of these sessions but let Guy know to which you plan to go.
Diamond Creek: 10am, Wednesday 20 August. Meet at Deganis.
Eltham: 10am, Friday 22 August. Meet at The Common Cafe.
Other food activities/information
Fair Food Week October 12-19, 2014
Watch the LFC News or website calendar for events during Fair Food week.
Darebin Fruit Squad
