LFC News May 23 2018

May 232018
 

Local food producers in the news

No Grainer, who are from Reservoir and who make grain-free bread and scrolls, featured on episode 4 of the new TV series, The Mentor, on Channel 7. The website blurb says: “two sisters [Jo & Sally] venture into a new bakery business that specialises in gluten-free loaves. The products are selling, but they can’t keep up with the demand. Mark [Bouris] only has five days to save the business.” But, as you will discover if you watch the video, the story, as told, is actually rather different. No Grainer’s Facebook post on the subject got around 700 likes and 120 comments!

Blue Pear Pantry, who make savoury rolls and are from North Warrandyte, and PoppySmack, who make Asian sauces and are from Warrandyte, both featured in the May edition of The Warrandyte Diary. So, in another article, did Kellybrook Winery, who make wine, cider & beer and are from Wonga Park.

  

News about local food producers

You can now buy Australian Harvest / Bio Grape’s products at Organic Fix, Eltham. Australian Harvest / Bio Grape are from Coldstream and make Certified Organic horseradish vinegar, mustards, jams, chutneys, sauces and BIO-GRAPE fruit pastes. Organic Fix now sells products from 11 different local food producers, which puts them 4th equal in the league table of local shops.

You can now buy Apted’s Orchards’ apples at Local Fine Foods, Diamond Creek. Apteds are from Arthurs Creek.

Want to make some Thai curry?

At last Sunday’s Eltham Farmers’ Market, Bridget Frances, from Hawthorn-based Curry Favour, demonstrated how to make Thai curry, both meat-based and vegetarian. Her two recipes are now available on our website: Thai vegan curry and Thai coconut braised lamb curry.

There are now 4 Thai curry recipes on our website, the other two being by Kelly Meredith, from Panton Hill-based Under The Pickle Tree: chicken ball green curry and red curry fish cakes.

Yarra Council’s future urban agriculture strategy

Yarra Council is about to review its Urban Agriculture Strategy. In 2014, their first urban agriculture strategy aimed to support the community to grow and share food locally, building on previous work to help residents set up edible gardens in shared spaces, like laneways and nature strips. They now need to decide what they can do better to support people grow food where they live. Have your say online by Friday, 15th June or at one of their information sessions (Friday, 1st June, midday-2pm, Peel Street Park, Collingwood; Saturday, 2nd June, 10am-midday, Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy; and Saturday, 2nd June, 8.30-10.30am, Gleadell Street Market, Richmond). Read more.

Art exhibition: Australian Indigenous bush medicine

The art of healing: Australian Indigenous bush medicine looks at traditional Indigenous healing practice through art and objects, giving examples of healing practice and bush medicine from many distinct and varied Indigenous communities across Australia. At the Medical History Museum, University of Melbourne from now until end September. Brownless Biomedical Library (Building 182), Kernot Road, Parkville, 3052. The library is behind the Medical Building on Grattan Street. Enter Gate 10, Grattan Street and follow Kernot Road.

Every newsletter needs a good picture

Monique Decortis has submitted two pictures of her chickens. She writes: “7 chicks brooded out so far and mam is sitting on another 5 eggs, while the chicks in them contemplate whether they will come out of their shells.” Thanks, Monique!

  

On the subject of chickens, click here to watch a new video on how chickens get oxygen whilst they are inside the eggs.

Finally, the grapes on my grapevine (singular) were destroyed this year by mildew. Whilst googling for potential solutions for future years, I recently came across an extraordinary picture of a ‘fumigation tractor’ (see picture right). In turn, this led to a rather interesting article in the Guardian about ‘natural wine’.

Stationeers

Jenny Shaw has sent in an article about about a new Stationeers garden at Newport railway station (see picture right). The Stationeers program, which is managed by Keep Victoria Beautiful, aims to improve improve railway station landscapes by removing litter, installing murals, and establishing gardens. Thanks, Jenny!

There are currently Stationeers groups for the following railway stations in North East Melbourne: Brunswick, Dennis, Fairfield, Merri, Mooroolbark, Northcote, Surrey Hills, Westgarth and West Richmond.

Incredible Edible Eltham has recently applied to become the Stationeers group for Eltham.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Amazingly, the most popular link last week was the same as the previous week (and the week before). But it’s now time to move on so I’m neither going to repeat the link again, nor name it!

I received a variety of comments about my words from last week about the link, ranging from “completely idiotic” to “seriously funny”. It makes the newsletter sound like Monty Python!

Joke of the week

How much does a pirate pay for corn? A buccaneer!

In passing, why is a dollar often called a ‘buck’? Apparently, it dates back to America’s colonial frontier days when deer skins were a primary measure for bartering goods. And, of course, male deer (and male kangaroos) are called bucks.

Read all the jokes.

New events

Chinese vegetarian cooking

What: Helen Chen and her friends will be demonstrating home-cooked Chinese food (which is very different from Chinese restaurant food), namely spring rolls.
When: Sunday, 27th May, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Macleod Organic Community Garden.
Cost: gold coin.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Eat your greens! (a Moreland Local Food Network event)

What: Featuring locals blues musician Ian Collard, guest MC Paul West (host of River Cottage Australia) and a vegetarian dinner by Sabores De Timor. Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar. There will be some facilitated conversations about the different local food projects and initiatives happening around Moreland, who else can help or should be involved in these, and how you would like to see local food supported on an ongoing basis. They will also launch the Moreland Food System Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
When: Wednesday, 30th May, 6-9pm.
Where: Fawkner Bowling Club.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Kids cooking workshop with Dani Venn

What: Kids will learn how to make meatballs and tzatziki with some help from Dani Venn, Masterchef. For children between 3 and 8.
When: Saturday, 2nd June, at 11am, midday and 1pm.
Where: Greensborough Plaza.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9435 4000).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Good Earth Group presents eco-friendly beekeeping

What: Jay, from Organicsway, Jay will talk about basic knowledge of honey bees, beekeeping, bee products and their benefits. Products from this eco-friendly business in Silvan will be available for tasting and purchase on the day.
When: Sunday, 16th June, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Lilydale Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Miris Products winter warmers demonstration

What: Watch Sonali from Miris Products create this winter warmer menu: pumpkin chilli chutney dip; mulligatawny soup; chicken and chickpea curry; refreshing carrot and pineapple sambol; and spiced fruit compote with coconut ice cream.
When: Thursday, 21st June, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Malt beer masterclass

What: What you will learn: see behind the scenes of a fully functioning craft brewery; taste your way through the malt beers from The 3 Ravens range under the guidance of one of their brewery team; and learn 3 Ravens’ approach to malt-driven beers. Includes a sharing sit down style feast from A1 Bakery Fairfield.
When: Saturday, 23rd June, 12.30-2.30pm.
Where: 3 Ravens Brewery, Thornbury.
Cost: $65.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

3 Ravens Brewery tour and tasting

What: What you will learn: see behind the scenes of a fully functioning craft brewery; taste your way through the The 3 Ravens range under the guidance of one of their brewery team; and learn what goes into beer, how it’s produced and how it gets in your glass.
When: Saturday, 23rd June, 4-5pm.
Where: 3 Ravens Brewery, Thornbury.
Cost: $35.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Pickling your winter vegetables

What: Wondering what to do with your winter vegetables? Go along to this workshop with Marie from Rie’s Kitchen and learn how to pickle your produce.
When: Tuesday, 17th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Beeswax food cover workshop

What: Learn how to make your own beeswax food covers. All materials supplied, each participant will take home their own cover. Facilitated by Gail Burrell-Davis and Jo Massey.
When: Saturday, 21st July, 10am-midday.
Where: Murundaka, Heidelberg Heights.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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