Join a vibrant food culture, growing and eating local
Covering all matters food in North East Melbourne
Whether you are a local food producer, want to eat local food, grow veggies in your garden or just want to meet like-minded folks, Local Food Connect is for you. Join now.
Eltham Farmers’ Market, a Local Food Connect initiative, is held every Sunday.
Ben’s Bees, from Blackburn North, sell raw honey – honey that has not been treated in any way. It is taken from the hive in frames designed to hold honey, spun with centrifugal force, drained through a fine sieve to remove any wax particles, and bottled. They also sell candles, beeswax, soap, hives, bees and clothing. Their services include bee & swarm removal, beehive pollination and European wasp removal. You can buy their honey and other products at their online shop. Welcome, Ben!
There are now 7 local producers in the honey section of our Local Food Directory.
Terry Makin and Jean Mehrtens want some help with pruning their fruit trees (around 10 trees) from someone who can guide and teach them at same time. They are willing to pay.
Email us and we’ll pass your emails onto Terry.
Edible Forest Gardens nursery is moving from Wonga Park to Monbulk. Prior to that, they are having a moving sale. 25% off all stock, up to 50% on selected items, and potted heritage apples $10 to clear. The sale will be on Friday 20th, Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th July. 5 Lower Homestead Road, Wonga Park.
Joel Adderley wants to purchase large volumes of coriander (hundreds of kilograms). Has anyone got any suggestions for where he could source it from? Email us and we’ll pass your emails onto Joel.
Last Saturday, Welcome to Eltham organised a ‘Twisted Trivia Night’, which was an “intercultural Australian-Arabic games night”. Eltham Farmers’ Market donated the food. The contributing stallholders clearly demonstrate Australia’s multicultural society as they included Brits, Dutch, Israelis, Italians, New Zealanders, Taiwanese, Turks and Ukrainians.
This is an exhibition organised by the Heidelberg Historical Society. Covers the period from 1840 through to today. Every Sunday from 2-5pm, from now until November. Old Heidelberg Court House, Jika Street. $5 entry. “In the 1840s and 1850s there were grand plans for the Heidelberg District to become the fruit and vegetable hub for Melbourne … this came to a sudden halt with a string of four disastrous floods in 1863 and 1864 … planting in Heidelberg [then] took a different direction including nursery planting, domestic planting, Chinese market gardens, commemorative and civic planting, rehabilitation planting and, more recently, community planting.”
St Johns Riverside Community Garden, in Heidelberg, have just had shoals of fish, eels and platypuses erected on their fence line, courtesy of Felicity Gordon. They have also been given a sizeable grant from Heidelberg and East Ivanhoe Bendigo Bank to build a ‘compost teapot’.
Sim Hanscamp, from veggie growers Spoke & Spade in Heidelberg West, has been interviewed in ReNew magazine. Thanks for the heads up, Fay Loveland!
The Inconvenience Store featured in the Guardian.
Rivers of Yarrambat are looking to hire a chef. Full time. Email your resume to Karen.
Newsletter reader Angelo Eliades has written an article about rooting edible plant cuttings in water. As Angelo says “There aren’t many plants that will root in water, many plants will simply rot, so it’s important to use the right plants for this propagation method.” He then goes on to say that the following can be rooted in water: basil, currants, lemon verbena, mints, pineapple sage, rosemary, sweet potato and tomato.
The Wurundjeri seasons of Victoria.
Waiter, will my pizza be long? No sir, it will be round!
What: Join Ben Moore from Ben’s Bees to make your own eco-friendly alternative to plastic wraps.
When: Saturday, 21st July, 3-4pm.
Where: Central Ringwood Community Centre.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: by phone (9870 2602).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: They will share their favourite vegan and vegetarian meals in the Thermomix and give some tips on how to adjust some popular Thermomix meals to be meatless.
When: Wednesday, 25th July, 7.30-9.30pm.
Where: Kilsyth.
Cost: $21.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Facilitated by Very Edible Gardens. Learn how to make water-efficient wicking beds using re-claimed and recycled materials. There will be a 2 hour workshop, followed by a 2 hour working bee.
When: Sunday, 29th July, 9.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Alphington Farmers Market.
Cost: $35 ($30 concession).
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: The Taste of Thomo Festival will showcase foods made in Thomastown. Meet local producers such as Jalna Yoghurt and Bertocchi Smallgoods, and sample their products. Also, say hello to Links Community Garden Lalor and other local gardeners, who will be sharing some of their winter produce on the day. Plus a monthly market, coffee cart and free children’s activities.
When: Saturday, 4th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: See David Holmgren, permaculture co-originator, deliver his latest presentation RetroSuburbia: Aussie Street. His presentation will be followed by Q&A, book signings and a meet & greet. Free but bookings essential. This presentation will be part of The Taste of Thomo Festival.
When: Saturday, 4th August, 11am-midday.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Richard Lee, from KABUU, will teach you everything you need to know about how to successfully grow you own healthy micro greens at home. Whether you are new to growing food, live in an apartment or unit with limited space, are time poor, have physical constraints, or just want to try something new, micro greens are an easy and fun way to grow some food at home. The workshop will cover: the difference between sprouting and growing microgreens; materials required — sources, types and costs; seeds — sources, storage, varieties and seasonal choices; conditions — temperature, light, air circulation and humidity; how to sow — density and size; and care and maintenance — germination, duration, watering and disease prevention.
When: Saturday, 4th August, 12.30-2pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Incredible Edible Eltham invites you to what they believe will be the Australian premiere screening of the brand new ‘Edible Paradise’ documentary! Captured over five years as part of the Localising Food Project, Edible Paradise travels to the four corners of Aotearoa – New Zealand, to meet local food campaigners instrumental in creating community orchard and food forest projects in their patch. A feel-good documentary, why not come along and check it out. Then, afterwards, chat over a cuppa and nibbles. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm screening. Film ends 8pm, with subsequent mingling until (say) 9pm.
When: Thursday, 9th August, 6.30-9pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Enjoy 3 tasting size courses cooked by chef Bek McMillan, from Gourmet Living, who will demonstrate step by step. All recipes are included. Menu: roast Moroccan veg tart; chicken ‘salty sweet’ satay; and salted caramel apple pie.
When: Thursday, 9th August and again on Friday, 10th August, both 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite (Thursday, Friday).
Further information: LFC calendar entry (Thursday, Friday).
What: Enjoy 3 tasting size courses cooked by chef Bek McMillan, from Gourmet Living, who will demonstrate step by step. All recipes are included. Menu: chilli beef salad; rigatoni pesto pasta; and blueberry jam tart.
When: Thursday, 16th August and again on Friday, 17th August, both 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite (Thursday, Friday).
Further information: LFC calendar entry (Thursday, Friday).
What: They will share their favourite recipes and tips for making jams and chutneys in the Thermomix, including how to do jams with little sugar. They will also give you tips and recipes for making different breads, including gluten and grain-free bread.
When: Wednesday, 22nd August, 7.30-9.30pm.
Where: Kilsyth.
Cost: $21.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Duncan Cocking, founder of Leaf, Root & Fruit, will tell you how to successfully grow lemons, limes and oranges. He will cover optimal growing conditions, planting, fertilising and pruning for optimum yield as well as pest & disease management. Duncan also has some interesting insights on citrus gall wasp and some novel ideas on how to reduce their impact on your citrus trees.
When: Thursday, 13th September, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Nunawading.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: What you will learn: a range of common and heirloom tomatoes for a variety of growing situations; and how to best prepare your soil, including the option of vegan soil additives. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design and author of the upcoming book Tomato – Know, Sow, Grow, Feast. Homegrown tomatoes are a world away from bland supermarket fruits, no matter whether they are common or heirloom. And growing heirloom tomatoes opens up a rainbow of possibilities. Growing your own from seed to harvest in Melbourne will earn you serious gardening cred. Learn some tricks to help you growing your own from seed to harvest.
When: Thursday, 13th September, 6.30-9pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $55.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Richard Lee, from KABUU, will teach you how to build a tunnel, with designs including bench covers for propagation, covering raised wicking beds, small propagation houses, shade houses, and farm-sized 50m rows. As a part of the workshop, you will learn about: planning a tunnel that meets your needs; the tools and materials required; where to source supplies; measuring, cutting and forming / bending materials; how to construct a tunnel safely; and optional extras.
When: Saturday, 15th September, 10am-2.30pm.
Where: Research.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: Interested in beginning with bees in your backyard but not sure how and where to begin? Join Bec, from Bec’s Beehive, in this introductory session covering hive set up requirements, legalities and seasonal expectations.
When: Tuesday, 18th September, 7-8.30pm.
Where: Hawthorn Community House.
Cost: $20.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
What: David Holmgren will talk about the permaculture lifestyle as a simple, realistic and achievable way of life. He will show you how to apply the principles and ethics of permaculture to create urban, household and neighbourhood systems that provide food, energy, shelter and other everyday needs. David is author of a new book RetroSuburbia: the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future (2018) as well as Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability.
When: Tuesday, 18th September, 7-9pm.
Where: Camberwell.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.