LFC News September 25 2014

Sep 262014
 

masterLocal food-related events

Community gardening

Have you visited, planted into or harvested from any of the local community planter boxes or gardens recently? Check our community gardening section for locations. Maybe you have a spare block of land just awaiting some community gardening development? If so, please let us know and we will put you in touch with those who may be able to help develop it as a food growing area.

Home Harvest Feast 2015

In its fourth year, the Home Harvest Feast is a celebration of home grown produce and local food. All growers are invited to celebrate in the harvest and the joys of local food by sharing a delicious community meal created by trained cooks using your home or community-grown produce.

  • Spend the summer growing the produce and in the week leading up to the Feast donate some in return for your tickets.
  • Attend the Feast in March 2015 and enjoy a delicious meal and great day!
Practically Green Festival

LFC is running a stall at the festival. We have a variety of displays and activities planned and if you would like to come along to help out for an hour or two, please contact Ann at a.strutt@belmatic.com.au. Continue reading »

Fruit with Zucchini

Sep 182014
 

baagStill-life with Fruit, also known informally as Fruit with Zucchini, a new sculpture by Lachlan Plain, was unveiled at Bulleen Art & Garden nursery today, 18 September.

As Lachlan said, “I hope my new sculpture inspires you to grow your own food.“

LFC News September 18 2014

Sep 182014
 

Local food-related events

Home Harvest 2015

In 2012, we had our first Home Harvest Feast, conceived to launch the Home Harvest booklet and encourage home growing of fruit and vegetables. Following its success and community interest there has been a feast and Home Harvest Month each year since, guided by a committee supported by both Nillumbik and Banyule Councils. We are now starting to plan for 2015 and grower registrations will open in the next few days. During the month of March, LFC has encouraged or organised events related to growing, harvesting and eating local food. What events would you like in 2015? We are also looking for people to help run events. If you are interested please let us know.

beekeepingBeekeeping courses

One of our members is offering a beekeeping course at Edendale Farm on the last Sunday of each month, 9:30am – 4:30pm. Each course includes a hands-on session opening and inspecting a beehive. To register or obtain more details, see this website.

Last week’s market produce

Here are a few ideas, sent in by an LFC member, of dishes to prepare with the seasonal produce sold at last week’s Eltham Farmers’ Market!

  • Asparagus (first of the season), leek and free range egg frittata.
  • Silverbeet and walnut (with a splash of lemon zest and juice) risotto.
  • Grass-fed lamb burgers with coriander pesto.
  • Apple and pear crumble with mint.
  • A platter of pear, soft cheeses and walnut.

What did you cook with your purchases?

Hurstbridge Food Swap

The swap at Hurstbridge is being revived with much enthusiasm and should start on Sunday October 5 at 10:30 am. More news next week.

Growing parsnips

Do you like parsnips but have trouble growing them? I heard a great story this week. A lady who had tried to grow parsnips unsuccessfully from seed, bought a parsnip from her local greengrocer and planted it in her garden. It grew leaves/fronds and eventually went to seed, spreading the seed all around. From this the gardener had a successful crop of parsnips!

Panton Hill Community lunches

October 9, November 13 and December 11, 12 – 3pm. For more information and bookings contact the Living and Learning Centre on 9433 3799.

Cooking courses

Food courses at Nillumbik L&L venues in October and November – Italian, Indian, Thai and Christmas cooking. Continue reading »

LFC News September 11 2014

Sep 112014
 

Local food-related events

Seedsaving at Diamond Valley Library

Edendale Farm’s resident seed saver, Rachel Bishop, will reveal the skills required to produce true-to-type vegetable seeds. Learn about seed selection, harvesting, processing and storing will all be covered. Tuesday, Sep 16, 11:30am.

Eltham SGA POD

This gardening group is meeting this Sunday afternoon, Sep 14, at a local home garden. After a tour of the garden, there will be a discussion of successful tomato varieties to plant. If interested, please contact Meredith: meredith@baag.com.au or 9439 8750.

fruitbowlStill Life with Fruit

On Thursday 18th September 5.30-7.30pm, an artwork which celebrates homegrown local food and is a testament to BAAG’s commitment to food gardening. The sculpture, Still Life with Fruit by sculptor, painter, award-winning author and puppeteer Lachlan Plain, www.lachlanplain.com, is a painterly rendition of the food gardener’s fruit bowl. At ten times the fruit’s original size, this fibre glass sculpture will tower over the entrance of Bulleen Art & Garden, testament to BAAG’s commitment to food gardening. The sculpture will be unveiled by Sigmund Jorgensen of Montsalvat and there will be a short artist talk by Lachlan.

There will also be some practical advice on how to get started on your own food forest with a talk by Angelo Eliades of Deep Green Permaculture and a guided walk to explore the artworks across the site.

RSVP essential – gallery@baag.com.au or 8850 3030.

Made on the Hill, October 26

The popular On the Hill festival is being held on Sunday 26 October 2014 with MADE ON THE HILL celebrating all things created and produced locally! The theme for 2014 is CHARACTERS AND IMAGINARY CREATURES. The following categories may appeal to Local Food Connect folk:

  • Fresh produce – edible fruit, eggs and vegetables.
  • Baking to the CHARACTERS AND IMAGINARY CREATURES theme – decorated cakes, sponges or biscuits, etc.
  • Baking general – cakes, slices, biscuits, tarts and pies.
  • Preserves – jams, sauces, fruit, pickles, relish, liqueurs, etc.

Other food activities/information

Food Alliance News

Follow Nick Rose’s trip studying food systems. Dr Nick Rose, Food Systems Project Coordinator at the Food Alliance, is currently undertaking a Churchill Fellowship and travelling to the US midwest, Toronto, and three cities in Argentina for almost three months to investigate innovation and inspiring urban agriculture initiatives.