LFC News March 25 2015

Mar 252015
 

Survey results

Thanks to the 120 people who responded to the one-question survey:

  • 66% live in Nillumbik, 25% live in Banyule and 9% live elsewhere.
  • Of those who live in Nillumbik, more than half (37% of the total) live in Eltham and the other 29% live elsewhere in Nillumbik.
  • After Eltham, the suburbs with the most respondents were (in order): Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek, Greensborough, Montmorency, St Andrews, Eltham North and Macleod, each with 3-7% of the total respondents.

To the 520 people who did not reply, here is another chance to do so: simply reply to this email with the suburb in which you live.

New recipe – rhubarb muffins

At Eltham Food Swap on 22nd March, Fay (Loveland) kindly gave out rhubarb muffins to participants. She has now submitted the recipe to the website. If you have a recipe that you would like on the website, just email us.

dehydratorNew equipment – Fowlers Ultimate Dehydrator

We now have a dehydrator which you can borrow. Click here to enter your desired dates.

And, of course, you can still borrow our Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit. Click here to enter your desired dates.

New events

Open day at Outback Farm

What: Grab a green bag from the gate and spend the day wandering through the tastiest tomatoes, marvel at the zucchini, enormous eggplants and a variety of beetroot, carrots, cucumbers, pumpkins and much more.
When: Saturday, 11th April, 10am-2pm.
Where: 2958 Bengworden Road, Perry Bridge, 3862 (East Gippsland).
Cost: $20 (includes a green bag to fill with whatever veg you can fit in).
To book: Lorelle, by email or phone (0407 998012).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

An evening with Joel Salatin

What: Be inspired and empowered by Joel Salatin, a third generation alternative farmer from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, as he addresses seven fears with seven solutions – not having enough knowledge, money or labour, developing a market and business, and being optimistic.
When: Sunday, 19th April, 5.30-9pm.
Where: Whittlesea Showgrounds.
Cost: $30.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Mariam Issa – refugee and community gardener

What: Mariam recently featured on Gardening Australia and in the Age. Come listen as she talks about her book on resilience and her personal life journey as a refugee.
When: Tuesday, 21st April, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library.
Cost: free.
To book: Dione Flegg, by email or phone (9434 3809).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

If you know of any events that should be included in the newsletter and website, email us. If you have a flyer, we can also include that. Just one request: please make sure that the details are in a form that we can copy/paste (i.e. not just a jpg).

Upcoming events from previous LFC News

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News March 18 2015

Mar 182015
 

For those who weren’t at the harvest feast on Sunday, here’s a photo. Can you spot anyone that you know?
feast

New upcoming events

Upcoming events from previous LFC News

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

If you know of any events that should be included in the newsletter and website, email us. If you have a flyer, we can also include that. Just one request: please make sure that the details are in a form that we can copy/paste (i.e. not just a jpg).

Opportunities for getting involved in activities at the Eltham Farmers’ Market

The Local Food Connect marquee

Whilst we have a schedule of people to man the marquee, they could always benefit from additional help. For any market, you can help for anywhere from, say, an hour up to the full duration of the market. If interested, contact Fay by email or phone (0405 790150).

The Eltham Food Swap

We are looking for people to help out with the Eltham food swap from 10am to 11am on any 4th Sunday of the month. If interested, contact Fay by email or phone (0405 790150).

The Community Market Stall

We are looking for people to sell their surplus produce at the stall on any 2nd Sunday of the month. For more information about this potentially exciting initiative, go to the relevant page on the LFC website. If you are potentially interested, contact Guy by email or phone (0416 203067; 9444 1400).

Birthday celebrations

Eltham Farmers’ Market will be coming of age on 12th April (markets come of age at age one!). Come along to celebrate by either eating free cake or by entering the free competition to winner a hamper of local produce.

Other matters

Preserving kit for loan – now no bond is required!

There is still no bond required to borrow our new Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit. Click here to enter your desired dates.

LFC News March 11 2015

Mar 112015
 

New upcoming events

Opening of Templestowe College’s permaculture garden

What: Students at Templestowe College are proud to be opening their edible garden to the public. This dynamic new space showcases resourceful use of re-purposed materials and permaculture strategies towards their goal of a sustainable productive system. A collaboration of students from the college’s VCAL, Outdoor Education, Care of Animals and Montessori Adolescent programs, along with offerings from the Catering and Music departments, will make for an enjoyable and informative afternoon.
When: Sunday, 22nd March, midday-3pm.
Where: Templestowe College.
Cost: free.
To book: Sally Holloway, 9850 6333, aoc@tc.vic.edu.au.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Grow your own, eat your own – Autumn garden workshop

What: What do you do in your garden now that the summer crop is coming to an end and autumn is setting in? Not sure of what you can plant now for the coming season? Go along along to the workshop to find out.
When: Sunday, 29th March, 10-30am-12.30pm.
Where: Montmorency Primary School.
Cost: free.
To book: Julie, 0438 115853.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Hurstbridge Gardening Club

What: Sue Aldred on native plants – why and how.
When: Tuesday, 7th April, 7.15-9.15pm.
Where: Community and Family Centre, Hurstbridge.
Cost: free.
To book: Cheryl Lowe, 9438 1563, hbridgegardenclub@gmail.com.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Upcoming events from previous LFC News

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

If you know of any events that should be included in the newsletter and website, email us. If you have a flyer, we can also include that. Just one request: please make sure that the details are in a form that we can copy/paste (i.e. not just a jpg).

Other matters

Preserving kit for loan – now no bond is required!

We have decided that, for the time being at least, no bond required to borrow our new Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit. So, you now have no excuse not to borrow it! Click here to enter your desired dates.

LFC News March 4 2015

Mar 042015
 

Community Market Stall at Eltham Farmers’ Market on Sunday, 8th March

Stuart Rodda will be selling veggies and fruit again. Go to the stall on Sunday, talk with Stuart, and buy his stuff!

At the market on 12th April, there will be growers selling honey, fruit and veggies.

For more information about this potentially exciting initiative, go to the relevant page on the LFC website. If you are potentially interested in selling your surplus produce at future markets, contact Guy Palmer by (email or phone (0416 203067; 9444 1400).

New upcoming events

Hurstbridge Uniting Church – Summer harvest festival

What: You are invited to bring up to 10-12 very small pieces of some kind of food to share in the service – fresh or dried fruit or veggies, nuts, cheese, chips, etc. There will also be a separate opportunity to bring gifts of food to be distributed through the Diamond Valley Food-share – perishable or non-perishable.
When: Sunday, 15th March, 9-10am.
Where: Hurstbridge Uniting Church.
Cost: free.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Healthy eating in school canteens workshop

What: An event run by the Healthy Eating Advisory Service. For schools, particularly primary schools. Afternoon tea will be provided.
When: Wednesday, 18th March, 2.30-5.30pm.
Where: Hurstbridge Primary School.
Cost: free.
To book: contact Bridget King by email or phone (9430 9169).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

A foodies tour of Box Hill

What: Discover the hidden culinary delights of Box Hill Central’s fresh food markets. Local chef Dominic Yu will take you on an insider’s tour of Melbourne’s most authentic Asian fresh food markets.
When: Thursday, 19th March, 10am-midday.
Where: Box Hill Mall.
Cost: $30.

Passata making workshop

What: Succulent tomato sauce is not difficult to make. Come along and enjoy an afternoon with others at the Southern Road Community Kitchen. Learn how to make a delicious traditional Italian passata sauce and take home a bottle to enjoy at home. Don’t worry about the ingredients – they have got it covered.
When: Saturday, 28th March, 2-4.30pm.
Where: OAE Kitchen, 233 Southern Road, Heidelberg Heights (next door to Bunnings).
Cost: $15 or $10 concession.
To book: email Suzanne Crellin or phone OAE on 9450 2665.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Growing and preserving herbs

What: Edendale is partnering with gardeners from the Eltham South POD – a gardening group – and other keen local food gardeners to share tips for growing and preserving herbs. Participants are invited to join in by sharing some of their own skills and knowledge, seeds and cuttings.
When: Sunday, 29th March, 2-4pm.
Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham.
Cost: free.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

emma deanReaping the rewards in the kitchen with Emma Dean.

What: Bringing everything back to the kitchen, Emma Dean will show you how make use of your fabulous home harvest and fresh food, while Tanya Ha will share the ‘take home’ practicalities of smart living. Emma’s cooking style is inspired by a combination of her regional upbringing and her enthusiasm for urban foraging, resulting in dishes that mix classic with the more unusual and adventurous.
When: Wednesday, 1st April, 7-9pm.
Where: Civic Centre, Manningham City Council.
Cost: free.
To book: Manningham City Council, 9846 0579, waste@manningham.vic.gov.au.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Upcoming events from previous LFC News

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

If you know of any events that should be included in the newsletter and website, email us. If you have a flyer, we can also include that. Just one request: please make sure that the details are in a form that we can copy/paste (i.e. not just a jpg)..

Other matters

Montmorency Primary School Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Montmorency Primary School is looking at recruiting new volunteers to work in their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. This valuable life-skills program teaches children all aspects of production from garden to plate. As a volunteer, you would assist their garden and kitchen specialist and other volunteers whilst working with the children in either or both of their kitchen and garden program (every Tuesday) or garden maintenance/growing (every Thursday). On a Tuesday, you can choose to work 9-11am or 11.45am-2pm. On a Thursday, you can choose any times between 9am and 3pm.

If you are interested, please email Keryn Johnson or phone the school on 9434 5944. You do not need to be a green thumb or a master chef to volunteer, just an interest in volunteering and learning alongside their gorgeous children.

Fermenting for Health

River of Plenty Healing Centre is seeking expressions of interest for a Fermenting For Health and/or Advanced Sourdough workshop. To register your interest, please contact Fiona by email or by phone (0412 099397).

Where Australia’s imported food comes from

An interesting, interactive graphic.

Preserving kit for loan

Click here to borrow our new Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit.