Lara takes the locavore challenge

Four Warrandyte families recently took the locavore challenge. In a major article in the Warrandyte Diary (a double page spread plus the front page!), Lara McKinley, from one of those families, has written up their experiences. Here is how she starts the article: “It was day three into our week-long challenge to eat locally. It was a mad, crazy thing to do and I’d been researching my little socks off just to get food on the table. My family were having dinner. It was all smiles – with a family of five that’s the first miracle – then it got better: My son Billy said, ‘Tell us the story of the food.’ And just like that we had shifted from anonymous supermarket shopping to something more connected and authentic; our second little miracle. Make yourself a coffee and read the full article.

For another of Lara’s articles in the Warrandyte Diary – on the ‘Food is Free’ initiative at The Rotary Club of Warrandyte Donvale Op Shop – click here.

Genuine free range

Whereas some parts of the world (e.g. the European Union) regulate marketing standards for egg farming, and thus what can be described as ‘free range’, Australia does not. Rather, the theory in Australia is apparently “The producer is bound by consumer expectations and perceptions of what constitutes free range. Producers are generally thought to be bound to Model Codes of Practice of Animal Welfare: Domestic Poultry published by the CSIRO.” (see Wikipedia).

The (hardly unexpected!) problem is that, in practice, many producers do not feel themselves bound by the CSIRO code and the public is none the wiser. This is clear from the graphic (click it for a full size version): whereas the CSIRO code specifies an upper limit of 1,500 chickens per hectare, many of the major ‘free range’ egg producers have up to 10,000 chickens per hectare. To find out more about this issue, read CHOICE’s recent report or their
associated Facebook post. Thanks to Wendy Moore for pointing out these links to me.

It may well be that proper regulation will be introduced in the new year (e.g. see recent news reported by the ABC). But in the meantime what can you do about the situation? The obvious solution is to buy your eggs from a producer who is actually certified against some actual, defined standards. There are two such standards: Free Range Farmers Association in Victoria (maximum 750 chickens per hectare) and Humane Choice (maximum 1,500 chickens per hectare). There are a total of 11 egg producers in Victoria who have one of these two certifications. And one of these – Top Hundred Acres from Yan Yean – is local to us and has several local outlets, including Eltham Farmers’ Market. The eggs of one other (Family Homestead Genuine Free Range Eggs) are apparently available from Coles.

Volunteering opportunity at Eltham Farmers’ Market

As many of you will know, Local Food Connect has an information stand at every Eltham Farmers’ Market. We also have a schedule of ‘booth bosses’ to set up and man the stand. But these booth bosses ideally need company, both to allow them breaks and for someone to talk to. Would you be interested in helping out at any market? In particular, would you be interested in helping out on any of 28th June, 12th July or 26th July? If interested, email us.

New events

Pasta making

What: Hilda and Laurie of Yarra Valley and authors of Wow! It’s Italian Gourmet Cook Book are first generation Italians, passionate about their recipes and would love to share them with you. Learn how to make perfect pasta using the correct ratio of liquid to flour.
When: Tuesday, 14th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: gwest@yprl.vic.gov.au.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sourdough bread making

What: Tutor – Kylie Moppert. Suitable for novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Making bread is as much about the pleasure of the experience as the delight of eating the product. Includes the theory, hands on and take home.
When: Saturday, 18th July, 10.30am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $45 or $40 concession.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Soil matters

What: Learn about the soil food web and how you can recycle household and garden organic waste by setting up a worm farm or backyard compost system. This workshop would suit learners wanting to recycle household and garden organic waste in order improve soils. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the outdoors as part of the workshop will be hands-on around the farm.
When: Saturday, 18th July, 2-4.30pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Edendale website.
Further information: Edendale website.

If you know of any events that could usefully 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

• Setting up and maintaining a worm farm: Friday, 19th June, 10.30am-12.30pm.
• Winter Wine Fest 2015: Saturday, 20th June, 11am-5pm.
• Winter Wine Fest 2015: Sunday, 21st June, 11am-5pm.
• Safer pest controls: Sunday, 21st June, 2-4pm.

Over the next month

• Seed saving: Wednesday, 8th July, 10am-midday.
• Pasta making: Tuesday, 14th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
• Change makers: Wednesday, 15th July, 6-9pm.

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Readers’ contributions

Hurstbridge Organic Fruit and Veggie Co-operative is seeking new families

Would you like a new way of weekly shopping for your organic fruit and veggies? This is a long running co-op of local families who order and buy bulk organic fruit and veggies at wholesale prices each week. Key points:

• Each week a selection of fruits and veggies are offered.

• Order only what you want and need – not a price per box system.

• Each family has a job in the co-op. They are currently seeking hosts and packers – the time commitment required is about 2-3 hours every 5-6 weeks. Hosts get the veggies delivered to their house and, using an excel spreadsheet, print off packing slips. Packers then come along and pack the veggies into boxes for members to collect. They have 5 host houses. Packing is easy and is mostly done in pairs, at the host’s house. Children are welcome but need to be supervised.

• Ordering and payments are made via email/internet banking.

• By using a co-op, you are supporting a great organic food industry – better for you and the planet. And with the money you save, you can continue to support the local organic shops for anything that isn’t in the selection each week, as well as other organic goodness!

For more information, contact Michelle Clayton by phone (0425 756345) or email.

Can you volunteer for cooking classes?

The Northern Cancer Support Group is planning a series of cooking classes for men who have been bereaved. They are seeking a volunteer to run the class of 4-8 participants for 6 sessions. The classes will utilise a book complied by the Whittlesea Men’s Shed entitled A Beginners Kitchen. The group has the use of a commercial kitchen in South Morang and has received funding for the ingredients. If interested, contact Carol Woolcock on 0402 125362.

Do you have space for two pigs?

Someone needs to re-house her two pet female pigs either short term or long term (depending on what rental she is able to get for herself and her 10 year old daughter). Is there anyone out there who could accommodate two pigs? They want to visit them and would take full care of them. The ideal location would be Hurstbridge and surrounds as that is where they are looking for rental. If interested, contact Lucinda Flynn by email.

Sabi discusses food foraging

Sabi Buehler, a stalwart of both Local Food Connect and Nillumbik U3A, has written an article especially for this newsletter discussing food foraging, both past and present. Here is the first paragraph: “Recently I visited my sister in Tasmania and, despite the steady rain and icy winds, we set out to do some foraging along a dis-used railway track. The elderberries and blackberries were already long gone and the mushrooms we found were too waterlogged to be worth picking. However, we managed to get some plump rose hips which would eventually be made into a tasty jam. The highlight, though, was finding a small apple tree heavily laden with perfect rosy and gold fruit. Birds had already sampled some of the apples and the ones that had fallen on the ground provided a feast for worms and other creatures. But there was plenty for everyone and my sister and I picked a couple of bags full and returned home happy, albeit with thoroughly sodden clothing.” Read the full article on the LFC website.

France passes new law forbidding food waste

As many of you might know, France has recently passed a law which bans grocery stores from throwing away unsold food. Chris Peters recommends an article on Treehugger which discusses the law.

Something is obviously afoot in France as they also recently passed a law that requires new buildings in commercial zones to be partially covered in either plants or solar panels. See, for example, the article on TriplePundit.

We are sending a reporter to France in August and September to investigate! Watch this space.

New events

Taste, experience and learn about bushfoods

What: Come along to taste the delights of country and re-discover indigenous plants through aboriginal culture. For thousands of years Aboriginal people lived off the land, with indigenous plants crucial to their survival and culture. Indigenous plants have many uses in Aboriginal culture such as food, medicine, fibre, implements, adhesives and cultural purposes. You will be in the garden so dress for the weather, wear sunscreen, a hat and bring a re-fillable bottle of water.
When: Saturday, 13th June, 10am-midday.
Where: Carome Homestead, Mernda.
Enquiries/Bookings: Fiona by phone (0407 138396) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

How to grow and cook Winter Asian vegetables

What: Learn from permaculturalist Seila Hierk and Mikoto Araki how to grow and cook winter Asian vegetables. These include Chinese broccoli, bok choy, pak choy, wongbok, Tokyo bekana, shallots or spring onions, tumeric, mizuna, tatsoi, daikon and mustard greens. They can be planted now and are short term vegetables that can be harvested in 2 to 3 months. Handouts, seedlings available and food sample. Numbers limited; please book before 10th June.
When: Sunday, 14th June, 2-5pm.
Where: Olympic Adult Education, Heidelberg West.
Enquiries/Bookings: OAE by phone (9450 2665) or Suzanne Crellin by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Carome Homestead Produce Swap, Mernda

What: Share your excess produce. Veggies, seeds, seedlings, flowers, compost, worm tea, worms, used coffee grounds, jams and preserves, baked goods, eggs, chook poo etc. Everyone welcome.
When: the 1st Saturday of every month, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: 10 Hathfelde Boulevard, Mernda.
Enquiries/Bookings: Fiona by phone ( 0407 138396) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

If you know of any events that could usefully 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

• Australian animals tour: Friday, 5th June, 9.30am.
• Australian animals tour: Friday, 5th June, 11.15am.
• Australian animals tour: Friday, 5th June, 1pm.
• Australian animals tour: Friday, 5th June, 2.30pm.
• Grafting fruit trees: Wednesday, 10th June, 7.30am-9.30pm.

Over the next month

• Composting and worm farming: Thursday, 11th June, 10.30am-12.30pm.
• How to grow and cook Winter Asian vegetables: Sunday, 14th June, 2-5pm.
• Foray into fungi: Saturday, 13th June, 9.30am-midday.
• Taste, experience and learn about bushfoods: Saturday, 13th June, 10am-midday.
• Getting the most from your winter harvest: Tuesday 16th June, 10.30-11.30am.
• Setting up and maintaining a worm farm: Friday, 19th June, 10.30am-12.30pm.
• Winter Wine Fest 2015: Saturday, 20th June, 11am-5pm.
• Winter Wine Fest 2015: Sunday, 21st June, 11am-5pm.

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.