LFC News November 25 2015

Nov 252015
 

macleodThe big veggie swap at Macleod was a great success

More than 100 people turned up and they clearly all had a good time. The auction and raffle raised around $3,600 for Macleod Organic Community Garden. Macleod veggie swap is an example of what other swaps can potentially aspire to.

We (and Panton Hill Winery) are international news!

panton hillLFC member Richard Holdsworth has written an article about LFC and Panton Hill Winery which appeared in Hastings Town Magazine, United Kingdom, in October. Click on the picture to read the article. Thanks, Richard!

Your local food swaps are national news!

See the ABC website. Here is a good quote from the article by Mark Sanders, of Moreland Food Gardens Network: “How more local can you get than going down to your local park and finding people who have grown their food three blocks away?“. And here is one of my profound contributions: “People who grow lemons typically have a surplus of lemons, and people growing mint generally have a surplus of mint.”

The RipeNearMe website

Have you ever used the RipeNearMe website? If so, could you email us with your experiences?

The Joyfull Pantry

the joyfull pantryThe Warrandyte Diary is a fabulous local newspaper – around one million times better than The Leader. Click on the picture to read their latest food-related article about a gift hamper mother and daughter duo called The Joyfull Pantry. They have even published a video to accompany the article.

New events

Book launch: The Australian Beekeeping Manual by Robert Owen

What: Prepaid bookings are essential. Eltham Book Shop and Exisle Publishing warmly welcome you to a book launch. Eltham resident Robert Owen’s practical, commonsensical, and definitive The Australian Beekeeping Manual will be launched by Professor David Vaux, deputy director at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Melbourne. Robert was introduced to the world of beekeeping in 2002 and hasn’t looked back. At first beekeeping was a hobby but it has now evolved into a family business, Bob’s Beekeeping Supplies, that offers beekeeping equipment and education. This book is the culmination of his own years of expertise and experience and also draws on the individual tales he has heard of the challenges and successes of managing honey bees in various environments. With over 350 photographs and drawings, the book covers the beekeeping equipment needed, how to obtain bees, where to locate them in the garden and the basics of colony management. There are also detailed chapters on the life cycle of the honey bee, extracting honey, the bee-friendly garden, entering honey in competitions, native bees and rearing queens.
When: Sunday, 29th November, 4.30-5.30pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $55. Includes a signed copy of the book (or a $45 gift voucher).
Enquiries/Bookings: Eltham Book Shop by phone (9439 8700) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Warrandyte business Christmas party

What: Bringing together local businesses and staff for a well-earned festive celebration. Intended for anyone from local, small businesses who would not ordinarily have a Christmas break up (e.g. tradies, beauticians, boutique shops, cafe owners and staff). Finger food provided, drinks at bar prices. Dress festive.
When: Thursday, 3rd December, 7pm-late.
Where: Warrandyte.
Cost: $30.
Enquiries: Deb Graham by phone (0415 170733) or email.
Bookings: Eventarc website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Little Feet Farm open day

What: This invite is for anyone who is interested in learning more
about their farm, or who is considering being part of their veggie box scheme but would like meet them first and see where and how their veggies are grown.
When: Sunday, 6th December, 2-5pm.
Where: Gladysdale.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Stuart Ryder by phone (5966 6515) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of all upcoming events

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Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News November 18 2015

Nov 182015
 

New events

Permatecture earth-bag workshop

What: This is your chance to gain lifelong practical skills and knowledge. In 4 days, you will learn the efficient and innovative technique of earth building known as Super Adobe. Get your hands in the soil and help create a beautiful natural build for the life of the co-op. Stuart Muir Wilson will be teaching a brief introduction to permaculture in relation to the site along with different aspects of gardening, successful and useful compost, repairing the soil, practical site analysis, and zoning. Participant fees from this course will be donated to Design for Humanity: Action to end Poverty.
When: 26th-29th November, 4 days, each 9am to 4pm.
Where: Hurstbridge Learning Co-op.
Cost: $400 or $120 per day.
Enquiries/Bookings: Stuart Muir Wilson by phone (0487 245590) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Christmas cake decorating

What: Irene, from Victorian Cake Decorating Society, will provide tips and tricks for decorating your Christmas cake.
When: Thursday, 3rd December, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Thomastown Library by phone (9464 1864) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cake decorating

What: Dot Evans, from Cake Decorators’ Association of Victoria, will teach you how to cover a cake so that it looks so professional that you will amaze the family. She will also show you how to make a reusable cake topper. There is a door prize – guess what it is.
When: Tuesday, 8th December, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Rosanna Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Rosanna Library by phone (9459 6171).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Festive season cooking demonstration

What: Would you like to learn how to prepare an exciting Lebanese dish as an addition to your festive meals preparation? Gada Saleh, from Bright Balance Nutrition, will take you through the steps so you can wow your Christmas crowd.
When: Saturday, 12th December, 1-2.30pm.
Where: Lalor Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Lalor Library by phone (9465 2353) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of all upcoming events

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Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News November 11 2015

Nov 112015
 

watsoniaA new gardening group in Watsonia

The Watsonia Home Gardening Group will meet monthly at Watsonia Neighbourhood House on the first Saturday of each month, starting 7th February, to share practical information and to gain hands-on experience on a range of topics relevant to the home gardener. You don’t need to be an experienced gardener. They will have activities that both children and adults can do, whilst they discuss how to help their gardens grow easily and cheaply.

More food swap news

I’ve just found out that the Rivers Community Produce Exchange at Yarrambat is no longer happening (not enough local interest). But it may well be that a new food swap is starting at St Andrews: as discussed under new events, there will be a pilot swap at St Andrews Community Centre on Saturday, 5th December, 11am-1pm.

The food swaps: when and where are they page provide a list of the currently active food swaps.

wineriesNillumbik wineries in the news

In the Leader (4th November).

Almonds, cherries and more stonefruit

Following last week’s words about citrus, I thought I would say something this week about the taxonomy of stonefruit:

  • Stonefruit refers to the fruit of the prunus genus.
  • Unlike citrus, stonefruit species are normal species and don’t naturally hybridise much.
  • 7 prunus are commonly eaten: almond, apricot, cherry (2 species), peach and plum (2 species).
  • Whilst Sweet Cherries are eaten raw, it is usually a different species – Sour Cherries – that are used in cooking.
  • Surprisingly, the European and Japanese plums are different species (with the former being a polyploid and the latter a diploid).
  • Nectarines are ‘just’ varieties of peach, where the skin is smooth.
  • A plumcot is a plum crossed with an apricot. Pluots are 25% apricot and 75% plum. Apriums are 75% apricot and 25% plum.

cabanel - Cleopatra testing poisons on those condemned to death (1887)But the really interesting species is the almond. The wild almond is both bitter and poisonous (it contains cyanide). So, how come prehistoric humans decided to domesticate it? How did they know that if they spent years breeding the cyanide out of it then it would taste yummy? How many people died before the modern day almond came into being? Was there a series of Cleopatra equivalents who tested poisonous almonds on slaves and some survived and reported back that almonds were potentially edible if only the bitterness were removed?

Melbourne good food month (November)

I haven’t been covering this on the grounds that it is not local, but this interactive graphic is, in some ways, quite cool.

New events

Cooking from root to tip – waste free cooking

What: With Emma Dean, cook, forager and winner of 2013 Masterchef winner. Emma’s passion for food began in the paddocks and kitchen of her regional Victoria childhood home. Her parents instilled a love of growing and cooking farm-fresh produce in Emma and from her youngest years she was taught to knead bread, grow veggies, and collect freshly-laid eggs. Emma will share her love and expertise of food with the audience and see firsthand how to get the most out using whole ingredients.
When: Wednesday, 11th November, 7-9pm.
Where: Box Hill.
Cost: free.
Bookings: eventbrite website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Permablitz 176

What: The Murray Family are excited to be hosting a day of building, planting and learning on their Lower Plenty property. Come and learn about water catchment and management, as well as planting out a food forest, constructing a pond, cultivating water ecosystems, improving soil and construction of raised kitchen garden beds. They will be hosting workshops from some expert Permies, providing delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and providing activities for kids, so bring them along!
When: Saturday, 14th November, 9.30am-4.30pm.
Where: Lower Plenty.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Permablitz website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Guided tour – Mim and Paul’s garden

What: see how Mim and Paul have created an attractive, functional garden which caters for many aspects of their lives: their growing family, entertaining and their passion for producing as much food as possible as sustainably as possible. By bookings only.
When: Saturday, 21st November, 10.30-11.30am, 1-2pm and 3-4pm.
Where: Heidelberg.
Cost: $15.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Discover heritage fruit & the heritage fruit society

What: John Pinniger of the Heritage Fruits Society has been promoting heritage fruits for over 20 years. He runs regular grafting and apple tasting events and works in the heritage apple block in Petty’s Orchard. Come and hear John talk about the importance of heritage varieties.
When: Tuesday, 24th November, 10-11am.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Turning a small space into a large harvest

What: With Indira Naidoo, broadcaster, author, chef and urban gardener. Indira has transformed her tiny thirteenth-floor balcony into a bountiful kitchen garden. Her garden demonstrates that growing produce has nothing to do with space; rather, it is about sunlight. Her 20 square metre garden produces over 70 kilograms of ever-changing selections of fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables every year. Join Indira as she inspires you to become a ‘seasonal performer’ with the guiding principles of how to set up your own small-space edible garden.
When: Wednesday, 25th November, 7-9pm.
Where: Manningham.
Cost: free.
Bookings: eventbrite website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

St Andrews Food Swap

What: This is a once-off food swap with a view to making it a regular event in 2016. It will take place at the same time and in the same place as the St Andrews Makers Market.
When: Saturday, 5th December, 11am-1pm.
Where: St Andrews.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Carla Perry by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Delicious Suburbia Open Studio

What: Local artist Felicity Gordon, will open her Watsonia studio for an afternoon art workshop. It is an open garden with a difference – visitors will create their own drawings and ink washes inspired by the permaculture veggie garden. No art experience is necessary as this will be a fun opportunity for adults to try a different medium while enjoying the unique beauty of the plants that sustain us. All art materials will be supplied.
When: Saturday, 5th December, 1-3.30pm.
Where: Watsonia.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Carla Perry by trybooking website.
Enquiries: Caitlin Armstrong by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Guided tour – Cara’s garden

What: Are you interested in how to have a productive garden in the modern home space – the 450 sq.m block on a new estate, how to grow attractive plants with low water use and how to cope with builder’s rubble and poor draining soils? Cara’s garden is testament to the fact that smaller gardens can be highly productive and attractive while still allowing for family space. By bookings only.
When: Saturday, 12th December, 10.30-11.30am and again at 1.30-2.30pm.
Where: Epping.
Cost: $15.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The Melbourne Tomato Festival 2016

What: The Melbourne Tomato Festival 2016 will be a gathering of local farmers selling produce, speakers, agriculturalists, cooking demonstrations, Italian food, artisan producers, special guests, history, workshops, entertainment and passata making, all celebrating ‘National Italian Day’. Passata making is an Italian tradition aimed at preserving tomatoes for their use throughout the year. The Melbourne Tomato Festival is the key event of the ‘Melbournese Movement’ and is committed to this preservation of food, authentic cooking, customs and traditions.
When: Sunday, 2nd February, 10am-4pm.
Where: Edendale, Eltham.
Cost: $25 per adult and $10 per child (6-13).
Bookings: trybooking website.
Further information: The festival website.

Summary of all upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News November 4 2015

Nov 042015
 

Myer Foundation – new food-related grants

The Myer Foundation has announced that grants to support capacity building for eligible community organisations are now available. Applications are invited for improvements to urban environments, in particular organisations focused on urban and community farming and food gardening, and street greening. Local governments or other network or umbrella groups may apply for grants to enable them to work with small groups and organisations in their area to strengthen their organisational capacity. Grants of between $30,000 and $100,000 will be available.

Lemons, lemons and more lemons

citrus taxonomyThe other day, I took some lemons to a food swap and came back with … lemons! But there was method in my madness. I took standard lemons and came back with a mixture of ‘over ripe’ limes (which looked like lemons) and Meyer lemons (which are sweet and can be eaten raw). That stimulated me to explore the taxonomy of citrus. Here are a few things that I found out:

  • The 3 progenitors of most of the other citrus species are citron, mandarin and pomelo.
  • The standard lemon is (probably) a cross between a citron and a pomelo.
  • The sweet orange is (probably) a cross between a mandarin and a pomelo.
  • The Meyer lemon is (probably) a cross between a sweet orange and a standard lemon.
  • So, the Meyer lemon is a different species than the standard lemon.
  • There are at least 14 different species which are called limes, 8+ species which are called lemons and 8+ species which are called oranges.
  • I presume that, in general terms, citrus are called lemons when they have yellow fruit, limes when they have greenish fruit and oranges when they have orange fruit (but why, then, tangerines etc?), but I haven’t actually seen anything which says this.
  • All 8 of the Australian limes are original species, not crosses.
  • The benchmark citrus fruit for marmalade production is the bitter orange, not the sweet orange.
  • In tropical regions, with no winter, all citrus fruits remain green thru to maturity.

Where post-punk music and food meet

icon alternative post-punkAt Eltham Farmer’s Market on Sunday, we have some new entertainment: the Alternative Post-Punk A Cappella Choir. Listen to one of their songs:

Call Me by Blondie

We now have example songs for most of the entertainers (my favourite being Right by Beautiful Beasts). We also have example videos for many of them (my favourite being Yield by Charlie Mgee and the Formidable Vegetable Sound System).

Fay Loveland is responsible for organising the entertainment at the market. If you have any suggestions for new bands, please email her.

New events

Film: This Changes Everything

What: What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world? Filmed over 211 shoot days in nine countries and five continents over four years, This Changes Everything is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change. Read more here.
When: Monday, 9th November, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Hoyts, Greensborough.
Cost: $20.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Veggie swap at Malahang Community Festival

What: This once-off veggie swap will be part of the Malahang Community Festival.
When: Sunday, 15th November, 10-11am.
Where: Malahang Reserve, Heidelberg West.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Caitlin Armstrong by phone (9457 9913) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local Food Connect AGM

What: The necessary formalities will be brief and you can socialise with fellow members before and after the meeting. You will also have the opportunity to hear from one of our local farmers (and LFC member) Kate Rothacker. Kate’s family own Top Hundred Acres farm in Yan Yean and are also a supplier of eggs to Eltham Farmers’ Market. Kate is a third generation farmer and their produce is nurtured from the ground up using sustainable, chemically-free farming practices.
When: Thursday, 19th November, 7-9pm.
Where: Nillumbik Health, Eltham.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Chris Chapple by phone (0407 431366) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Big veggie swap plus green & local auction

What: Occasionally the Macleod Food Swap is transformed into a mega swap, including people from other swaps and also including an auction of green and local products. This is the next such mega swap. So, if you ever go to any of the food swaps, come to this one. The swap will be at 11am and the auction will be at midday. All proceeds raised from the auction are for the Macleod Organic Community Garden.
When: Saturday, 21st November, 11am-1pm.
Where: Rotunda in Macleod Park, Macleod.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Robin by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Christmas cake decorating

What: Dot, from Cake Decorators’ Association of Victoria, will show you how to decorate the perfect Christmas cake.
When: Monday, 7th December, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Whittlesea Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Whittlesea Library by phone (9716 3028).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Making gingerbread houses

What: Get some hands-on practice creating gingerbread houses for Christmas with Irene from the Cake Decorators’ Association of Victoria. Bookings required.
When: Tuesday, 8th December, 1-2.30pm.
Where: Mill Park Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Jack Chan by phone (9437 8189) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Italian Christmas gnocchi

What: Nadia De Cesaris will show you how to make gnocchi from scratch for a festive dish with a twist. Nadia and her mum will also share some stories of Italian Christmas traditions with you. Tastings included.
When: Friday, 11th December, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Eltham Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Eltham Library by phone (9439 9266) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of all upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.