LFC News June 28 2017

Jun 282017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

A question of arithmetic for you: when is a subtraction really a division? This week’s tip provides the answer.

“Now is a good time to divide your perennial herbs and veggies. Dividing your plants will: help stop their spread into areas they are not wanted; promote more vigorous growth; provide you with more plants for other parts of your garden; and make for great gifts to others. The list that can be divided is long, but includes: asparagus, blackberries, chives, globe artichokes, marjoram, mint, oregano, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries and watercress.”

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Helen Simpson interviews Margot Meredith and Jim Cunnington

Some of you will know Margot through her involvement in the Watsonia Library Community Garden and Greensborough Food Swap. Helen has now interviewed Margot and Jim as home growers. Here is the first paragraph: “Walking down the side road to Jim and Margot’s corner block house, I immediately know I’m going to the house of creative gardeners. Masses of luxurious plants grow down the outside of their side street fence and, as I turn the corner and open the picket gate, I am delighted by the sun-dappled front yard with a number of fruit trees, a huge rhubarb plant, plus pretty bee attracting, flowering shrubs. Margot has made a delicious carrot cake, so we firstly sit around the table to chat over morning tea.” Read the full interview.

Buying Certified Organic food in North East Melbourne

If you want to eat food that was locally grown or made, you have lots of choices. If you want to eat Certified Organic food, you again have lots of choices. But if you want to eat food that is both local and Certified Organic then, at least in North East Melbourne, your choices are very limited. Your options are discussed in a new article on the website. In summary:

Read the full article.

What to plant in July (see the website for details)

Here is a list:
Beetroot
Coriander
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Onion
Peas
Radish
Shallot

The shortest list of the year.

Local food producer news

Hibi farm, in Heidelberg West, featured in the June edition of pip magazine. There is also a podcast interview with prime mover Maria Cameron.

Cath Lyons, aka Tiny Trowel has been interviewed on 89.9lightFM. Listen to her interview.

Eltham Farmers’ Market needs a new theme song

For the last three years, the theme song has been Happy by Pharrell Williams. I’ve now been told that it is time to retire the song and choose a new one. Any suggestions? Email me. The chosen song should be: a) well known, b) upbeat, c) catchy and d) this century(!). Email your suggestions.

On a related issue, if you have any suggestions more generally for what music to play during the market, again please email me.

Fundraising drive for schools and community groups

KABUU are having a Spring garden fundraising drive for schools and community groups. See their leaflet pictured right.

Going Green Solutions

Going Green Solutions is one of the liveliest, local Facebook pages, with most of the content being about eco-friendly food-related equipment. They are based in Hurstbridge (929 Main Road) and you can also buy their products online on their website. Their owner is newsletter reader, Lucinda Flynn.

Kevin Heinze GROW

Kevin Heinze GROW are based in Doncaster. They “work with children and adults of all abilities to provide, enhance and promote the benefits of horticulture based therapy.” and their “activities promote social inclusion, laughter and friendship.“.

Nillumbik Healthy Schools newsletter

If you are involved in any food-related activities at your local school, you might be interested in receiving the quarterly Nillumbik Healthy Schools newsletter distributed by healthAbility. Whilst some of it is specific to Nillumbik (and Banyule), around half of the material is more general. To subscribe, email them.

Website calendar enhancement

On the main calendar page, you have always been able to limit the results to a specific Council area by choosing that Council from the ‘locations’ drop down box, but now you can also go to ready made pages where this filtering has been done for you: Banyule, Boroondara, City of Yarra, Darebin, Manningham, Maroondah, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.

I have also written some code which can be used to display these sorts of filtered calendars on any website, drawing on the data from our database in real time. So, for example, your website could have a calendar of events for your Council, or just for your suburb, or just farmers’ markets, or whatever. Just email me if you would like such a calendar on your website.

Why you should pee in your garden

Susan Palmer suggests that you read this article. She tells me that she has done extensive testing and that everything in the article works as stated.

Proverb of the month

It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Meaning: There is no point worrying about a mistake or bad situation from the past. First known from a publication entitled Proverbs in 1659 by someone called James Howell. That publication also introduced to the world the famous proverb All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Joke of the week

Two more jokes from Meg Montague:

Why should you never enter a corn field? You’d get lost in the maize.

Why did the maize fail as a stand-up comedian? The jokes were just too corny.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Seasonal cooking: edible weed dips

What: Learn how to make two dips with two different edible weeds that grow at the garden: nettles and mallow. Interactive, edible and vegan friendly.
When: Saturday, 1st July, 10.30-11am.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: by donation, $5-10 suggested.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The permaculture orchard

What: Go and learn how to design and manage a permaculture orchard. Whether you have a large property or a small garden you can grow the fruit you love at home. John Ferris, from Edible Forest Gardens, will cover tree selection, feeding, pruning techniques and pests & diseases.
When: Sunday, 2nd July, 1-3pm.
Where: Edible Forest Gardens, Wonga Park.
Cost: Gold coin donation.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Social media marketing for hospitality

What: Go along and meet Mark Khoder who specialises in social media for the hospitality industry. Hear him talk about how to drive the awareness and good word of mouth for your business using the power of social media. Ideal for all the local cafes, restaurants, wineries and other local food producers. Hosted by Nillumbik Business Network.
When: Wednesday, 12th July, 6.45-9pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: free.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Wild fermentation and sauerkraut workshop

What: Sauerkraut is a fun, easy and tasty way to enter the world of wild fermentation. This workshop will cover: how to make and ferment sauerkraut at home; the basic principles and information about how fermentation works; and why fermented products are important in your diet. You will receive an information booklet. Please BYO apron and wide mouth jar (between 600ml-800ml) – any recycled jar will do.
When: Saturday, 22nd July, 2-4pm.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fruit tree pruning

What: Presenter Chris England. A workshop for beginners or as a refresher for more experienced gardeners. There will be a lecture/demonstration of pruning techniques for all sorts of fruit trees (apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, citrus). There will also be a supervised pruning session in the Burnley Field Station where Chris will instruct and help you. BYO cleaned secateurs, gloves and closed shoes. Morning tea included.
When: Saturday, 5th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne.
Cost: $65.
Bookings: Friends of Burnley Gardens by phone (9035 6815) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Keeping chooks in the suburbs

What: Have you you always wanted to keep chooks in the suburbs? This workshop will go through how to feed and care for your poultry, the local laws, housing and your neighbours. You will also cover diseases, predators and pets. Also, how to handle your chook correctly (live chickens) and which heritage breed to buy and from where.
When: Tuesday, 15th August, 7-9.30pm.
Where: North Ringwood Community House.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

DIY water-wise wicking beds

What: Learn all about wicking beds and how they use less water than conventional garden beds to produce an abundance of veggies. Discover how to build one and get advice on which materials to use. Perfect for people who are conscious of their water use or are not able to water their gardens daily over summer.
When: Thursday, 17th August, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Balwyn Leisure Centre.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

DIY worm farms

What: What you will learn: how to make a working worm farm from recycling materials; how to look after worms for maximum productivity; and how to use the worm by-products to best effect in your garden. What you will get: a worm farm that you set up on the day; the worms and bedding to start your worm farm; and notes so that you look after your worms well. Worm farms are a great way to recycle kitchen scraps but buying commercial ones is expensive. In this hands-on workshop, you will recycle materials to make decorated working worm farms. This workshop is suitable for parents with young children to work on together (for a single price).
When: Saturday, 19th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $70.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Sourdough bread making workshop

What: Tutor Jenna Farrington-Sear. This workshop will cover basic theory as well as the tactile pleasure of all the steps of making bread from milled flour. Suitable for both novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Topics to be covered: the essential ingredients and tools of the trade; the principal steps of bread making; baker’s percentage and hydration; mixing, kneading and folding dough; shaping loaves, scoring and baking; and maintaining a starter. You will take home: a piece of dough which can be baked at home; and a sourdough starter.
When: Saturday, 19th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $59.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Edible weeds walk

What: What if many of the weeds in our garden were just as edible as the vegetables we tend beside them? What if some of these these free, all-too-easy-to-grow uninvited guests were so nutritionally dense that they are just about the healthiest things you could possibly eat? What if many of them also had medical traditions dating back centuries? Well it’s all true! And if you know what to choose, they also taste great. Join Adam Grubb, co-author of The Weed Forager’s Handbook, for a fascinating walk on the wild side.
When: Sunday, 20th August, 11am-1pm.
Where: Merri Creek Trail.
Cost: $25 ($20 concession).
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Mooroolbark Growers & Weeders present – “an introduction to permaculture”

What: Claire Coutts, from Outer Eastern Permaculture Swap, will introduce you to the basic principles of permaculture, a concept originally created in Australia, covering sustainability and self-sufficiency. By applying these principles in our daily life, we can move from being dependent consumers to becoming responsible producers. Claire will also explain how to make your garden more productive with less work.
When: Tuesday, 22nd August, 2-3pm.
Where: Mooroolbark Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Mooroolbark Library by phone (9800 6480).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sensational sourdough at home

What: What you will learn: how to start your own sourdough starter; how to maintain your sourdough starter without lots of waste; and how to use your starter to make, shape and score sensational genuine sourdough bread. What you will get: recipes sheets describing all of the techniques used; a sample of active starter for you to continue to maintain at home; a loaf that you shape, ready to take home to rise, score and bake; and batch of sourdough that you have mixed, for you to take home and continue the process on to baking. Anne, from The Mixing Bowl, will take you from the basics of making your own starter, through to our low-knead technique, using ‘stretch and fold’, the rising process and then the baking. In so doing, Anne will de-bunk a lot of the ‘rules’ surrounding making a good sourdough loaf.
When: Thursday, 24th August, 11am-3pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $98.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Winter fruit tree maintenance (Bulleen)

What: What you will learn: pruning – formative and maintenance of new and established fruit trees. Also, selection and planting of new fruit trees; Winter fruit tree maintenance practices for pest and disease prevention, control and treatment; and pruning tool maintenance. Presented by Angelo Eliades. The aim of this demonstration class is that you will leave it feeling confident to maintain your fruit trees. The preparation that is done in the colder months pays mighty dividends in the growing and harvesting seasons to come. Learn all of the pruning techniques and needs of individual fruit trees from apples and plums to persimmons and pomegranates. And hear about what not to do. Discover how to reduce and prevent pest and diseases that compromise your fruit production. Learn how to treat problems with different methods – organic/permaculture and conventional. They will also cover buying new fruit trees and will demonstrate how to clean and sharpen your pruning tools and other edged garden tools (spades etc). You have the option to bring one of your own pruning tools along and learn how to sharpen it.
When: Saturday, 26th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

View the calendars for specific Council areas: Banyule, Boroondara, City of Yarra, Darebin, Manningham, Maroondah, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for events of a given type (such as markets).

LFC News June 21 2017

Jun 202017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“It seems hard to believe that we have already reached the winter solstice and that the days will soon be feeling longer as we head out of winter towards spring. So, with that in mind, have you done your winter pruning yet? Some people like to wait until late winter (mid-July) but, if you have the time and inclination, now is as good a time as any, particularly if all your leaves have fallen. It’s also a great time to clean and sharpen your secateurs and pruners. A decent sharpening stone and some vegetable oil or lanoline spray is all you need for this. In fact I know someone with dirty hands who just spits on his sharpening stone! Another common practice is to sterilise your pruners when moving from one tree to another to minimise transfer of diseases. This is done by dipping them in bleach or tea tree solutions or by spraying with metho and wiping clean before moving on. Some garden centres (and most mower shops) will also sell ‘all-in-one’ cleaning/lubricating/disinfection sprays for your pruning tools. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands.”

Editor’s note: here is a very watchable video about how to remove rust from your tools.

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Organic certification – everything you want to know but are afraid to ask

Stimulated by the recent opening of Organic Fix, I decided to write an article about the relationship between local food and Certified Organic food. But I quickly discovered that I first needed to discuss some key points about organic certification. So, the article has become a two-parter: organic certification this week and the relationship between local food and Certified Organic food next week.

The organic certification article is 1,500 words long and it would be good for you to read the lot. But, if not, here are some of the key points:

  • A food product is Certified Organic if and only if it has been certified as such by one of the 7 certifying bodies in Australia. These bodies are all effectively certifying to the same Government-driven set of standards.
  • You may be surprised by how comprehensive (and readable) the standards are. For example, for livestock, they have sections on breeding, nutrition, medications, welfare, housing and handling.
  • In some countries (e.g. throughout the European Union), the word ‘organic’, when applied to food labelling, has a legal definition. In Australia, however, there is no such legal restriction and anyone can effectively label their food products ‘organic’.
  • The Oxford English dictionary’s first definition of the word ‘organic’ is “relating to or derived from living matter“. Its second definition is “(of food or farming methods) produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals“. In terms of food, these two definitions effectively represent the opposite ends of a spectrum. According to the first definition, all food is ‘organic’. According to the second definition, there is a subset of food which is ‘organic’, namely food grown without chemical fertilisers, pesticides, etc, as opposed to food which is ‘conventionally grown’.
  • In this context, the word ‘organic’, when applied to food, provides no guarantees of anything meaningful, let alone anything legal. And, that, of course, is why certification is important: certification is a guarantee and the term ‘Certified Organic’ has a single, clear and well-defined meaning.
  • If we knew how a particular farmer grew their fruit and veggies, we might be comfortable eating their produce regardless of their certification. Ditto if we knew what ingredients a particular maker used. Putting this another way, ‘trust’ can be an alternative to ‘certification’.

Read the full article. Any comments would be appreciated – just email me.

Local food producer news

Kings of Kangaroo Ground have just won two gold medals at the The Cairns Show Wine Awards for their medium boded reds: 2015 ‘Avondale’ Shiraz and 2015 Shiraz Cabernet.

Want some free soil/compost?

There are still two wicking beds at Eltham Farmers’ Market that have to be dismantled. So, good homes are being sought for their various components: the soil/compost/manure mix, the pond liner, the scoria, etc. Pick up in situ. If interested, contact Bev Robertson by phone (9439 1421) or email to arrange the logistics.

Want to learn about food as medicine?

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Monash University have put together a free, online, 3 week course on food as medicine starting 17th July. Paraphrasing their material: “At a time when food and nutrition information is at an all-time high, there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about food-based recommendations for wellness. Explore food’s current role in health and disease; expand your understanding of nutrition science and how it guides you on what and how much to eat for health; learn how to apply evidenced-based nutrition knowledge to guide what food can be used as medicine for you and your family. This course will have broad general interest appeal to everyone interested in food, nutrition and health and does not require previous knowledge or experience in science or health studies.” They also have a YouTube channel with lots of relevant videos. Thanks for the heads-up, Dana Thomson!

Donate to help people make safer garden product choices

Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Chuffed.org (campaign ends on 24th July) to help fund the development and maintenance of a web-based database that scores 1,000+ chemicals against 11 criteria relating to their human and environmental impacts. Each product will be rated from 1 to 6 stars and show levels of safety for humans, bees & other insects, fish & birds, persistence in soils, and likelihood of polluting waterways. In addition, it will suggest chemical-free alternatives to gardening problems. The database will help home and professional gardeners make informed choices on how to reduce the use of chemicals that may have negative effects on human health and environmental impacts. Donate.

Picture of the week

Every newsletter has to have at least one good picture, so here is this week’s: veggie train.

Joke of the week

Meg Montague recently spent a weekend away with friends brainstorming herb and vegetable jokes(!). You’ll see the fruits of their labours over the coming weeks. Thanks, Meg!

Why shouldn’t you invite herbs to dinner? No one has got thyme for dills.

And, as a bonus: Why don’t you need to hurry when gathering herbs in the garden? Because you’ve got plenty of thyme.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Composting and improving soils (two-session)

What: Learn how you can produce rich, fertile soils perfect for growing delicious fruit and vegetables. Presenters Jessica Peeler and Jie Fan will share their knowledge. Gardeners of all abilities and levels of experience welcome.
When: Saturday, 24th June and Saturday, 1st July, both 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Brunswick Neighbourhood House.
Cost: $35.
Bookings: by phone (9386 9418) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Indigenous food

What: Join Uncle Ian Hunter as he shares his knowledge of indigenous food found in the City of Whittlesea. Learn how to make soap from native plants or try eating an ant.
When: Friday, 7th July, midday-1pm.
Where: Lalor Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Right to Food Coalition – ‘In Defense of Food’ film night

What: Watch a screening of Micheal Pollan’s In Defense of Food film. After the film, there will be a Q&A with local food gurus, including Dr Seona Candy (Foodprint Melbourne), plus raffle prizes.
When: Thursday, 20th July, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Cinema Nova, Carlton.
Cost: $25 (all proceeds going towards advocacy and awareness-raising efforts by the volunteer not-for-profit organisation the Right to Food Coalition).
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter vegetarian basics

What: Presenter: Julie French. This cooking class is for those people who, for whatever reason, would like to introduce more meat free meals into their diet. Go and find out how to create balanced and delicious vegetarian meals that make the most of seasonal produce, with a focus on winter ingredients. The workshop will be a mix of demonstration and participation, and will include a shared lunch (from the food you prepare together). Notes and recipes will be provided.
When: Saturday, 22nd July, 9.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Montmorency Primary School.
Cost: $85 (includes lunch).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sugar and your health

What: Health Coaches Callie (a registered nurse) and Elise will discuss the different types of sugar, what to watch out for, and tips on how to reduce your sugar intake. The presentation will be followed by a screening of That Sugar Film, where Damon Gameau embarks on an experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body.
When: Monday, 24th July, 1-2pm.
Where: Mill Park Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Growing organic veggies for Spring and Summer

What: Growing your own veggies is rewarding in so many ways. This workshop will teach you what is needed for growing your own veggies at home. Learn organic pest control methods, how to grow from seeds, companion planting and what is in season for Spring and Summer planting.
When: Tuesday, 1st August, 7-9.30pm.
Where: North Ringwood Community House.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The world of truffles

What: Presenter Noel Fitzpatrick. The seminar will cover all aspects of truffle growing, including choosing the right site, soil type, host tree and truffle life-cycle. There will also be a discussion and demonstration of truffle cooking techniques with truffle devotee Susan Burns. The seminar will concludes with afternoon tea and truffle tasting. You may also purchase fresh truffles at a discount on the day.
When: Saturday, 5th August, 3-6pm.
Where: Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne.
Cost: $80.
Bookings: by phone (9035 6815) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

How to make sense of food labels

What: Tour a supermarket and learn how to accurately read and understand food labels and choose healthy foods that are suitable for the whole family. You will also receive a show bag with information sheets and a healthy shopping guide booklet. The tours are led by healthAbility’s qualified dietitian and open to anyone interested in healthy eating.
When: Monday, 7th August, 9.30-11am.
Where: Eltham.
Cost: $15 (includes a healthy shopping guide booklet).
Bookings: healthAbility by phone (9430 9100).
Further information: LFC calender entry.

Launch of the Burnley Fruit Squad

What: The Burnley Fruit Squad will be launched on 13th August along with a workshop on fruit trees and harvesting. The squad will be a group of volunteers who harvest excess fruit from households in Burnley and share with the community. The project is supported by the Richmond Community Learning Centre, Richmond Community Garden Group and the City of Yarra. Its aims are: to reduce food wastage in Burnley; to enable skill sharing between householders and volunteers; and to foster social connections in the community. In the meantime, if you have vines or fruit trees at your home that may need harvesting, or if you would like to learn new skills and help harvest excess fruit, please sign up.
When: Sunday, 13th August, 10am-midday.
Where: Richmond.
Cost: free.
Bookings: rsvp by email.
Further information: LFC calender entry.

Food, family, culture – The Community Grocer

What: The Community Grocer Fitzroy launched in March 2017, joining existing enterprises in Carlton, Fawkner and Mernda. With over 23,000 customers to date, The Community Grocer, aims to improve access for people living on a low-income to fresh, affordable food, running weekly fruit and vegetable markets where everyone is welcome. Laura will introduce The Community Grocer from its background and operations to goals and plans for the future. With food at the very heart of all cultures and taking a central role in shaping and maintaining our cultural identities, she will discuss the important political distinction between ‘food security’ and ‘food sovereignty’ and how it relates to preserving culture through food. Laura will share recipes from customers and serve up a popular Sudanese dish of peanut salad. Bookings essential.
When: Wednesday, 16th August, 6.30-7.30pm.
Where: Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calender entry.

Indian cooking – Punjabi (two sessions)

What: Tutor Taariq Hassan. Learn how to cook a healthy North West Indian vegetarian meal from scratch using authentic ingredients.
When: Monday, 21st August and Monday, 28st August, both 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Hurstbridge Hub.
Cost: $92.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calender entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).

LFC News June 14 2017

Jun 142017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“It’s now time to purchase your bare root / deciduous fruit trees, vines and berries. Garden centres and nurseries seem to be well stocked up. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands.”

A maker of muesli and porridge: Magic Muesli

Magic Muesli, from Fitzroy North, make muesli and porridge. Each ingredient is selected for the important role that it plays in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Oats and psyllium are a good source of dietary fibre. Goji berries contain antioxidants and cranberries contain vitamin C. Ground linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds release the good fatty acids and whole linseeds aid digestion. Walnuts and chia seeds provide essential omega-3. And almonds, pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, sesame seeds and currants add goodness. The muesli is not toasted and contains no added sugar, no syrups, no juice, no added fats, and no preservatives – just raw and natural. You can buy their products online. Read their Local Food Directory entry. Welcome Steve!

A maker of pasta and gnocchi: Take Me Home (Pasta)

Take Me Home, from Coburg, make pastas, gnocchi, pizza bases and pasta sauces. They make everything by hand using traditional techniques and their Italian family’s recipes. They grow as many of their veggies as they can at their farm in Thorpdale (Gippsland) and, apart from that, use local ingredients where possible. You can buy their products at a number of farmers’ markets (Coburg and Fairfield) plus a wide range of shops. Read their Local Food Directory entry. Welcome Felicity!

Darebin Information, Volunteer & Resource Service (DIVRS) are now selling seedlings

Darebin Information Volunteer Resource Service (DIVRS) is a non-profit organisation that offers a variety of resources which aim to protect and support vulnerable members of the Darebin Community. Its Urban Food Program is the practical application of goals in home food growing, community gardening, urban food production and integrated approaches to planning urban food programs. One of DIVRS’ initiatives is the growing and selling of trees and seedlings by volunteers. By purchasing and planting these products, you are supporting DIVRS’ activities to protect and preserve the urban orchard for your community and for future generations and increasing your own food security and those who you share with. Read their Local Food Directory entry.

Another DIVRS’ initative is The Darebin Fruit Squad, which is a group of trained volunteers who harvest excess fruit from households in Darebin. Once collected, these otherwise wasted resources are made available to members of the community who struggle to access fresh, nutritious food.

Local food producer news

A Local Baker St Andrews are now offering a $0.50 discount to customers who bring their own coffee cup (Yarra Coffee have a similar offer at Eltham Farmers’ Market). They are also “looking for a passionate, hard working, baker with a love of wild fermentation and wood-fired baking. Apprentices and novices welcome, so long as you’re ready to learn. Hours are negotiable, part time or full time available. Award wages.” Contact Sachin by phone (0430 535494) or email.

Blue Pear Pantry, from North Warrandyte, ready made meals are now available for purchase at Gourmet Living in Templestowe.

Bomba Wood Fired Pizza, from Eltham, will be at the Winter Solstice Festival at Edendale on Saturday, 17th June.

That’s Amore Cheese, from Thomastown, will be at the Truffle Melbourne Festival at Queen Victoria Market on Saturday, 17th June.

A new shop selling Certified Organic food: Organic Fix in Eltham

Organic Fix is a new food store in Eltham (937 Main Road), where all of its products are Certified Organic. Its product range already includes: a wide range of dry goods (see first picture), some fruit and veg (see second picture), various canned/bottled food, and a variety of non-foods (from beauty products to cleaning supplies). Their signage is great (see third picture). They have a Facebook page. The shop is the brainchild of newsletter reader Lynne-Eva Bottomley. Best of luck Lynne-Eva!
    

Want to get involved in community gardening in Greensborough?

The Garden of Plenty community garden at Diamond Valley Library in Greenborough is a place for all members of the community who want to engage in sustainable living. The library space is open to the public 7 days per week with access through the library. The produce is available to be shared by the community. They are currently seeking assistance in the coordination of a regular weekly working group to develop the space, plant, harvest, mulch, maintain the worm farm, maintain compost, water, weed, seed save, propagate, stake and fertilise. Around 1.5 hours per week. If interested, contact Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.

‘Grow Free’ in the news

In the 12th April newsletter, I briefly discussed the ‘Grow Free’ movement and how it is coming to Melbourne. Well, its founder, Andrew Barker, has just been interviewed for the ABC News website. Thanks for the heads-up, Mario Sist!

Portrait of a garden

Chris Kent has written in to say that you might be interested in watching a film called Portrait of a Garden which is a 100 minute documentary about the owner of a 500-year-old kitchen garden in the Netherlands, and an 85-year-old ‘pruning master’. The film documents their activities for a full year, from winter pruning through to the post-harvest clean-up. As far as I can make out, you can only watch it via iTunes (or AppleTV), for which Chris paid 99c.

Addendum to last week’s discussion about lactose intolerance

Someone has anonymously sent me three bottles of lactase by courier!! If any of you are lactose intolerant but want to drink some milk, just email me and I’ll give you some of the tablets!

Joke of the week

A kid threw a lump of cheddar at me. I thought “that’s not very mature”.

And, as a bonus: I have an addiction to cheddar cheese. It’s only mild though.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Open Cellars of the Artisan Hills

What: On both 17th and 18th of June. Visit any or all of 9 small family-owned wineries in Nillumbik, each with an individual style, where the grapes are hand-picked and hand-crushed by family and friends in the traditional style, with wines developed on site. This is a chance to sample exquisite wines from the artisan wine-makers of the western Yarra Valley, at wineries not always open to the public. You will also find excellent food to complement the wine, as well as live music and artworks from local artists at some venues. There is no entry fee, or tasting fee, at any of the venues. The 9 wineries participating in June 2017 are: Buttermans Track, Hildebrand Ridge Organic Vineyard, Kings of Kangaroo Ground, Massaros, Nillumbik Estate, Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery, Shaws Road Winery, Wedgetail Estate and Yarrambat Estate Vineyard.
When: Saturday, 17th June and Sunday, 18th June, both 11am-5pm.
Where: Various around Nillumbik.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Citrus information session

What: This talk will take place as part of the Warranwood Food Swap. Do you want an abundant citrus crop at home? Whether you are getting started or you want to know how to care for and maintain your fruit trees, Duncan, from Leaf, Root and Fruit, will share his knowledge and research. Lemons, limes, oranges – citrus galore. Optimal growing conditions, fertilising and pruning for optimum yield as well as pest and disease management. If you have a problematic citrus tree, you can bring along a picture or a leaf to help with diagnosis.
When: Sunday, 18th June, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Warranwood Primary School.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Buzz about beekeeping

What: Buzz with Peter the Backyard Honey apiarist: handle beeswax, propolis and bee-keeping tools; watch live honeybees at work in a fully enclosed perspex beehive; and taste pure raw unheated Melbourne multifloral and Victorian varietal honeys.
When: Sunday, 18th June, 11am-2pm.
Where: Bunnings, Nunawading.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Save energy, save money, make friends workshop

What: Are you worried about rising energy costs? Are you interested in saving energy in your home? Do you want to improve the thermal comfort of your home and your health? Are you keen to do your bit for the environment and meet like-minded neighbours? Sustainable Greensborough, a new Transition group in Banyule, will help you gain the practical skills you need to save on energy usage and costs in your home, as well as give you the chance to meet new friends from your local area. If you are in the Greensborough/Watsonia area, they would love to meet you.
When: Thursday, 29th June, 7-9pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Composting for nutrient rich soil

What: Marina Bistrin will talk about cheap and easy ways to make nutrient dense compost and will show you some ways to recycle materials to make compost bins and worm towers, keeping vermin out. She will also look at how to make the compost more nutritious for your plants and therefore, for you.
When: Saturday, 1st July, 11am-midday.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food know how sustainability sessions

What: The average household in Australia throws away $2,000 worth of food every year. That means that one out of five bags of shopping that is purchased is never eaten. Join Gaby and Jen from Plan Buy Cook to learn some simple ways to reduce the food waste and save you time and money. Bookings essential.
When: Tuesday, 11th July, 11am-midday.
Where: North Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fruit tree pruning and maintenance

What: Merrin Layden is a horticulturalist who has spent the past 5 years working at The Orchard Project in London teaching urban fruit tree skills. The skills that you will learn from Merrin will be put to use on the day in the farm’s orchard.
When: Sunday, 23rd July, 10am-3pm.
Where: Bundoora Park Farm.
Cost: $64 (includes entrance to the farm).
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Natural pest control with companion planting

What: What you will learn: learn which plants to grow together, and which ones not to; learn how to solve many common garden problems naturally; and learn how to construct ‘plant guilds’ (groups of plants that grow much better together). Presented by Angelo Eliades. With companion planting, by knowing which plants to grow together and which ones not to, you can grow stronger, healthier and more productive plants, improve soil quality, and reduce pests and diseases in your garden. Learn which companion plants to add to your garden to solve many common garden problems naturally, and find out how to construct ‘plant guilds’ (groups of plants that grow much better together) for more abundant harvests.
When: Saturday, 12th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45 (includes entrance to the farm).
Bookings: / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Grafting and tree sales day (CERES)

What: Learn techniques for grafting or budding fruit trees. Select suitable rootstocks. Have new trees grafted or budded by Heritage Fruits Society members. Buy heritage fruit tree scion wood for home grafting. Buy one-year-old grafted trees. Discuss your fruit tree needs. Their current focus is on apple varieties, so lots of 1-y-o trees and scion from all of their trees. They will also have a few stone fruit trees for sale, and limited stonefruit scion.
When: Saturday, 12th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: CERES.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).

LFC News June 7 2017

Jun 072017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“Spring onions: although it’s probably now too cold now for direct seeding, you can still plant them from punnets. Once soaked in water, you can sometimes tease apart as many as 100 seedlings from a punnet. You can harvest tham in the same way as chives: rather than pulling out the entire plant, just cut off about 1cm above ground level, take your harvest, and watch them re-grow. Similarily, you can plant the bases of your store-bought spring onions as well – leave 1-2cm of base stem with the roots, plant out and keep damp; they will be off and growing again in a matter of weeks. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are warmer than clean hands.”

Editor’s note: different people mean different things by the term ‘spring onion’. Some use the term to refer to varieties of normal onion (Allium cepa) which don’t form substantive bulbs, whilst others use it to refer to any normal onion which is harvested before it forms its bulb, whilst yet others use it to refer to a different, but related, species (Allium fistulosum). As such, they can also be called bunching onions, scallions or Welsh onions.

Here is a poem about spring onions that I came across during my research:

Onions
We’re eatin’ those green onions
Onions
We’re eatin’ those green onions
They go great with grunions
And they’re good for puttin’ on your bunions.

Scallions
Some people call ’em scallions
Scallions
Some people call ’em scallions
They’re the size of medallions
And we’ve got enough to feed three battalions.

A new, local maker of ice cream and smoothies at Eltham Farmers’ Market: Frisky Mylk & Co

Frisky Mylk & Co, from Eltham, are a new start up whose aim is to re-populate your body with a healthy ecosystem through cultured micro-organisms known as probiotics. The base for each of their products – ice cream, smoothies and chia pots – is naturally cultured milk which is 100% lactose-free. All ingredients are carefully selected to help lower the FODMAP levels. They will be at Eltham Farmers’ Market starting 11th June. Welcome Susan!

In passing, you might find the following potted history of lactose intolerance of interest. Lactose (the sugar in milk) requires a particular enzyme (lactase) to digest it. Young mammals normally switch off the gene that produces lactase after they pass the age of weaning. So, adult mammals are usually lactose intolerant and suffer a variety of symptoms if they drink fresh milk. Before they became ‘domesticated’, all human adults were lactose intolerant. Then, a few thousand years ago, some humans developed a mutation in the relevant gene (MCM6) which kept it switched on into adulthood. Where these humans lived in pastoral tribes, they had an advantage over the others and, through natural selection, lactose tolerance became more prevalent. By contrast, where the humans remained hunter-gatherers, those with the mutant gene had no advantage and lactose intolerance remained the norm. So, for example, the Tutsi of Rwanda, the Sindhi of North India, the Tuareg of West Africa, the Beja of Eastern North Africa and the European tribes from which many of us are descended are mostly lactose tolerant, whilst Aborigines, Chinese, Japanese, most Native Americans, Iranians, Turks, the San & Zulus of southern Africa, the Dinkas & Nuers of North Africa, the Yorubas & Igbos of West Africa, and the Masai of East Africa are mostly lactose intolerant. But, you might ask, doesn’t the Masai’s diet include a lot of milk (and blood)? Well, yes, but they curdle their milk before consuming it and, as with cheese, the lactose is largely removed by bacteria.

A maker of sauces new to the Local Food Directory: Juanita’s Kitchen

Juanita’s Kitchen, from Preston, make Mexican and West African sauces. They also make selected beverages (and, as I can personally attest, their hibiscus tea is divine). All of Juanita’s products are vegan, with no preservatives, dairy, gluten or sugar and you can buy them at their shop cum cafe (219 High Street, Preston, 3072), online or at a number of local shops (Casa Iberica Deli, Alphington; Casa Iberica Deli, Fitzroy; Eltham Deli; Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg; and Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew). Welcome Juanita!

Local food producer news

Weeping Grevillea Nursery, from Kangaroo Ground, currently have lots of ‘chef quality’ limes available. Ring them (0417 143874) and they will do deals whilst the limes are at their best over the next couple of months. They also have new season citrus available, with some of the more exotic species including blood limes, ruby grapefruit and Seville oranges.

Yummy Gardens, from St Andrews, have sent in a picture (see right) of a whopping chook run that they have just built for a client.

Stanbach Blueberries are no longer in business.

Want to buy some Australian native foods?

Whilst most of our newsletter readers live in North East Melbourne, some are from further afield. One such is Julie Merlet, who is from Bentleigh. But in some ways, Julie is actually closer to local food than the rest of us because she sells Australian native fruits, herbs and spices. Her company is called NATIF and she sells her products online on her website. The products include davidson plum, desert lime, kakadu plum, aniseed myrtle, bush tomato, lemon myrtle, mountain pepperleaf, pepperberries, peppermint gum, quandong, riberry/lillipilli, rivermint, saltbush, sea parsley, strawberry gum and wattleseed. She keeps some of the dried native foods close to how they are naturally so that people can see, touch and smell them before deciding how to process them, whilst the rest are ground into powders so that they can be used as herbs and spices. Julie is a qualified nutritionist with a passion for where Australian native foods come from and their connection to Indigenous culture. NATIF supports the work of Children’s Ground, and other organisations that are helping Indigenous communities and culture around Australia. If you want to know more, either go to the NATIF website or read Julie’s interview with Fine Food Wholesalers or contact Julie by phone (0418 125349) or email. Thanks for the info, Julie!

Want to get involved in community gardening in Heidelberg West?

There is a community garden in the making at St Pius X, Waterdale Road, Heidelberg West. They are having their ‘garden stage 2 working bee’ on 17th June, starting 1pm. The planned tasks include: build a chicken run; continue clean up; dismantle hot house; and remove fence. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and chat to other members of the local community.

Live in Darebin and want to show your garden to others?

The 2017 Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival festival will be taking place from Saturday, 18th November to Sunday, 26th November. The festival is built on the local home gardeners who not only open their gardens for tours, but also hold workshops on a wide range of topics such as keeping chickens and quails, water efficient gardens, grafting fruit trees and aquaponics. Other volunteers help as a guide or translator for home gardeners and benefit first hand from the wealth of food cultivating skills shared by gardeners from a diversity of cultures. If you are interested in either volunteering or opening your garden during the festival, fill in the online expression of interest. For further information, contact Lee Tozzi by phone (8470 8392) or email.

Proverb of the month

Revenge is a dish best served cold as per the Klingon proverb from Star Trek II, The Wrath of Kahn (1982) (also, Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), The Godfather (1969) and Kill Bill (2003) – where you first heard it all depends on how old you are). Meaning: revenge is more satisfying if enacted when unexpected or long feared.

Joke of the week

What did the cheese say to the mirror? Halloumi

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Love food, hate waste

What: Did you know Victorians waste 25% of the food they buy? That’s $40 worth of food a week, or $2,080 per year. Food waste not only wastes money, it also adds to our carbon footprint. Tanya Lewis will share her tips on: how to declutter and eco-organise your kitchen; how to organise your fridge and pantry to reduce food waste, save time and money; how to stop the takeaway takeover; and recycling favourite recipes. Brought to you by Banyule Council and the Greensborough Chamber of Commerce.
When: Thursday, 15th June, 7-8.30pm.
Where: Montmorency.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9490 4222).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter fruit tree care and grafting with Craig Castree

What: Learn from Craig Castree how to graft more varieties onto your existing fruit trees to increase your picking times and varieties. Also, how the correct fruit tree care over Winter will set up your trees for success and fruit production in the Spring and Summer.
When: Saturday, 1st July, 10.15am-12.15pm.
Where: PepperTree Place, Coburg.
Cost: $15.
Bookings: by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Permablitz 199 (Montmorency)

What: Claire and her family are keen to grow their own food and live more sustainably. She recently did a lot of research into climate change and was quite shocked by what she learned, so she is hoping to start the positive change from her home by reducing the amount of fossil fuels required for the food production needed to feed her family. Tasks for the day: setting up a chicken-run/orchard system; creating a hugelkutlur bed; and making wicking beds. There will also be workshops on each of the above.
When: Saturday, 8th July, 9.30am-4.30pm.
Where: Montmorency.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Permablitz website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Chocolate brownie jar workshop

What: Who doesn’t love chocolate brownie? This workshop will have the kids making their own layered chocolate brownie jar to take home and bake. They will also learn about the cocoa bean and how chocolate is made. The recipe to bake at home is also included. Children of all ages can participate and an adult must stay to help and supervise their child.
When: Wednesday, 12th July, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Rivers of Yarrambat.
Cost: $28.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Towards a zero waste lifestyle

What: Could you fit your annual landfill waste into a jam jar? Believe it or not, some people can. Coinciding with Plastic Free July, you are invited you to go along to a workshop to find out how. Erin Rhoads – aka the Rogue Ginger – will talk about her own journey towards living a zero waste lifestyle. Focussing on practical tips, Erin will discuss where to shop and what to buy to reduce packaging, personal care and green cleaning products. You can also ‘get your hands dirty’ and make some bathroom products to take home.
When: Saturday, 15th July, 2.30-4.30pm.
Where: Surrey Hills.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Organic gardening for beginners (three sessions)

What: Facilitator: Donna Livermore. Want to grow your own healthy vegetables, herbs and fruits but don’t know where to start? Would you like to improve your family’s food security and increase your skills and garden productivity? Part theory and part hands-on, this workshop will help the beginner organic gardener develop the skills and knowledge to start a thriving edible oasis at home.
When: Friday 4th August, Friday 11th August and Friday 18th August, all 10am-2.30pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $115 for the three days.
Bookings: Trybooking.

Mouth watering sweet and savoury preserves

What: What you will learn: how to bottle fruits and vegetables for future use; how to make jams and pickles; and how to select and re-use suitable jars, and how to sterilise them. What you will get: recipes all of the preserves made; small jars of all the preserves prepared on the day; tastings; and Preserving Basics booklet. Presented by Maria Ciavarella. Learn how to preserve fruit and veggies safely, using a variety of techniques. No matter whether you have a produce garden and want to do something with your excess or whether you want to make the most of the seasonal abundance at its freshest, learning how to preserve extends the taste and value of your home-grown produce. No preserving background is assumed as you go through techniques on how to prevent food spoilage using bottling, jam making, pickling and dehydrating. As well, there will be a hands-on component which will include making jam with frozen berries, a Middle-Eastern inspired vegetable pickle, and bottled seasonal fruit.
When: Saturday, 5th August, 9.30am-midday.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Grafting and tree sales day (Petty’s Orchard)

What: Learn techniques for grafting or budding fruit trees. Select suitable rootstocks. Have new trees grafted or budded by Heritage Fruits Society members. Buy heritage fruit tree scion wood for home grafting. Buy one-year-old grafted trees. Discuss your fruit tree needs. Their current focus is on apple varieties, so lots of 1-y-o trees and scion from all of their trees. They will also have a few stone fruit trees for sale, and limited stonefruit scion.
When: Sunday, 6th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Pettys Orchard, Templestowe.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).