LFC News July 31

Jul 312024
 

Thanks to the people who have contributed to this week’s newsletter: Ann Stanley, Charlotte Harrison, Gavin Shaw, Judith Chivers, Julia Pecoraro, Melissa Houselander, Nathacha Subero, Robyn Williams and Vanessa Veldman. More than 600(!) people have now contributed to this newsletter since I started recording such things. Yay! See the list.

A few random thoughts from my holiday in the UK

The centrality of the UK pub

Pubs are everywhere in the UK. They are always open. They always sell meals. They are often in striking buildings, both interior and exterior. They often have beautiful gardens where you can eat and/or drink. In short, they are a centre for social life and a major asset to their local communities.

The role of cheese in the diet

The types of cheese available in the UK are similar to those in Australia. But in the UK, cheese is considered to be a major source of protein and is often the main item of a meal. So, for example, the supermarkets not only sell cheese sandwiches but they sell multiple types of cheese sandwich (e.g. cheddar, camembert or red leicester with spring onion, chutney, red onion or cranberry). And, of course, there is the traditional, and arguably iconic, ploughman’s lunch.

How is that different to Australia, you might ask. Well, in Australia it is difficult to buy cheese sandwiches without ham and also for there to be any choice about either the type of cheese or the type of sauce.

Is the difference important, you might also ask. Well, yes, at least for vegetarians. And also for turophiles.

Finally, what are turophiles, you might ask. Google it.

Gooseberry and coriander chutney!

What an interesting combination. They have it. It was really yum. What can’t we have it?

The one year anniversary of North East Food Rescue

Started in July 2023, North East Food Rescue rescues food from supermarkets and other shops and makes it available to the public. At their weekly ‘markets’ at Rosanna Fire Station Community House (232 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna), patrons can fill a bag with rescued goodies for a ‘suggested’ donation of $5 per bag. They have two markets each week, on Tuesdays, 1-1.45pm and on Fridays, 4.30-5pm. Read their Facebook page.

At least some of the organisers are readers of this newsletter.

Entries are now open for the 2024 Eltham Wine Show

The 2024 Eltham WIne Show will be on Sunday, 17th November. The judging of the wines will therefore take place on Saturday, 16th November. Entries are now open and will close on Sunday, 20th October. Download an entry form.

Foodprint: Planning a resilient food system for Victoria

Foodprint Melbourne is a University of Melbourne research project that investigates ways of strengthening the resilience of Melbourne’s food system to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy foods and promote sustainable production and consumption for current and future generations.

Newsletter reader Judith Chivers suggests that you read their latest report, Planning a resilient food system for Victoria.

If you find that report interesting, they have written lots of others.

Some new articles by Angelo

While the cat’s away, the mice will play. So, whilst I was away on holiday, Angelo Eliades published 7(!) food-related articles. In alphabetical order:

Read more of Angelo’s food-related articles.

The Melbourne ‘Local Food Connections’ community radio show

The next show will be on Sunday, 23rd June, 10-10.30am on 3CR (855 AM). Listen by tuning into either the station (855 AM) or its livestream.

Podcasts of all previous episodes are available on their website. Those from the time that I was away:

Mitcham Community Meal – June and July

Mitcham Community Meal provides a free community dinner every Sunday evening, where each meal is cooked by a different local community group. During June and July, the cooking teams were 5th Vermont Girl Guides, Costas Constructions, Grace Church of Christ, Lions Club of Nunawading, Mel Wolsey & family, Mitcham Baptist Youth, Rangeview Primary School, Team LDS and Tulsi’s Crew (see photo right). Look at some photos of these teams, plus those of previous teams.

How many seed packets in 6 months?

As you probably know, seed libraries are a bit of a thing at the moment, with around 20 in North East Melbourne (see our map). The idea is that you take some seeds and, at some time in the future, return some of the saved seeds from the plants that you have grown.

The Bundoora Park seed library has now been open for around 6 months. During that time, how many seed packets do you think have been taken from there?

The answer is around 1,400, which seems quite a lot to me. Well done to Rosie and Tarra (see photo right), who ensure that the library is always well stocked.

Frost damage on some of your plants?

As Chloe Thomson (aka Bean There Dug That) recently posted on her Facebook page: ““If you’ve got frost damaged plants – as tempting as it is – immediately removing the frost damaged foliage isn’t always the best approach! Leaving the damaged foliage can actually protect the undamaged pieces below.”

What veggie seeds to plant in August

Here is a list (see the planting guide for more detail):

Leafy greens

Lettuce
Mizuna
Mustard greens  
Rocket

Alliums

Leeks
Onion
Spring onions  

Warm season veggies  

Capsicum
Chilli
Eggplant
Tomato

Other

Asparagus
Beetroot
Coriander
Globe artichoke
Parsnip
Potato
Radish

As Spring begins to beckon, the list begins to grow. Note that the warm season veggies can only be planted in August if under cover in seed trays.

b33e661f-c100-4ebe-9ffa-847952e0da4e.jpgJoke (or pun) of the week

Submitted by Stephen Wright: I went to a fancy French restaurant called ‘Deja Vu’. The headwaiter said, “Don’t I know you?”

Read more food-related jokes on our website.

 

Regular activities over the coming week

Farmers’ and other food markets
Food swaps
Community gardens

Upcoming face-to-face events – not cooking

Urban food gardening group (8 sessions); on Thursdays, starting 1st August, 12.30-4.30pm; $112 ($4 per hour); Coburg.

The weekly sessions actually started on Thursday, 18th July but you can join any time. Learn the foundations of growing plants by working in a fun and relaxed environment. Organised by Reynard Street Neighbourhood House.

Fruit tree pruning and care; Saturday, 3rd August, 10.30am-12.30pm; $10; Kinglake.

Learn how to prune and care for your fruit trees. Presenter: Kathleen Tants. Organised by Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

Beekeeping at home; Saturday, 3rd August, 10.30-11am; free; Bayswater North.

Learn the essentials of setting up your own hive and gain practical tips on managing a healthy hive. Presenter: Claire. The workshop will take place at the same time and place as the Bayswater North Food Swap.

Winter pruning workshop; Saturday, 3rd August, 11am-midday; $25 ($25 per hour); Coburg.

Learn the essential techniques of winter pruning, including: how prune your fruit trees; how to prepare your garden for the upcoming growing season; and how to maintain your tools. You will leave this workshop knowing: the essential care for pruning tools; understanding tree structure and growth patterns; the importance and benefits of winter pruning; pruning techniques for various fruit trees (e.g. apples, pears, stone fruits); how to address common pruning challenges; and techniques for rejuvenation and shaping. Presenter: Angelo Eliades from Deep Green Permaculture. Organised by Reynard Street Neighbourhood House.

Urban food gardening (7 sessions); on Wednesdays, starting 7th August, 9.30am-1.30pm; $50 ($2 per hour); Brunswick.

The weekly sessions actually started on Wednesday, 17th July but you can join any time. The course will cover such topics as: growing in pots, raised beds, wicking beds and no-dig gardens; site analysis and design considerations; re-generating soil health and fertility; seasonal planning and crop rotation; companion planting and beneficial insects; upcycling waste through composting and worm farms; propagating plants from seed and cuttings; saving seed; and natural pest and weed management. Presenter: Laurel Coad. Organised by Brunswick Neighbourhood House.

Growing food in small spaces; Saturday, 10th August, 11am-midday; $25 ($13 per hour)); Coburg.

Learn how to maximize your growing area and produce fresh, healthy food right at home. You will cover: benefits of growing your own food; the challenges and solutions for small space gardening; choosing the right containers for different plants; soil mixes and drainage considerations; vertical gardening (e.g. trellises, wall planters); selecting plants suitable for vertical growth; and companion planting and succession planting. Organised by Reynard Street Neighbourhood House.

Climate resilient gardening forum; Wednesday, 14th August, 1.30-5.15pm; $95 ($25 per hour); Doncaster.

Hosted by Dr Greg Moore, this forum is an opportunity to consider the effects that climate change will have on our gardens and gardening practices. There will be three speakers: landscape designer Emmaline Bowman will talk about designing for people, plants and wildlife; soil expert Declan McDonald will take about starting resilience in the soil; and Assoc. Professor Claire Farrell will talk about low input woody meadows. Organised by Sustainable Gardening Australia.

Ceramic sushi platter; Sunday, 18th August, 10am-midday; $65 ($33 per hour); Box Hill.

Learn how to make your own sushi platter using slab and joining techniques. All materials included.

Local producers night – wine and gin tasting; Thursday, 22nd August, 6-8pm; free; Mernda.

You are invited to an evening of wine and gin tasting with Five Vineyard and HM Gin. Learn their stories and taste their ranges. Five Vineyard’s restaurant, The Wine Bar, will also have $12 cocktails and gin-inspired dishes on their menu. Walk ins are welcome for the tastings and drinks but, if you wish to dine in The Wine Bar, book a table.

Spring/summer planting workshop; Friday, 30th August, 12.30-3pm; $30 ($12 per hour); Panton Hill.

Learn how to prepare your garden for Spring and Summer, including: seasonal planning; what to plant and when; soil preparation; sowing seeds in pots and potting up; and planting out and caring for seedlings. Organised by Living & Learning Nillumbik.

Urban craft beer crawl; Saturday, 31st August, midday-4pm; $55-75; Brunswick.

This is a self-guided craft beer crawl, where you choose the order in which you visit the various venues. The $55 ticket includes a $10 voucher, 8 225ml beer vouchers and a mug. The $75 ticket also includes a beanie. The participating venues: Bar Spontana, Co-Conspirator’s Brewing Co, Hotel Railway, Inner North Brewing Co., Retreat Hotel, The Brunswick Green, The Cornish Arms Hotel and Welcome to Brunswick.

Garlic bread festival; Saturday, 31st August, 12.30-8pm; free; Thornbury.

They are bringing together the city’s best food trucks and vendors to serve up their unique takes on garlic bread. Organised by Welcome To Thornbury.

Introduction to spring/summer veggie gardening; Saturday, 7th September, 10am-12.30am; $20; Edendale.

Gain knowledge about: seasonal planning and growing area considerations; soil preparation for pots and garden beds; growing mediums, for sowing seeds and potting up; growing options, in punnets/pots or direct sow in the garden; planting out and caring for seedlings; and hands-on sow seeds to grow on at home. Presenter: Melissa Houselander from Hortopia Landscapes.

Spring veggie gardening; Saturday, 7th September, 10.30-12.30am; $25 ($13 per hour); Kinglake.

Learn what to do with the land you have, how to best prepare the area & the soil and what to plant & how. Organised by Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

Propagate your own plants; Saturday, 14th September, 11am-1pm; $25 ($13 per hour); CERES.

Learn the fundamental techniques of propagation, including: different propagation methods; propagation tools and materials; seed propagation; cuttings propagation; division and layering; and caring for newly propagated plants. Organised by Reynard Street Neighbourhood House.

Richmond urban agriculture walk; Monday, 16th September, 3-4.30pm; free; Richmond.

Discover the local community gardens and neighbourhood houses while learning creative ways of growing food to save money, meet new people, and connect with nature. Organised jointly by Yarra Libraries and My Smart Garden.

In August
In September
Regular events

Upcoming face-to-face events – cooking

Organic dumplings masterclass; Saturday, 3rd August, 10am-midday; $136 ($68 per hour); Lower Templestowe.

Learn how to make these Chinese delicacies using all organic ingredients and then enjoy your dumpling feast. Take an apron. Organised by Living And Learning @ Ajani.

Yes chef! Cooking school for ages 7-13 (4 sessions); on Mondays, starting 5th August, 4-5.30pm; $192 ($32 per hour); Coburg.

Each week will focus on different aspects of running a kitchen, like mise en place (French for “put in place”), safety and food hygiene, playing to our strengths (and the strengths of our team), how to work in a brigade, food storage, flavour profiles & ingredients and cleaning up. You will prep and cook a different meal each week, including lasagna, pie, cake and a roast dinner. Presenter: Cook Murph from Suntop Plaza. Organised by NECCHi.

Sourdough workshop; Saturday, 10th August, 10am-1pm; $60 ($20 per hour); Bayswater North.

You will learn: the essential ingredients and tools; the equipment needed to produce a sourdough; what kind of flour to use; the principal steps of bread making; what bread dough looks and feels like at its various stages of preparation and development; the processes of sourdough fermentation, mixing, kneading, folding and baking; Baker’s percentage and hydration; shaping loaves into a proofing basket, scoring and ways how to bake sourdough bread using a home oven; maintaining a starter and starter care; and ways how to create and look after your own sourdough starter culture. You will take home: a piece of dough ready to be baked at home; a fresh sourdough starter and dry back up sourdough starter; flour to feed your starter; and a bowl cover. What to take: a bowl, tea towel, apron and good mood. Organised by Arrabri Community House.

Cupcake decorating workshop; Sunday, 11th August, 1-4pm; $100 ($33 per hour); Bayswater North.

Make your own decorated cupcakes starting from plain pre-baked cupcakes. Master the art of piping delicate buttercream rose or sunflowers. You will create, and take home, a whimsical pot brimming with 7 adorned cupcakes. Presenter: Maria from Enchanted Pots. Organised by Arrabri Community House.

Sri Lankan cooking class; Tuesday, 13th August, 11am-1.30pm; $90 ($36 per hour); Surrey Hills.

Experience the tastes, smells and sounds of Sri Lankan cooking. You will learn how to make a chicken curry dish, dhal with spinach, brinjal moju (eggplant) and Sri Lankan special yellow rice. Afterwards, you will sit down and enjoy a Sri Lankan feast. Organised by Balwyn Community Centre.

Empanada master class; Tuesday, 13th August, 6-8pm; $38 ($19 per hour); Brunswick East.

Explore the culinary traditions of Venezuela and Colombia. Make four different types of empanadas, including vegan options. From crafting the dough to preparing a variety of fillings and whipping up salsas, you’ll gain a comprehensive empanada-making experience. At the end, eat everything that you created together with a complimentary beverage. Presenters: Jose and Andrea.

Okonomi yaki with Chika’s Japanese Home Cooking; Friday, 16th August, 11am-12.30pm; $50 ($34 per hour); Coburg.

Learn how to make Osaka-style Japanese savoury pancakes (okonomi yaki). Presenter: Chika from Chika’s Japanese Home Cooking Class. Organised by NECCHi.

No waste cooking demo; Friday, 23rd August, 11am-1pm; free; Bayswater North.

Join them for an educational cooking experience that focuses on simple ways to reduce household food waste. Be inspired to get creative with vegetable scraps, odds and ends and excess seasonal produce, as well as picking up some money-saving tips and tricks. Presenter: Open Table.

Greek cooking; Saturday, 24th August, 10.30am-1pm; $65 ($26 per hour); Bayswater North.

You will make Greek chicken and lemon rice plus baklava. You will enjoy some taste testing and should have some extra to take home too. Take an apron, knife, chopping board and a container to take home leftovers. Presenter: Oddie. Organised by Arrabri Community House.

Vegetarian cooking; Sunday, 25th August, 11am-1pm; $25 ($13 per hour); Forest Hill.

Learn, share and savour the flavours of plant-based cooking. From quick and easy weekday meals to dinner party dishes, their chefs will guide you through a variety of recipes. Organised by Strathdon House.

Small mixed detail bouquet cupcake decorating workshop; Sunday, 25th August, 11am-4pm; $380 ($76 per hour); Bayswater North.

Master the art of piping delicate buttercream roses to create your own small mixed detail bouquet. Presenter: Maria from Enchanted Pots. Organised by Arrabri Community House.

Celebration cakes; Saturday, 31st August, 10-1pm; $70 ($23 per hour); Kinglake.

Learn not only how to make a celebration cake but also about its history. Take an apron and cake container to take your cake home. Presenter: Georgina Beausang. Organised by Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

Vegetable fermentation workshop; Saturday, 31st August, 10am-1pm; $65 ($22 per hour); Bayswater North.

You will make your own sauerkraut and brine ferment plus you will taste many other fermented products. You will learn: the basics of gut health; the gut microbiome; the role of probiotics and fermentation in gut health; health benefits of fermentation; what fermentation actually is; what the different types of fermentation are; how to make your own ferments using different techniques; fermentation rules; what vegetables to use; brining methods and what roles salt and temperature play; cleanliness; and what equipment to use. You will take home the ferments that you make. Take two jars and an apron. Organised by Arrabri Community House.

Cake decorating workshop; Saturday, 7th September, 2-5pm; $137 ($46 per hour); Lower Templestowe.

Learn how to make different decorations, from piping to chocolate rolls. Organised by Living And Learning @ Ajani.

In August
In September
Regular classes