Hello readers. How is your garden going during this very hot weather of the new year? I hope you have managed to save some produce to eat! The picture shows some of the beautifully created hazelnut kernels from my bush. Alas, there was no nut inside any of the kernels!
Local food-related events
Food Swaps
BAAG and Macleod Swaps are usually on the third weekend of the month. At BAAG, Angelo Eliades will also join them again with his insights in surviving the heat.
Eltham Farmers’ Market is on its way
As you probably know, Local Food Connect is planning to open a farmers’ market in Eltham, starting Autumn 2014. The market will be at Eltham Mall and will be held fortnightly, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. This note brings you up to date with the latest developments.
Establishing a farmers’ market costs quite a lot of money. Accordingly, we have submitted a grant application to the farmers’ market programme of the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). DPCD’s rules require that their funding is matched by other funding on a 1:1 basis. Whilst we are seeking funds from various local sources, these are unlikely to reach the matched funding amount. We have therefore decided to try and raise some crowdfunding(!). Go to www.pozible.com/project/176787 to see our entry and to make a donation. To meet our matched funding requirement, we really do need people to donate and we would be very appreciative if you can find your way to so doing.
On the operations front, we have been talking to people to run the market on our behalf and will soon begin talking to local producers who might be interested in being stallholders. If you are interested in being a stallholder, or know someone who might be interested, send an email to Chris Chapple (chrisrchapple@gmail.com).
On the looks front, we want the location to look as good as possible. As well as umbrellas, chairs, etc, we are thinking of painting (e.g. some murals) and veggie growing (e.g. some wicking beds) and we have recently begun meeting people who know about such things. If you have any ideas or suggestions about how to make the site more attractive, please send an email to Guy Palmer (guy.palmer1@gmail.com).
Finally, we want to organise various food-related events and activities to run alongside the market. If there are any activities that you might be interested in participating in, or more generally if you are potentially interested in helping out with the market, please send an email to either Chris or Guy.
Pickling workshop
See details for this workshop at Rivers of Yarrambat on February 1, after the produce exchange (or foodswap), at www.riversofyarrambat.com.
Cooks required
There is a need for cooking workshops and demonstrations in our area. Are you a confident cook who would be interested to become involved in a project? If so, please contact Robyn at info@localfoodconnect.org.au.
Other food activities/information
International Year of…
The 2014 International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) aims to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.
Simply Tomatoes
Recently I was reading the Environment Report referred to in our last LFC News for 2013. Following a couple of links, I came to a Victorian grower selling green tomato products. Read Simply Tomato’s story or order some of their delicious sounding products here.