Jun 032015
 

Readers’ contributions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

mensshedCan you volunteer for cooking classes?

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

Do you have space for two pigs?

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

Sabi discusses food foraging

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

vegFrance passes new law forbidding food waste

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

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

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

New events

Taste, experience and learn about bushfoods

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

How to grow and cook Winter Asian vegetables

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

Carome Homestead Produce Swap, Mernda

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

If you know of any events that could usefully be included in the newsletter and website, email us. If you have a flyer, we can also include that. Just one request: please make sure that the details are in a form that we can copy/paste (i.e. not just a jpg).

Upcoming events from previous LFC News

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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