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.

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