Local food-related events
Local Food Q&A
The committee has invited candidates for the upcoming State elections to share with us their views on developing a local food economy and food security. Both Labor and The Greens party will be represented. Also, special news is the Nick Rose, from the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, will also attend and share with us some stories from his recently Churchill Scholarship funded trip to the Americas looking at Urban Agriculture.
Wednesday October 22, 7pm, The Common, cnr Pryor and Commercial Place, Eltham, $20 per head. Enjoy homemade dips and canapes.
Local beekeeping courses
Bob Owen will run beekeeping courses at Edendale on the last Sunday of the next two months. Check the details on his website.
Successful grant recipients for food projects in Banyule
Congratulations to the many hardworking folks in Banyule for developing a variety of projects and for gaining some funding from their local government. The projects include:
- Montmorency’ Big Red, building on last year’ tomato project – increasing diversity and learning more about preserves.
- Watsonia Library’ Community Garden.
- Sustainable Macleod’s Organic Community Garden.
Banyule Gardeners’ Almanac
The new Banyule Gardeners’ Almanac is a great resource for gardeners in Banyule and surrounding areas. It provides gardening tips on soil, growing veggies from seed, dealing with common garden pests, attracting beneficial insects and a lot more. It also has a month by month listing of what to plant, key gardening tips and space to record your own gardening efforts, and is beautifully illustrated by local artist Felicity Gordon.The Almanac came about when a group of gardeners attending the Montmorency Food Swap, began recording what they planted and harvested each month and the key tasks they undertook on a seasonal basis. It’s on sale for $5 at the Eltham Farmers’ Market. Enquiries, call Julie on 0438 115853.
Macleod Organic Community Garden Working Bee
This Saturday, noon to 2pm. Removing rubbish, weeds and pruning trees. Take lunch and tools.
Local shops with local products
Those of you who have been using the Local Food Directory will probably know this, but others of you may be interested in which local shops stock more than one local product. Please let us know of others.
| Name | Number of local brands | Local brands |
| Bolton Street Deli & Liquor | 11 | Caffe Strada; Chocolatier Australia; Healthybake; Hildebrand Grove; Lovegrove Vineyard & Winery; Marisa’ Kitchen; Paleta Artisan Popsicles; Red Box Vineyard & Winery; Under The Pickle Tree; Wedgetail Estate; Yarra Valley Tea Company |
| Little Organic Shop | 7 | Herbs to Home; Hildebrand Grove; Kylie’ Slow Dough; Panton Hill Estate Olives; Quists Coffee; Real Food Catering; The Mushroom Shed |
| Eltham Deli | 4 | Hildebrand Grove; Old Evropa; Under The Pickle Tree; Van Nunen Chocolates |
| Kangaroo Ground General Store | 4 | Kylie’ Slow Dough; Panton Hill Estate Olives; Under The Pickle Tree; Warrandyte Local Honey |
| Nillumbik Cellars | 4 | Kooinda Boutique Brewery; Lovegrove Vineyard & Winery; Panton Hill Estate Olives; Red Box Vineyard & Winery |
| Edes & Bibi – Organic & Fine Foods | 3 | Caffe Strada; Paleta Artisan Popsicles; Under The Pickle Tree |
| IGA Friendly Grocers Hurstbridge | 3 | Lovegrove Vineyard & Winery; Top Hundred Acres; Under The Pickle Tree |
| Zacks Gourmet Meats | 3 | Smoke and Roast; Under The Pickle Tree; Warrandyte Local Honey |
| Nature’ Harvest Hurstbridge | 2 | Hildebrand Grove; Under The Pickle Tree |
Cooking demonstrations at the Eltham Farmers’ Market
any of you watched Michelle from Home Grown Catering cook a vegetable dish last Sunday, mainly from market purchases. What other cooking demonstrations would you like to see?