Local
Harvest Challenge week ... is here!
Sunday
6th to Saturday 12th April
We invite you to join us, this weekend, as the Local
Harvest Challenge begins. We'll be finding resources
nearby, and putting into practice the art of eating
locally, supporting local and organic farmers and businesses,
and discovering the face behind our food.
You can choose your challenge – bite-sized, meal-sized,
or feast sized - and the activities and events you plan
to participate in. Blog your experiences as you make
lifestyle changes both large and small.
Take
the Challenge yourself, or follow participants as
they blog the story of their week and learn better ways
to 'go local'.
A
little about Local Organics
Marcus and Angie run Local
Organics - a box system in Melbourne offering
seasonal organic produce and other locally made and
produced staples. Angie shares their story.
Local Organics started as a CSA collection
point for Rod Mays seasonal Organic boxes. In fact we
were his first Melbourne delivery, back in 2010. It
all started when Marcus and Angie visited the country
and ate food that tasted amazing. They were inspired
to experience the same tastes back in Melbourne. However,
the standard food system values, the look and consistent
availability of food over the taste. Taste and nutrition
is often lost through storage, warehousing and long
distance transportation of food.
They
went seasonal and started collecting great local food
for local eaters, so we could all have access to tasty
fresh produce. The benefits of localising our food systems
are truly incredible, it impacts the wellbeing of the
environment, the eaters and develops a healthy food
culture!
We offer seasonal organic produce and
other locally made and/or produced staples, we have
3 collection hubs and bike and van deliveries, we also
have regular farm visits and food skills workshops..and
we are about to host a choir saturday mornings. The
opportunities are endless fell free to join in the yum!
Local
Organics is passionate about contributing to a fairer
more inclusive world through ethical food systems. We
enjoy growing awareness and community and sharing the
discoveries and foods we find. We especially love minimising
the wastage of good fresh food . Often if an eggplant
has a nose, or a carrot has two legs they will be rejected
by the conventional food system. Around 30% of food
produced is wasted in this way. We accept the natural
shapes and sizes, this makes farmers very happy, educates
and saves money for eaters and minimises pressure on
the food system! Last year when Maurie had too many
eggplants to sell on the fresh market Local Organics
dis a commercial batch of preserved char-grilled eggplants!
They are on sale here. We believe localised foodsystems
have the ability work seasonally and re-engage in food
preserving skills.
Seasonal
eating starts when you can imagine Victoria is your
back garden! When you start to treasure and use its
produce as best you can. When you eat what was available
when it. Amazingly citrus is in season when our bodies
most need their rich vitamin C content! Seasonal eating
re-educates us a and re-connects us with the rhythms
of nature! Find out more about
Local Organic's boxes,
food skills workshops
and farm
visits.
Learn about Food
Box Systems at Local Harvest, find food box options
close
to you.
Get
Networked!
The
Open
Food Network is an online marketplace connecting
local producers with food hubs and consumers. OFN are
running trials with partners in Melbourne and around
Victoria, working towards beta release in Australia
mid-2014. Check
it out!