Highlights from the Moreland Local Food Networking and Autumn Celebration on 4 April.

About 40 residents got together to network and hear local food groups tell interesting and inspiring stories about their local food projects at the Merlynston Progress Hall, Coburg on April 4, 2019.

Here are the highlights as well as copies of the presentations and contact details to find out more about each initiative:

• Claudia and Angela from Open Table talked about the nutritious meals they make from surplus food to hold monthly or fortnightly community lunches in Brunswick, Fawkner, Coburg and Glenroy.

If you would like to volunteer to help at any of the community lunches in your area, please email hello@open-table.org or register at www.open-table.org/volunteers

• Rani, Emma, Jane and Bec from the Upfield Urban Forest described how they have transformed three different sites in the Upfield bike track from barren wastelands to cool, shady, beautiful spaces that improve the commuter experience immeasurably and at the same time reduce the urban heat island effect, store water and carbon and increase food security for local residents.

If you would like more information and to get involved in this fantastic initiative, click on this link

• Jen from Fair Share Fare introduced the exciting and innovative new Community Graft project which is all about preserving our food heritage and supporting food security by preventing the loss of existing food and fruit trees and establishing new urban orchards. In the process, the project will foster the intergenerational and intercultural transfer of food growing knowledge and skills. Free grafting workshops have already been held in March and April this year to create a community of ready ‘grafters’.

To find out more and to get involved, contact jenrae@fairsharefare.com

Links to the presentations from the event are provided below:

Local Food Network Presentation 4 April 2019

The Community Graft Presentation 4 April 2019

Free Composting Workshop!

Brunswick Neighbourhood House Community Garden has upgraded its composting facilities!

To celebrate, Brunswick Neighbourhood House is delivering a FREE composting workshop on Saturday 11th May, as part of our celebrations for Neighbourhood House Week.

This workshop will be delivered by composting enthusiast Anna Sonogan.

In this super exciting workshop you will learn:

• How composting works, including the difference between hot and cold compost
• How to balance your compost with the correct ratios of carbon and nitrogen
• All about the improvements made to the BNH Community Garden composting system
• Handy tips for composting at home

Where: Brunswick Neighbourhood House Community Garden, Rear of 43A De Carle St Brunswick

When: Saturday 11th May, 9:30am-11am

Cost: Free, but please book.

Contact Brunswick Neighbourhood House on 9386 9418 or email info@bnhc.vic.edu.au

www.bnhc.vic.edu.au

Many thanks to 3000 Acres for providing funds to upgrade the BNH Community Garden Composting Facilities!

Melbourne Food Hub Workshops

The Melbourne Food Hub in Alphington invites you to two workshops celebrating making and preserving food

Tomato Passata Workshop:
Join @Melbourne Food Hub on Sunday 24th March for a 4 hour Tomato Passata Making Workshop. The seasons are changing and it’s time to preserve a splash of summer in a bottle for those cold winter months.

Tomato Day has long been a celebration of seasonal eating and bringing our community together. Melbourne Food Hub would like to honour this tradition with you all. Come and learn all there is to know about preserving tomatoes and leave with a skill for life.

In this 4 hour workshop, you will learn how to make a traditional tomato passata - each participant will receive 10kg worth of tomatoes to transform - enjoy a delicious seasonal lunch with local wine and take home your preserved bottles to enjoy over winter. The workshop is the first step in setting up the fully functioning community kitchen. This class is full of all the good things in life: eating, drinking and preserving! The workshop will be facilitated by the vibrant Betty Vassilou who has a presence in the community, teaching for many years at Westgarth primary as well as a being a regular stall holder at weekend Melbourne Farmers Markets.

The workshop will begin during @Alphington Farmers Markets so come early to pick up your local and sustainable groceries direct from our wonderful #Victorian #producers.

Link to Facebook event: https://bit.ly/2UxeTuR
Link to Trybooking event: https://bit.ly/2NYYhJK

Wicking Bed Workshop:
Gardening in a small space? Want to use limited water resources more efficiently? Back by popular demand, join @Melbourne Food Hub and @Very Edible Gardens for a 2 hour workshop learning all there is to know about wicking beds. See productive wicking beds in use on site and learn how to build your own. There will also be a working bee commencing directly afterwards for anyone who would like to stay on.

The workshop is running on Sunday 31st March during the weekly @Alphington Farmers Market so come early or stay late and grab your groceries direct from our #Victorian #producers.

Link to Facebook event: https://bit.ly/2CeBXXW
Link to Trybooking event: https://bit.ly/2Cq9PBB