Ferne Edwards, the Sustainable Cities Research Officer (and also the moderator for SustainbleMelbourne.com and SustainableCitiesNet.com!), Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), launched the VEIL Food Map at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table, 28 May.

The VEIL Food Map, http://www.veilmap.sustainablemelbourne.com/, is an online, urban food production map of Melbourne. It’s purpose is to:
• Record the quantity & variety of urban food production present within Melbourne;
• Allow Melbournians to contribute data to this site;
• Form a database for people to use to design new products & services towards greater sustainability within Melbourne;
• Provide evidence that urban food production currently exists within Melbourne in order to foster greater policy support of this industry.

We welcome Melbourne residents to contribute data of local food sites. Please visit the site at http://www.veilmap.sustainablemelbourne.com or alternatively email Ferne at fedwards @unimelb.edu.au.

To view Ferne’s presentation, “Mapping Meals in Metropolis”, (which was cut short by the timer!) see below.

Marika Wagner presented on the topic of the “Food Gardeners Alliance” at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems, held 28 May. Marika has been one of the champions of the “water for food produce” petition that stands to allow water restrictions to be lifted for the elderly and edibles. You can view a story about Marika and this cause from The Age here: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/12/02/1196530480976.html.

Please view the footage of Marika’s presentation below.

Mary Stewart who has 13 years experience working in the wholesale fruit and vegetable industry presented an insightful presentation on the food retail sector titled, “Diversity in fresh food produce”. Please view Mary’s presentation below.

Diversity in Retailing
• Independent fresh produce sector was in decline (lost 60 -70% in 1970’s and 80’s)
• Established Retail Programs 12 years ago
• Business feedback networking, training, marketing, awards etc
• Reversed decline and won back 20% market share
• Now being implemented nationally in various forms

Diversity in Supply
• Economies of scale - fewer crops by larger growers eg investment properties
• Cost of inputs pressure on growers
• Variety of retailers, food service etc crucial to diversity as buy from smaller growers
• Wholesale system important for growers as alternative market

Diversity in Consumption
• Fast food, lack of skills, knowledge, access – per head consumption low
• Range of educational programs started but need to be sustainable
• Seasonal information, range, variety, health benefits and how to use
• Link to retailers, markets, to support diversity, seasonality, local products eg marketfresh.com.au

Andrew Partos was the third 3 minute presenter at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on food. Andrew is a Senior Urban Designer at VicUrban, where VicUrban is the Victorian Government’s sustainable urban development agency committed to delivering prosperous and successful communities in regional and metropolitan Victoria. VicUrban is also very supportive of productive landscapes which well-complemented the proceedings for the evening. Please find footage of Andrew’s presentation, “A new vision for a new community” below.

VicUrban’s Corporate Goals
• Commercial Success
• Community Well-being
• Affordability
• Environmental leadership
• Design Excellence

Gardening Community Broad Benefits
• Physical Health and Lifestyle
• Community Development
• Neighbourhood Identity
• Environment

The Challenge
What steps, measures or initiatives can a developer take to begin to implement a Gardening Communities culture in new urban developments?

Kirsten Larsen is the Eco-Innovation Policy Research Manager at the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL). Her recent work includes the very well researched and structured report: “Secure and Sustainable Food Systems for Victoria“. Click here to see one of the many press releases about this report. Alternatively visit http://www.ecoinnovationlab.com/pages/library.php to download the entire report.

Kirsten’s presentation titled, “Sustainable and Secure Food Systems - The Next Steps” can be viewed below.

Please find below footage of Dr Maarten Stapper’s presentation at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems. Maarten’s presentation was titled; “We eat soil, make soils healthy!”. Dr Maarten Stapper is a farming systems agronomist who works at BioLogic AgFood. Maarten has extensive experience in healthy agriculture having worked in the Netherlands, Canada, USA, Iraq, Syria, and, since 1982, in Australia.

Thanks again to all the marvelous people who attended and participated in the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on the topic of “sustainable food systems” held on the 28 May! It was a jam-packed, interesting and very enjoyable evening with a variety of fascinating speakers with the additional features of musician Dave Newington and the students’ exhibition from the “Meals in Metropolis” class at RMIT University. Thanks also to our filmmaker Ryan Spanger from Dream Engine Digital Film Production for his brilliant capturing of the events AND to the sustainable wine provided by Elgo Estate. And of course, a very big thank you to our sponsors, VicUrban, who also presented at the event. All the video clips of the presentations can now be viewed for FREE online at http://www.sustainablemelbourne.com/category/sustainable-cities-round-table/. Find below the introduction to the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table by Prof Chris Ryan and myself, Ferne Edwards.

As part of the upcoming Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems this Wednesday 28 May, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd has kindly offered a discounted Sustainable Cities Round Tables Wine Tasting pack at the Special Price of $12.95 per bottle! To enjoy sustainable wines that “don’t cost the earth!” follow this link: http://www.clearedge.net.au/ced/SCRT-Elgoestate.html.

Grant Taresch, Director of Elgo Estate Wines, will also be speaking at the upcoming Sustainable Cities Wine Table and we will also be serving their wine at the event. For more information visit www.elgoestate.com.au. See below for details about the Sustainable Cities Round Table, 28 May.

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), SustainableMelbourne.com and VicUrban would like to invite you to:

The Sustainable Cities Round Table - SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
6:30 – 8:30pm including drinks, Wednesday 28 May
Melba Hall, Ground Floor, Conservatorium Building (near Gate 12), Royal Parade, University of Melbourne
RSVP essential to fedwards@unimelb.edu.au or call 8344 9268
Proudly supported by VicUrban

The Sustainable Cities Round Tables showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues. In addition to our 3 minute presentations of people from the public, private and community sectors, we will also be featuring music accompaniment by pianist Dave Newington, an exhibition of RMIT University students’ work on food in cities, and networking and drinks. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems”.

Speakers include:
Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
Kirsten Larsen, VEIL Report: Sustainable and Secure Food Systems
Mary Stewart: Insights into the food retail and wholesale sectors
Marika Wagner, Water for food petition
Ferne Edwards, VEIL: Mapping meals in metropolis
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella: Two Million Meals
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Chris Ryan, VEIL: From Jim’s mowing to Jim’s sowing

RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au

Elgo Estate Map

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), SustainableMelbourne.com and VicUrban would like to invite you to:

The Sustainable Cities Round Table
SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
6:30 – 8:30pm including drinks
Wednesday 28 May
Melba Hall, Ground Floor, Conservatorium Building (near Gate 12), Royal Parade University of Melbourne
RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au or call 8344 9268.
Proudly supported by VicUrban

The Sustainable Cities Round Tables showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues. In addition to our 3 minute presentations of people from the public, private and community sectors, we will also be featuring music accompaniment by pianist Dave Newington, an exhibition of RMIT University students’ work on food in cities, and networking and drinks. To view previous Sustainable Cities Round Tables click here. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems“.

Speakers include:
Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
Kirsten Larsen, VEIL Report: Sustainable and Secure Food Systems
Mary Stewart: Insights into the food retail and wholesale sectors
Marika Wagner, Water for food petition
Ferne Edwards, VEIL: Mapping meals in metropolis
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella: Two Million Meals
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Chris Ryan, VEIL: From Jim’s mowing to Jim’s sowing

RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au by 23 May.

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), SustainableMelbourne.com and VicUrban would like to invite you to:

The Sustainable Cities Round Table - SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
6:30 – 8:30pm including drinks, Wednesday 28 May
Melba Hall, Ground Floor, Conservatorium Building (near Gate 12), Royal Parade, University of Melbourne
RSVPS essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au
Proudly supported by VicUrban

The Sustainable Cities Round Tables showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues. In addition to our “famous” 3 minute presentations of people from the public, private and community sectors, we will also be featuring music accompaniment by pianist Dave Newington, an exhibition of RMIT University students’ work on food in cities and networking and drinks. To view previous Sustainable Cities Round Tables click here. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems“.

Speakers include:
Kirsten Larsen, VEIL Report: Sustainable and Secure Food Systems
Mary Stewart: Insights into the food retail and wholesale sectors
Marika Wagner: Water for food petition
Ferne Edwards, VEIL: Introducing the VEIL food map
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh: Elgo Estate Wines
Chris Ryan, VEIL: Jim’s food ventures in Melbourne 2032

Seats are limited! RSVP to Ferne Edwards at fedwards@unimelb.edu.au by 23 May.