Posts Tagged ‘local food’
Melbourne Farmers Markets: August
Posted in Models, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on August 13th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
From the August 2010 Newsletter:
There’s no keeping a lid on it – we’re delighted and proud that Collingwood Children’s Farm Farmers’ Market has been awarded Australia’s Most Outstanding Farmers’ Market in delicious magazine’s 2010 Produce Awards. Seven stallholders were also celebrated; Garlic and More, Warialda Belted Galloway Beef, Angelica Farm, Daylesford Organics, Moondara Blueberries, Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens and (…drumroll) Holy Goat La Luna Cheese, national winner in the “from the dairy” category. We accept the award on behalf of the many 1000’s of people who have endlessly supported us over almost eight years since the inaugural Melbourne Community Farmers’ Market. Seems like a lifetime and boy, what a trip! Thank you all.
Back on earth and winter rolls on. What a great season it’s been for produce; who could complain there’s not enough variety? Citrus has been amazing all season, the humble spud has stepped up in increasing variety and recognition of quality, kiwis have stocked us up on Vitamin C and got us through the winter lurgies, brussel sprouts would get my vote for the underrated veg of the year and, how about this year’s fennel? Fabulous!
So what’s going on with Victoria’s absent produce over winter?
Here’s a snapshot…asparagus beds will have been mown and furious weeding will be taking place on the Westernport flats, garlic shoots will be up and the bulbs will be forming underground in the heavy sodden soils of Central Victoria, broad beans are looking just like seedlings waiting for some warmth to grow and flower in time for harvest in November, orchardists will have just finished the enormous job of pruning every tree before the bud, flower, pollination and fruit setting stages of Spring. It’s way too early for veg growers to be planting tomatoes and Summer stocks so they’ll be weeding and preparing the beds for November. Chooks are back ‘on the lay’ but production is still well down on Spring and Summer. Last, and by no means least, spare a thought for dairy cows calving in paddocks around Victoria.
The reality is, for those of us not directly involved in food production, that whilst many stallholders are not at the markets much hard work still goes on in what seems to be the ‘off season.’
Visit the website for more…
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Orange Drive: Connecting Farming with the Wider Community
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on June 9th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
Nangiloc/Colignan Primary School would like to provide you the opportunity to be involved in the first ever Orange Drive. The school has developed strong links with the Murray Valley Citrus Board and understands the need to promote Australian Citrus, helping to ensure local families remain viable and employed. We will use local fruit, packed at a local packing house and all orders will be processed by the children as part of their enterprise learning program.
Couple this with the promotion of Healthy Eating in Schools Program and the ‘Orange Drive’ is the Healthy Alternative …
What we offer
* Provide 100% Australian Navel Oranges
* 3kg bags @ $5/bag ($1 is your school’s profit)
* Bags are clearly labeled with purchasers name (ease of distribution)
* Advertising material (poster and order forms)
* Offer only available during Australian Navel Season (July – Oct) ensuring only fresh oranges are used.
* Orders must be placed before the 15th day of each month and deliveries will be made by the 30th.
* Order forms posters etc will be posted out, Order them via ph fax or email.
What you need to do
* Decide on which month you wish to conduct your ‘Orange Drive.’ (July, Aug, Sept, Oct).
* Send out order forms (see contact details)
* Collect order forms and payments.
* Collate information (sheet provided)
* Calculate your funds – $1/bag.
* Send cheque to Nangiloc/Colignan P.S. ($4/bag). (Grower receives $2, Packer receives $0.50, Bags/advertising/admin/transport costs $1, Nangiloc/Colignan P.S. receives $0.50
* Once we receive your payment we will process your order and deliver your oranges.
* You will be promoting healthy eating, supporting the Australian Citrus Industry and helping the students at Nangiloc/Colignan P.S. develop their Enterprise Learning Program.
Nangiloc is a small rural community near Mildura and the main industry is Citrus. Many of the 70 pupils have family and friends who live and work on a citrus “block”. Supporting the Orange Drive will not only provide your family with the tastiest oranges, but will also support your local school and have a direct impact on the education / economy of Nangiloc.
Project Partners: Murray Valley Citrus Board, Melbourne Citrus Committee
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Melbourne Farmers’ Markets: June
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on June 9th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
From the June 2010 Newsletter:
It’s official. After all the chilly teasers, winter is finally here and the first frost has abruptly finished the season for cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicums and the other late summer veg that’s spoilt us so long this season. Don’t despair tho; there’s plenty to enjoy during winter under the banner of casserole, soup or ‘one pot wonder’! ‘Tis the season be it blushing quinces, a hearty slab of corned beef or a fragrant vegie curry. Caulis, cabbage, artichokes, leeks, broccoli, onions, kohl rabi, pumpkins, avocadoes, carrots plus apples, pears, last of the berries, nashi, quinces, kiwis, persimmons and a fabulous range of citrus!
Speaking of citrus, Eric Wright who brings the delicious pistachios, blood oranges and orange juice to our markets is also principal at tiny Nangiloc / Colignan Primary School located 50kms south of Mildura. To raise awareness of Victoria’s local citrus industry, and funds for the 70 pupil school, he is launching an “Orange Drive” – a healthy alternative to the traditional lolly / chocolate drive and one which city schools and communities can support directly. Schools and organisations order a 3kg bag of oranges at $5.00 out of which they keep $1 and the remaining $4 returns to Nangiloc to pay the picking, packing, transport etc Call 5029 1483 or email nangiloc.colignan.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au for details.
Visit the website for more…
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The space is ripe-Building a Community Food System in Port Phillip
Posted in Events, Movements by paula on April 19th, 2010
- PPUFFN supporters at the Port Phillip EcoCentre
Port Phillip Urban Fresh Food Network (PPUFFN) is hosting its first public forum for 2010: “The Space is Ripe-Building a Community Food System in Port Phillip”, to be held at the Port Phillip EcoCentre on Tuesday 27 April from 5.30-7.30pm.
The event will incorporate a twilight session of guest speakers, food/garden share and swap opportunities, as well as an inviting supper which is free of charge for all participants.
Join other local residents, community groups and businesses to hear how our guest speakers from City of Port Phillip and Friends of the Earth (FOE) are working to make Port Phillip more edible.
Find out about Council’s latest ideas for developing community gardens and help shape policy by contributing your own. Discover more about the enterprising and food-focused community hub which FOE is creating in South Melbourne and how you can get involved.
After the forum, from 7pm, enjoy an earthly supper prepared in the Eco Centre’s kitchen from both garden fresh and locally donated produce – sustainable eating at its best!
All participants will be invited to delve into the PPUFFN food/garden share and swap table where you’re guaranteed to find a few surprises. Please bring along any surplus produce, seeds, preserves, recipes, etc to share, if you can. And if you can’t, come along anyway!
RSVPs and enquiries to:gardeners@ecocentre.com. Ph: 9525 3102. RSVPs essential for catering purposes.
Melbourne Farmers’ Markets: April
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on April 9th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
From the April newsletter:
Some cool nights and the late Summer late crops such as cucumbers and capsicums are finishing. Time to collect your favourite tomato seeds on paper towel to dry and plant out in Spring! Already we’ve seen plenty of pumpkins, apples, nashi, figs and brassicas splashing around the lovely colours of Autumn. Next it’s the return of citrus, firstly with Doron’s magnificent Mildura mandarins, then John Ganey’s quinces from Horsham and fresh walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts from various growers around the North East. …
Visit the website for more.
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Feral Fruit Trees: Melbourne
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on March 23rd, 2010
Feral fruit trees are fruit trees growing in or overhanging public spaces that are accessible to the urban hunter-gatherer. The Feral Fruit Trees Melbourne website seeks to promote localized [sic] food gathering in cities where food is being obtained from increasingly distant sources. The current system of food delivery into urban centers poses unnecessary strain upon both the economy and the environment due to transportation costs. Feral fruit tree harvesting transforms our current food distribution system into a more sustainable alternative and promotes a consciousness of the ecology within our urban environments. Urban hunter-gatherers can also enjoy the benefit of fresh fruit that is often organic and not to mention free.
Fruit lying outside the boundary of private property for instance on a branch hanging over a fence is considered to be public property and therefore anyone can legally take the fruit. Please don’t take any fruit that is over someone’s fence even if it is in close reach as this is technically stealing. It always pays to just ask the owner, usually they won’t mind no one is really going to eat a whole tree of figs or loquats. Some people may be sensitive about having the fruit from their tree taken even if it is hanging into public space; therefore even though you are within your rights to take the fruit, common courtesy should be employed. eg. Please don’t make some old Greek guy angry by taking fruit when he doesn’t want you to.
Furthermore a few easy guidelines should be followed in order to ensure the sustainability and fair distribution of this precious public resource.
1. Do not be greedy. Take only as much fruit as you need as there may be other fruit pickers in the area who wish to eat the fruit as well.
2. Try not to damage the tree or the area around the tree. It would be wise to use a proper cutting tool to ensure clean cuts that do less damage to the tree. Try not to rip any leaves, branches or trample any plants below. I was told one story about a Mulberry tree that everyone used to plunder, the owner got so sick of people trampling his other plants from eating the berries that he unfortunately ended up cutting down the tree.
Melbourne Farmers’ Markets: March
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on March 9th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
March 2010 Newsletter:
At last a little Autumnal respite from the heat and humidity of the last few months…now some gentle rain but not too much to affect grape ripening and soft fruits in season. Every season has it’s sensitive balances; when one variety needs a particular set of conditions, sure enough the next needs just the opposite.
So make the most of the most prolific time of year while we’re spoilt by it; stone fruit is sensational, berries are in with a vengeance, the quality of early apples is superb and the variety and quantity of tomatoes is staggering! On that note, the Kennedy family from Corop are back with their roma tomatoes for sauce and bottling at just two markets this year – Sat 6 Veg Out & Sat 20 Gasworks.10 kilo boxes are just $12 or $10 for over 5. Call Pat to order on 5484 8293.
Also at Veg Out will be Rippon Lea Estate having a stall with heritage apple tree display and sales. It’s leading up to the Open Day in Elsternwick on 14th March. That’s two weeks before Petty’s Orchard Open Day in Templestowe on the 28th. It may seem surprising that these two orchards are in the inner ‘burbs but not so long ago, before the sea of housing estates gobbled up farmland, there were many more. Melbourne itself, of course, was sensibly sited with easy proximity to the productive land. Makes you question the sense of all that housing sprawl now right on top of it as we have to bring food to the city from further and further afield…
In triumphs of the month, the fabulous Holy Goat Cheese and Gundowring Icecream have done it again at the Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show and walked away with Champion Cheese and Icecream respectiveley. Congrats also to Berry’s Creek (who are joining us from this month at Gasworks) for three gold medal blues and Boosey Creek for a swag of silverware.
The current Newsletter can be downloaded from our website in PDF format.
Melbourne Farmers’ Markets: February
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on February 5th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
February 2010 Newsletter:
Our thoughts this month are will all those who suffered and are still grappling with the aftermath of last Summer. Not only the fires themselves but the extreme conditions of heat this time last year. We know it’s a long slow road to recovery and we’ll stick with you.
‘Tis the season to be bottling, preserving, jamming and pickling while things are plentiful which means buying in bulk. As well as simply sinking your teeth into fabulous peaches, plums and nectarines, they’re perfect right now to stew and freeze or make chutneys and jams. Raspberries, blueberries and Sylvan berries freeze beautifully too and will keep you smiling in winter.
It’s been fantastic to see so much Victorian garlic around this year…have you stocked up yet? A skein or two hanging in a cool spot will last for months…unlike the garlic from both China and Spain I saw in my local supermarket this week, otherwise boasting its Aussie pride! Other happy dark dwellers are the freshly dug onions and new season spuds which keep well in a cupboard. Then there’s zucchini, eggplant, beans and cucumbers for pickling (look up a CWA cook book or Pietro Demaio’s “Preserving the Italian Way” for hints). You’ll also find radishes, Asian greens, lettuces, rocket, kohl rabi, fresh pistachios, field tomatoes, corn, basil, coriander & much more in Summer spoils around the markets now.
The true season of apples starts this month with varieties such as Ginger Gold, Snow, Gravenstein and Jonathan strutting their stuff first. Nashi and pears will follow soon. To immerse yourself more and revel in all things pome fruit get along to the annual Petty’s Orchard Antique Apple Festival in Templestowe (yes, Templestowe) on Sunday 28th March 10am-4pm. You’ll find more info on facebook.
And on matters of modern networking, you can now follow the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association on facebook [http://tinyurl.com/VFMA-FB] & twitter [twitter.com/VicFarmrsMarkts] for interesting food articles, local food issues and events. MCFM needs to catch up with technology and will be along shortly!
The current Newsletter can also be downloaded from our website in PDF format.
Melbourne Farmers’ Markets: January
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on January 13th, 2010
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
January 2010 Newsletter:
Greetings and best wishes for a fabulous year to come.
Here’s a New Year resolution I prepared earlier…get to a farmers’ market every week in 2010 and bring someone new along as often as possible to help spread the word. Easy! No doubt you’ll be heading in some direction across Victoria this summer so check out the Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association website www.vicfarmersmarkets.org.au before you go so you can find the local spoils and make the most of supporting regional Victoria.
January will be overflowing with seasonal colour and flavour so revel in new season raspberries, capsicums, blueberries, beans, tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers, strawberries, potatoes, eggplant, pistachios, garlic, apricots, lettuce, plums and zucchini – what a sensational range we are spoilt by at this time of year.
This month has five Saturdays so note that there are no MCFMs on Saturday 30th but do find another on the VFMA website and get along.
Please give your feedback – this tick is the symbol which celebrates the 250+ accredited stallholders so far and, in 2010, is for markets themselves to apply. We need your help to make sure claims to be a genuine farmer, producer or farmers’ market are just that. If you don’t see this sign on a farmers’ market stall ask the stallholder directly…are you accredited as the grower or maker of what you sell? Let us know your feelings about how we are doing around the State because that’s the key to our integrity and our future. We’re farmers’ markets and proud of it! Cheers and thanks.
Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets: December
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on December 4th, 2009
Source: Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets
December 2009 Newsletter:
What a year it’s been. It’s been very tough for so many and we sincerely thank you for your support. There’s plenty of good cheer now however…the VFMA accreditation launch saw around 200 producers and artisan makers awarded around Victoria. At our markets, thats over 75% so we are well on our way to the 90% required to gain accreditation for the markets themselves. This will be achieved early in 2010 when the few stallholders whose strength is not paperwork, get their application in! Please help us by spreading the word to look for the signs and support authentic markets…
So the summer spoils roll into the markets and are selling fast so put orders in or miss out! The season welcomes cherries, nectarines, peaches, onions, berries, lettuces, and zucchini with new garlic, basil, spuds, beans, peas, and capsicums just around the corner. Not too mention the free range meat & eggs, organic dairy and handmade cheeses. Then there’s also all the fabulous goodies so perfect for the pantry and as gifts; breads, mayonnaise, meringues, wine, nougat, bikkies, beers, juice, Xmas puds, mince pies and cakes, dips, pates, flowers, olive oil, olives, nuts, dried fruit and so much more.