Welcome to our February newsletter!
We would like to start by acknowledging the D’harawal Season we have just entered, The Time of Burran – Gadalung Marool.
With Summer slowly coming to an end, we are so grateful to look back on everything we’ve gotten up to over these last couple of months. We’ve advocated for resilient local food systems, attended webinars and workshops, shared homegrown produce, and continued to build on our wonderful fair food community here in the Illawarra.
This February we are looking at all the ways in which we can #MinimiseWaste. From donating excess food, sharing it with your local community at a crop swap, pickling, preserving, composting and more!
Read on for:
- Our Fair Food Champion: Lily Zlojutro, active community member & Green Connect Volunteer
- Volunteer opportunities in the Illawarra
- Guide to donating food
- Foodie workshops & local talks
Go gentle, be kind & eat Local!
D’harawal Season
The time of Burran – Gadalung Marool. Hot and dry. (January – March). The blooming of the Weetjellan (Acacia implexa) is an important sign that fires must not be lit unless they are well away from bushland and on sand only.
Click here to read the full story
Fair Food Champion
Lili is an active member of the Wollongong community, volunteering for Green Connect and Woonona community garden. She is actively working towards producing local foods to create a more sustainable food system here in the Illawarra.
Click here to read the full story.
Feeding People, Fighting Waste
Our region is fortunate to have a marvellous food rescue and relief network that collectively rescues a vast amount of food to feed the increasing number of people in need. To support and bolster this critical work, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority has provided us with the opportunity to pilot a Regional Food Donation Coordinator position.
Click here to read the full story
If you have a spare few hours each week or month, consider donating these to one of our region’s fantastic food relief agencies. Many of these agencies are calling for additional volunteer support to keep up with the increasing demand for their service. It is a great way to give back and help transform the lives of others.
Click here for Volunteer Opportunities
We are working together with Sustain, the University of Wollongong, Australia’s Right to Food Coalition, Community Gardens Australia and Young Farmers Connect to develop an election scorecard. This informative resource will rank the major parties based on their policy position regarding sustainable food systems, food security and food waste.
Keep your eyes peeled for the election newsletter
Do you know someone who would be a great #FairFoodChampion to be featured in our next newsletter? Our FFC segment is a great way to recognise and celebrate the amazing champions we have in our community, all working towards a fairer food system.
Click here to nominate our next fair food champion
If you own or work for a business that ends up with substantial leftovers at the end of the day or week, there are numerous ways to make donations in the Illawarra. Donating food is a great way to keep food out of landfill.
Click here for our guide to donating food
Our MINIMISING WASTE Fair Food Field Guide talks about the importance of conscious food consumption and practices that can help you minimise food waste which benefits you and the environment.
The art of preservation is a simple and rewarding craft that allows us to extend the life of the food we buy.
Click here for more.
A great way to minimise food waste is to prepare just the right amount of food, try using a recipe or serving size calculator.
Click here for more.
Looking for alternative ways to dispose of your food waste? Composting is just one of the many sustainable options.
Click here for more.
Leftovers reduce your waste and your spending, learn about what you can do with your leftovers to get the most out of them.
Click here for more.
Want more? Head to the Minimising Waste section of our Fair Food Field Guide to find:
- Waste conscious shopping
- Use the whole thing
- Keep food fresh
- Plan your meals
Our FAIR FOOD EVENTS CALENDAR is filled with exciting opportunities to participate in – from workshops and seminars to markets, community garden days, and more. We’ve listed a few exciting events coming up:
FOODTALKS Illawarra
15th February 2023 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Bulli
Are you interested in the local food system in the Illawarra? Join us at Saltbush Corner to hear from some local speakers about their thoughts on our food system. Meet growers, producers, culture guides, picklers, and more!
Click here for more
Port Kembla Crop Swap
18th February 2023 | 10:00 am -10:45 am | Port Kembla
Crop swaps are great for building community, reducing food waste, and eating better for less. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, out the front of Port Kembla Community Centre at 10 am for a 10:15 am swap.
Click here for more
Workshop: Beginners Backyard Beekeeping
18th February 2023 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Kiama
Ever wanted to learn how to be a beekeeper? Attend this full-day workshop which will cover all the basics you need to get started. This hands-on experience will be running three beginner workshops over the next month, so get in quick!
Click here for more
Home Mushroom Cultivation Course with Milkwood
Open from 20th February 2023 – 17th April 2023 | Online
Join this FREE 8-week online course, your complete pathway to successful home mushroom cultivation.
Click here for more
Nina Cantina: Fairy Meadow Foodie Tour
25th Feb 2023 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Fairy Meadow
Nina Cantina wants to take you on a culinary journey through Fairy Meadow! Meeting for a coffee to start the day and graze our way around Fairy Meadow and discover all it’s delights.
Click here for more
Miso Making Workshop with Manami Henderson
30th April 2023 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Port Kembla
Manami is a local home cook and dietitian and is passionate about sharing her culture through food. In this Masterclass, Manami will be teaching you how to make miso from scratch!
Click here for more
Podcasts
Indigenous food sovereignty and security with Indigenous Dietitian Tracy Hardy
Listen in with Gamilaroi woman and founder of Wattleseed Nutrition, Tracy Hardy. Tracy talks about food insecurity amongst Indigenous communities, traditional food sovereignty, and ways of nourishing our Aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples with supportive nutrition.
Click here to listen 🎧
Pip Magazine: The Happy Farmer
Known as The Happy Farmer, Rod supplies fresh greens to the residents of Alice Springs, and he makes his business viable by turning waste streams into inputs that would otherwise cost money.
Click here to listen 🎧
Reads
Household Food Security Data Consensus Statement
In December the Australian Household Food Security Data Coalition (AHFSDC) launched the Food Security Data Consensus Statement to raise awareness of the need for improved monitoring on Australians facing food insecurity and advocate the use of a consistent tool.
Click here to read on
Transforming Australian Food Systems: Discussion Paper
This Discussion Paper summarises CSIRO’s initial consultation around the opportunities, challenges and actions relating to enabling the transformation of Australian food systems. These findings are not final, and the suggested recommendations proposed for discussion should not be considered final recommendations.
Click here to read on
Proudly hosted and governed by Healthy Cities Illawarra since 2005 We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of D’harawal Country where our organisation is located. We pay our deepest respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. While FFI takes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information contained within this newsletter is correct at the time of issue, we recommend that the individual takes care to confirm details, as events especially are subject to last minute changes, and run at the organiser’s discretion. |
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