Opinion: Could we – should we grow more food in our towns?
Bernice Shepherd. In the Adelaide Parklands, the annual gathering of Greek and Italian locals spreading blankets and bashing olive trees is quite the spectacle. Olive trees proliferate around that city and no self-respecting ex-European would dream of letting that bounty go to waste ... In Casino, we have the Junbung Walkway bush tucker trail ... But could we go further?
Visit: Revamped decor will make pub and village a destination
Lisa Stewart stood on the burnt ground among the charred trees at Rappville and looked across the railway line to the grand 1911 hotel. She was drawn to buy it, she said, although at the time she didn’t know why the pull was so strong. That was 18 months ago and with partner Colin Foyster, they have transformed the pub.
Native foods business blossoming in the Mallee
The Victoria Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Belar Nursery and Bioculture Resources Centre to announce the Labor Government’s $2 million Djakitjuk Djanga Program in partnership with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations ... The Djakitjuk Djanga Program has supported 13 Aboriginal native plant businesses to overcome key resource-related barriers towards the commercial production of native foods and botanicals.
Guiding Aboriginal bushfood businesses to success
Two new guides, 'Setting up for success: Bushfoods' and 'Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses', highlight the risks and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, as well as promoting best practices for industry.
Supermarket forging ahead
Narrandera’s second supermarket, IGA Narrandera +Liquor opened for business in August with a minimum of fanfare due to Covid-related restrictions but they are now forging ahead with plans to expand services and products ... “The town will see a white delivery van with IGA logo on the streets of Narrandera soon ... We also aim to go live with our online shopping portal ..." : Harry Ajwani.
Council waives permit fees for outdoor dining
Bass Coast Shire Council will waive permit fees for hundreds of hospitality venues to encourage more outdoor dining to help the region bounce back from pandemic lockdowns.
Taste test: Fake bacon taste ‘like an egg carton’ The Project film in Beef Capital
What better place to taste test fake meat than in the Beef Capital of Casino? Dale Paget and Pete Rogers were filming a segment for Channel 10’s The Project to be screened on television. “We wanted to see what people on the front line of the meat industry thought,” Dale said.
Birtinya-based business wins at Qld export awards
From their headquarters at Birtinya, Kilcoy Global Foods manages the production, distribution, and export of eight million cartons of premium beef annually to more than 35 global markets. KGF is also a major supplier to Australian supermarkets, food wholesalers, fine dining establishments and family restaurants including McDonalds.
Calls for more emergency food relief in Barossa
The Barossa Food Security Network is calling on the community to support the emergency food relief initiative by becoming a supplier or distributor of cooked meals. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange says the network is currently distributing around 85 meals a week to people experiencing hardship, and demand is increasing.
Soup made to share
Serena Kirby. Dozens of locals have been lining up on Tuesdays to enjoy a bowl of soup as the new local Soupy gets up and running. This weekly community get together is the brainchild of Lindsey Sesin who came up with the idea as a way of using the excess produce she sometimes has from her Denmark Home Grown business.
Farmers remind the UN: trade key to sustainable food systems
Ahead of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), Cairns Group Farm Leaders from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Guatemala, New Zealand, Paraguay, South Africa, and Uruguay has urged that the role of international trade be recognised at the Summit. The NFF is a member of the Group.
Food, glorious food, at new community pantry
Roz Knights is so excited she can’t keep stop smiling as an old aviation building on Bloore St is being transformed into the new Kyogle Community Food Pantry ... "This is my way – through the Lions Club and my Christian beliefs – to give back to people,” Roz said. “In the past I’ve been helped by so many people.” For a moment, Roz’s eyes fill with tears and then she smiles again as she looks up at the grey building and gushes about the local philanthropist who offered the site at a “phenomenally low rent”, she said.
Food security in Western NSW
National Indigenous Radio Service. The shadow minister for Indigenous Australians says the federal government is ill-equipped to deal with the level of food insecurity in COVID hit First Nations communities.
Mobile Foodbank to visit Yanchep on a weekly basis
Uniting WA chief executive officer Amanda Hunt said a significant number of people in Yanchep and surrounding areas were living under food stress. “With the government’s Covid support removed, pressure on working families has never been greater, ‘’ she said.
Local producers taste Food Forum success
Eliza Berlage and Gabrielle Duykers. More than 30 local producers gathered together last week for the inaugural Limestone Coast Food Forum. Hosted by the Limestone Coast Food and Agribusiness Cluster, food processors, and retailers met at Lucindale Country Club to hear from 16 guest speakers about opportunities in the local food and beverage industry.
Business investing into business
Ali Bohn. Each week we are profiling local business owners who have made the decision to invest back into their business during a time when making any such financial decisions may seem very risky. With investments big or small, from undertaking a major renovation to adding a fresh coat of paint, these business owners are doing their bit to improve their productivity, services and availability so that our towns will continue to be the place locals love to call home and for tourists to refer to as their second home.
Farmers concerned about anti-meat UN talkfest
The National Farmers' Federation is seeing red at the United Nations Food Systems Summit and has urged the Government to do its best to stop uninformed and alarmist outcomes being supported. The NFF, on behalf of Australia’s livestock sector is working closely with the Global Meat Alliance, the Global Dairy Platform and other nations, who share our concerns, in responding to the UNFSS.
Margaret River’s new toasty fireside experience
You've heard of toasting marshmallows over the fire, but have you tried nougat? Bettenay’s in Margaret River has launched a new winter experience, Toasty Tastings by the Fire that includes a guided tasting of four estate wines, a nougat-inspired liqueur and toasting French-style nougat over an open fire.
Five ways to use black truffle at home
Life is short, so eat truffles. If you're currently in lockdown or as free as a bird, you can enjoy freshly harvested black truffles in the comfort of your own home. Located in the heart of Australian truffle country in Manjimup in Western Australia's south west, Australian Truffle Traders ships nuggets of 'black gold' to some of the world's best restaurants, and you can enjoy them too.
Senate inquiry into faux meat labelling commended by farmers
The National Farmers’ Federation has commended the establishment this week of a Commonwealth Senate Inquiry into the labelling of alternative protein products. "We congratulate Senator Susan McDonald on initiating this important and logical process," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said. "The actions of some manufacturers in continuing to incorrectly label for example, faux meat products as ‘bacon’ featuring a pig or ‘chicken not chicken, is not only potentially misleading to consumers it is an insult to farmers and the extended meat supply chain.
Food artisan back on the winner’s list
Geoff Helisma. Multi award-winning, Yamba fine food manufacturer Peter Nicholson hasn’t entered his creations in shows around Australia for about four years – but that changed recently when his Spiced Beetroot Finishing Vinegar took out the champion trophy at the recent Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards ... "What food would I put it on?" "Vanilla bean ice cream, and I implore you to try it."
Lyttle Eat Street food precinct launches global street food
Bendigo’s newest food precinct, Lyttle Eat Street, has been launched on the footpaths at Lyttleton Terrace in the city centre to celebrate and indulge in delicious global street food. Fourteen local businesses from Lyttleton Terrace have joined forces to create Lyttle Eat Street, an initiative to create a new ‘street food vibe and neighbourhood’ in the city centre. It is the first in a winter-long series, Slow Smoking Saturdays, to entice more people to visit the area on weekends to enjoy unique dishes and drinks.
