Benalla Local Food Network
A Local Food Network is a group where local food growers, retailers, organisations and community members come together to supply the town with healthy food.
A Benalla Food Security Network has been running since 2012*. It was started to coordinate ways to improve access to healthy foods in Benalla. Due to declining attendance, a review was undertaken in 2017. The group decided to continue as an “Action Group” of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group.
It is envisioned that the Benalla Local Food network will:
The following diagram provides a starting point for development of the group:
It is envisioned that the Benalla Local Food network will:
- Support community led local food activities e.g. sourcing grants, linking to other organisations
- Promote “Farm to Plate”, linking local producers to community and retail e.g. promote Benalla Food Coop, Open Food Network maps
- Advocate for local food (local government, state government, policies etc.)
The following diagram provides a starting point for development of the group:
Benalla Local Food Network Update May 23 2019
The Benalla Local Food Network has been meeting quarterly at the Farmer’s Basket Café in Benalla. We have welcomed some new faces this year who are interested in promoting local food.
Kathryn and Larissa have been working with partner agencies on the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022 which is soon to be released. The plan aims to strengthen the local food system.
We welcomed Serenity Hill at the March general meeting who spoke about the Open Food Network and how other places in Australia are linking local food to local people!
We have also started a “Grow Free” cart inspired by the Grow Free project from South Australia. The cart is where people can swap their home grown fruit, vegetables and seedlings. It has been very popular over summer with plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers and
fresh apples! The cart is located at the Ray Sweeney Centre 45 Coster St Benalla.
If you are interested in being a involved in this group or wish to make any suggestions, contact Kathryn McQualter at Benalla Community Health Centre 0357614500.
Kathryn McQualter
Convenor, Food Security Action Group
Dietician, Ray Sweeney Community Health Centre, Benalla
The Benalla Local Food Network has been meeting quarterly at the Farmer’s Basket Café in Benalla. We have welcomed some new faces this year who are interested in promoting local food.
Kathryn and Larissa have been working with partner agencies on the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022 which is soon to be released. The plan aims to strengthen the local food system.
We welcomed Serenity Hill at the March general meeting who spoke about the Open Food Network and how other places in Australia are linking local food to local people!
We have also started a “Grow Free” cart inspired by the Grow Free project from South Australia. The cart is where people can swap their home grown fruit, vegetables and seedlings. It has been very popular over summer with plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers and
fresh apples! The cart is located at the Ray Sweeney Centre 45 Coster St Benalla.
If you are interested in being a involved in this group or wish to make any suggestions, contact Kathryn McQualter at Benalla Community Health Centre 0357614500.
Kathryn McQualter
Convenor, Food Security Action Group
Dietician, Ray Sweeney Community Health Centre, Benalla
*For more information on the work completed by the Benalla Food Security Network from 2012 to 2017, please visit http://www.benallahealth.org.au/CommunityHealth/HealthPromotion-479/BenallaFoodSecurityNetwork-481/