This December, we will, for the first time, have the opportunity to learn directly from the leaders of the organisation responsible for the implementation of the Vermont Farm to Plate plan—by many accounts one of the most comprehensive and long-term food and farming system programs of its kind. Across three weekly webinars, Director Jake Claro and Network Manager Sarah Danly will discuss how the decade-old program has successfully increased employment, business creation and food security through collaborative, whole-of-system actions and networking, aligned to a shared agenda of a better food and farming system for Vermont.
Register for the webinars here.  The first webinar is free.
Brought to you by SUSTAIN, the Australian Food Network.  Download Media Release.
Click the image below to download the flyer.

The next meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network will be held online on Wednesday September 16th from 4pm until 5pm.  Join the meeting from your computer by clicking on this link,  https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/benallahealth/room/team-meeting.

Download the Flyer.

Designing projects to boost the regional food economy in North-East Victoria

The Open Food Network's Farmers & Eaters NE Victoria Project involves bringing together local food producers, distributors and eaters to develop projects to activate short and direct supply chains to boost viability for farmers and resilience of the regional food economy. 

It will build on existing regional strengths and projects, and collaborate to ensure efforts align with existing initiatives and strategies. 

Due to COVID, d the plan for delivery of this project has been rejigged!  

Have a project idea or want to learn more? – Webinar 17 June 6.30-8.30 pm
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• How are farmers in the North East planning for converging pressures and future uncertainty (COVID impact on commodities; climate; input supply disruption; land costs; compliance;)?
• How can we better show the public value generated by good practice (e.g regenerating soil) and build support among eaters and others to pay for it?
• What are the opportunities in short and direct supply chains? What models are out there? What are the barriers?
• How might we build on local strengths and energy to generate ideas or generate support around existing ideas for practical action?

​Short and Direct Food Supply Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for Farmers in North East Victoria

Webinar: 17 June, 6.30-8.30pm.  

Register at eventbrite:  https://bit.ly/ofn-ne-event

Background paper: https://bit.ly/ofn-ne-backgrounder

Submit a project idea:  The aim of the project is to develop actionable projects to help more North East Vic farmers get more of the retail dollar for their food!  Following the webinar, we will select project ideas for support from July 2020.  There is more information and a form at the end of the Background Paper.

Questions? serenity@openfoodnetwork.org.au or 0411878063 

Serenity Hill
Community facilitation | Sector development 
Open Food Network Australia
0411878063
 
www.openfoodnetwork.org.au
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Long term Benalla Local Food Network Action Group members Kathryn McQualter, Peter Maddock and Callum Morrison shared lots of news and discussed many ideas relating to local food networks at their meeting on September 4th.  

Kathryn reported on the launch of the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022. It is available at  http://beechworthhealthservice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/NE-Local-Food-Strategy_2018_2022_Final.pdf 

Kathryn was very positive about both the process involved in creating the report and the final product and highlighted its great potential as a resource for community members and groups applying for funding to introduce or expand innovative local food strategies in the North East.

Next meeting Kathryn will report back on a meeting she is attending at Gateway Health on September 17th with Serenity Hill from Open Food Network. Serenity has funding through the Open Food Network to host an event in Wangaratta before July 2020 to ‘connect food producers and eaters, strengthen networks that help connect producers with consumers.’ Other BSFG members are welcome to attend.

Other topics discussed included Kathryn's bountiful garden beds at Benalla Health and the continuing popularity of the Grow Free cart where people can swap their home grown fruit, vegetables and seedlings. The cart is located at the Ray Sweeney Centre 45 Coster St Benalla.  The innovative and highly valued 'wicking bed' project was also discussed - Kathryn mentioned that it will soon be time for the annual sharing of seeds and celebration of the wicking garden project at Waminda,

Kathryn is a member of the Benalla Health and Wellbeing group.  Kathryn is concerned to ensure that the role a healthy diet,  fresh foods and  the activity of gardening can have on both physical and mental health, is incorporated in their discussions.

Local good news stories were shared.  Kathryn shared information about Good Vibes Wholefoods Benalla's 'Fruit and Veggie Box'.  The box, which costs $35, will contain seasonal fresh produce every week.  The list will be posted on Facebook @goodvibesbenalla and orders can be confirmed on 0426828788,  Main Street Cafe was commended on publishing a list of its local and regional suppliers - not only demonstrating support for local businesses, but a great way to reduce food miles travelled.

The group enjoys catching up and sharing news and views on a bimonthly basis at the Farmers Basket Cafe.  They are looking for more action group members particularly in agriculture or environment sector - Kathryn will link with anyone who is unable to attend in person.

The next Benalla Local Food Network meeting will be the Wed 6th Nov 5:15 at Farmers Basket Café Benalla--all welcome

Contact Person: 
Kathryn McQualter
​Coordinator Benalla Local Food Network Action Group
Dietitian Benalla Health  0357612219  
Kathryn.McQualter@benallahealth.org.au


Beverley Lee
BSFG Member/Web Team