THE Sunraysia Local Food Movement says the past two years have delivered huge social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges.
Established in 2016, gatherings saw more than 100 Sunraysia farmers, growers, distributors, eaters and community workers come together for rigorous and inclusive conversations about what could be done to improve the local food system.
Out of the movement, community-led projects Out of the Box and Food Next Door Coop emerged, which are now nationally recognised projects.
Climate change, social injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic have forced a rethink about how individuals and a collective engage with food.
Deb Bogenhuber was the activator of the 2016 gatherings and co-founded Out of the Box, a local social enterprise which provides weekly subscriptions to a box of fresh locally grown food.
“We saw a huge increase in support of Out of the Box with a 40 per cent increase of subscribers when pandemic restrictions were first introduced and people became more aware of the importance of having a reliable source of food,” Ms Bogenhuber said.
“Since pandemic restrictions have eased, support for local food has declined,” she said.
“This is a pattern we are seeing across the country and the world.”
Regenerative Communities director Rach Kendrigan, who is facilitating the Sunraysia Local Food Movement gatherings in 2022, said the the method of activating community projects was different.
“We are not here to pre-determine or tell anyone what needs to be done — we are simply holding space to generate the conversations.
“In the long run, we hope to use whatever comes out of these conversations to support further activation of local food projects in any way we can.”
Upcoming events include a “Growing the Growers” farm tour and talking circle at Ben’s Bona Fide Food in Merbein on Saturday, June 18.
Ben is a young local vegetable grower who has been supported by Out of the Box to fulfil his dream of becoming a full-time market gardener.
He will provide a tour of the market garden and explain how he grows chemical free, fresh produce in our local soils and climate.
The talking circle following will be an open discussion exploring how the community can support the growth of local, small scale growers.
On Wednesday, June 29, Chez Orchard, from Young Farmers Connect, will host a session for young and emerging farmers and those who wish to support them at the Merbein Hotel.
Young Farmers Connect is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to cultivating networks, resources and community for young farmers state and nation-wide.
On Monday, July 11, at the Hub Mildura there will be a session to collate the community’s thoughts and ideas on the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance Peoples Food Plan, which is designed to inform all levels of government to address real, systemic change.
