Get a taste of sustainability

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YARRA Valley ECOSS will host the inaugural Sustainable Food and Ideas Festival to engage the community in an exploration of “our sustainable food future”.
The festival aims to look beyond “producer” and “consumer” to the shared responsibility for sustainable and healthy food.
Community members will have a chance to meet the farmers and producers who are passionate about sustainable food, taste their organic food offerings and take home their heirloom produce.
Operations co-ordinator Grant Eastwood said the community could share and compare their ideas about sustainability at the community environment stalls.
“And learn tips on how to grow or produce your own organic food at one of the informative and practical sustainable food workshops,” he said.
Mr Eastwood said the day was a good chance to hear the stories and experiences of establishing community food enterprises.
“Learn how to establish a food box market or a successful award-winning cafe where all the food is organic and the patrons help with the dishes and only pay what they can afford,” he said.
A distinguished group of panel speakers will also draw on their local, national and international experience to present the case for practical action on food security at the sustainable food/changing climate forum.
Sustainability co-ordinator Keith Jesse said the forum would provide the community with an opportunity to learn why food security is a most critical issue for everyone, and engage in a discussion about practical and creative responses.
Most of all though, the day is for the enjoyment of connecting and networking with others who care about a sustainable food future. Taste the delicious organic foods, jive to the organic music and join in fun activities such as the children’s “Woven Tree of Dreams” sculpture.
Community members will also have the chance to check out the diploma for Sustainable Agriculture, which joins the Education Centre Gippsland (ECG) and Upper Yarra Community House (UYCH) with ECOSS to meet agriculture industry training needs in the Yarra Valley.
A large number of agribusinesses have been able to improve their service and production practices through the diploma, as well as individuals and enthusiasts with a keen interest in sustainable agricultural practices. Initially the Diploma of Sustainable Agriculture, a state-accredited course, will be delivered for farmers and other rural landholders seeking training in sustainable agricultural and horticultural farming practices.
The Sustainable Food and Ideas Festival will be held at Yarra Valley ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn on Saturday 30 April from 9am to 4pm. The Melways reference is 289 B10. For further information contact ECOSS on yarravalleyecoss@gmail.com or log on to www.ecoss.org.au