Big Spring Food Swap!

It's Spring time! So we all know what that means. The St Kilda 'Big Spring Food Swap' is on again! Come on down to the Port Philip Eco-Center on Sunday between 10:30 - 11:30am to experience this unique event.

It's a large gathering of all the local gardeners where you can swap your fresh foods. Do you have some delicious goodies in your pantry? If so, then you know where to be this weekend! On a typical morning at the swap, you can expect offering of:

• Fresh Fruit 
• Vegetables 
• Seeds & Seedlings 
• Flowers 
• Baked Cookies 
• Ginger Beer 
• Compost & Mulch 
• Eggs
• And much much more!

Come down, have a chat, grab a coffee and meet the locals. For more information please call 9534 06 70 or e-mail: reception@ecocentre.com

Happy Swapping!

By Joel

How much Australian is Australian Made?

The iconic green and yellow Australian made logo is there to help us recognise which products are locally manufactured. Although many my think a product branded with this special logo is entirely produced on our shores, they could be wrong.

To what extent should we go when branding a product ‘Australian made’? Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is currently challenging labelling laws in parliament, claiming that this famous logo can be “misleading”. Mr. Xenophon is challenging the house to make it illegal for products to receive the tick of approval if they contain foreign produce.

In response to the Senator’s proposal, many have argued that some products simply cannot be produced without overseas goods. Some additives, raw materials, complex preservatives and flavourings can only be found off shore.

Although some elements must come from overseas, some products are able to get away with a lot more. Xenophon spoke of an orange juice bottle branded with the green and yellow kangaroo containing half Australian half imported juices. With so many discrepancies, it’s hard to see where to draw the line!

If a Cadbury chocolate is made in Australia, but sources it’s coco from off shore can it truly display the Australian made logo?

Could stricter laws on labelling make it harder for the Australian food industry?

Please share your thoughts below. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with any further news on the matter.

By Joel

What´s your initial reaction?

Green Top 5: ECO-FASHION

Top 5 Eco-Fashion Tips

Is it possible to maintain your style while remaining green? The answer is of course YES. In recent times there has been a huge influx of environmentally friendly products, including fashion. When selecting your clothing there are plenty of things to keep in mind. Depending on what materials are used and where they’re from, many pieces can be given the green tick of approval. Here’s a few little questions to ask yourself when making your next purchase:

1- Is it locally sourced?

One of the best things you can for the environment is purchasing from local producers. This will ensure the clothes are not traveling long distances and contributing to by-products related with shipping. While also helping the environment, you’ll be supporting local business.

2- If not, is it fairly traded?

Some clothes are dirt cheap for a reason. Insure when purchasing imported clothing that they were fairly traded. Fair Trade involves practices which fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries. Oxfam and many similar organizations offer fair trade fashion, where proceeds assist people in developing countries.

3- Can I find it second hand?

Who said recycling was only for plastic bottles? Vintage shops & fashion recycles are a fantastic way of dressing fashionably and helping out the environment. Spice up your closet with a pre-loved jacket or some second hand jeans. This can also be a very cost effective alternative.

4- Is the garment organic?

Surprisingly, the production of cotton can be very harmful for the environment. The majority of cotton producers use a large amount of chemicals to meet high demands for cheap materials. Check the label for organic cotton. Organic cotton uses far less chemicals and is treated in a more eco-friendly manor.

5- Are the materials sustainable?

Try to avoid purchasing clothing, which contains rare materials which overly tax the earth. Sustainability is all about using materials at a rate which they can reproduce at the same speed. Bamboo is a perfect example of sustainability. This material is used in some fine silks, shirts and dresses!


By Joel

Carbon Footprint Calculator

With this calculator you can estimate your own emission. The more data you deliver the more specific is your result. It doesn´t contain every action in your life yet but you get an idea what kind of questions are relevant for your footprint. Also crucial to notice is by what amount it changes and what behaviour effects it the most.

For example did you know that the change from “I mainly eat white meat (e. g. chicken)” to “I eat red meat every day” changes your footprint by 0.28 metric tons. This is a lot considering that the average footprint for Australians is 16.30 metric tons. 

• The average for the industrial nations is about 11 metric tons
• The average worldwide carbon footprint is about 4 metric tons
• The worldwide target to combat climate change is 2 metric tons

Thus especially Australia still has a lot work to do!

There are tips for the reduction of your carbon footprint as well. Check it out on: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

by Mendis

Vue de Monde

Vue de Monde and Shannon Bennett’s team appear to be popping up everywhere; with Vue de Monde recently opening on the 55^th Floor of the Rialto. They also now operate the café at Heidi Gallery in Bulleen and a little place called the Melbourne International Airport!

I was happy to read recently that a lot of their efforts are now focussed on creating Sustainable practices.

They run the kitchen garden at Heidi (pictured, from their website), using the fresh produce across their different venues and supplying from local organic farmers wherever possible. Shannon Bennett saw the opening at The Rialto as an opportunity to work towards a carbon neutral kitchen, incorporating more than 50 new technologies in this area.

You can read more at their website: http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/sustainability

I guess that reason enough to justify the $65 express lunch at Vue de Monde… 

By Alex

Green Top Five: LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

Have a look at these markets and their upcoming events by visiting them on their websites and our home page. They are the best local farmers market in which you will find immense variety of food and beverages with their own local producers. Few of them have also been awarded by the Australian Farmers Market Association tick for their best and organic food styles and gaining all the points based on their criteria.

Top 5 Farmers Market

1. Your Local Markets :

Your Local Markets has been running vibrant farmers markets on the Gold Coast for 6 years and is expanding south of the border, into Sydney. They offer a number of quality markets with a focus on local, sustainable and beautiful products, including Food and Farmers markets, Global Food markets, and Artisans markets.

 The most important things that they  support the international movement in favour of local communities and producers. They also believe that they should return to the older ideals where food was celebrated, became the centre of our families and connections, but where we started with the beautiful raw ingredients and turned it into something special. We celebrate food, as we celebrate life! They are also promoting their blog in which they have mentioned heaps of recipes that can be easily made by organic and fresh food. There are passionate about the our planet and all the living things that inhabit it. they are obviously concerned about global warming and ways we can live more sustainable, for us, our children, and their children.

http://www.yourlocalmarkets.com.au/ 

2. Melbourne Community Farmer's Markets:

They  have been awarded accreditation by the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association. They have worked towards this since the establishment of each of their markets and strongly believe that the integrity of farmers’ market is the key to a long term contribution to our local food industry.

From now on, farmers’ markets are either accredited because they can prove their authenticity and should be celebrated for their efforts, or leave you wondering why they’re not. It’s not as easy for markets in country Victoria but there’s no excuse in the city…. They have been arranging these markets with the help of their own communities, they have a very large number of stallholders, every Saturday a different market and so much more...

       Visit them :                                                         http://www.mfm.com.au/

3. Melbourne Showgrounds Farmers Market :

This is Melbourne’s first farmers’ market to be established with Victorian Farmers’ Market Association accreditation - a guarantee that stallholders grow or make the goods they sell and that the quality of produce is of the utmost importance. There’ll be no craft stalls or jumping castles to distract from this seriously good food expedition but there will be plenty for kids to enjoy because farmers’ markets are a wonderful food adventure for all. Held inside the historic Federation building and around its courtyard, the farmers’ market will be accessed through Gate 7 Leonards Cres off Langs Road. Easy parking is available almost at the door at $3 per vehicle. This market will be plastic bag free so BYO your trolley, basket or shopping bags.  Every Sunday From 9am- 1pm. And obviously accredited by Victorian farmers market association.

Visit them : http://www.melbourneshowgroundsfarmersmarket.com.au/

4. Newcastle City Farmers Market: 

When it comes to arts and crafts you will find the Hunter's biggest gathering of artisans. There are blacksmiths and jewellery makers, painters, photographers, toy makers, fibre and paper artists and more. You will also find plenty of stalls selling gifts, from Fair Trade products through to educational toys and books along with beautiful hand-made soaps and beauty products. They  are constantly adding lots of content, including individual profiles of Farmers, Artisans, Gourmet Foods,and Health and Lifestyle who all provide their wares at the markets each Sunday. Newcastle City Farmers and Craft Market is now on most Sundays, regardless of the weather, at the Newcastle Show ground.

Visit them: http://www.newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au/

5. Mt Claremont Farmers Market :

The Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market is an exciting initiative. Predominantly a fresh produce market operating every Saturday morning at the Mt Claremont Primary School, the market is a school community based project that provides an opportunity for farmers, food producers and chefs to sell farm-origin and associated gourmet food products directly to their customers.Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market has built a solid reputation having been recognized in the Australian Gourmet Traveler magazine; The Food Lover’s Guide to Perth; both local and national newspapers. The Market is considered as one of the best in Australia with a host of top local chefs including Russel Blaikie, Clint Nolan, Matt Stone and Hadleigh Troy sourcing product for their restaurants on a regular basis.

Visit them : http://www.mtclaremontfarmersmarket.com.au/

By Fahan