New foodie group gets Costa’s approval

A new initiative designed to unite food efforts and increase education was launched last week.

The Baw Baw Food Movement was launched last Monday by ABC Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis and award winning food writer Richard Cornish.

Costa toured West Gippsland in a daylong community consultation and education campaign that culminated in an evening community conversation event.

Central West Gippsland Primary Care Partnership executive officer Liz Meggetto said they were thrilled the food movement was so well received.

“Tremendous support was shown by groups across Baw Baw and the ticketed evening event was a sell-out.

“This is a strong indication that this community is interested and invested in the production of and access to local food,” she said.

The community-focussed campaign took Costa on the road to visit Longwarry Primary School, Warragul Community Garden, Fairview Village, Warragul Regional College, Baw Baw Organics and HiCliff Dairy Goat Farm.

“Costa’s ability to engage with all members of the community was an absolute asset to this project,” Ms Meggetto said.

“His passion for food and his energy is infectious. We couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador.”

The launch culminated in a grassroots community conversation event featuring a panel of six, hosted by Richard Cornish at Vin Rowe Farm Machinery.

The panel included Costa and Ms Meggetto, as well as Tamsin Carvan of Tamsin’s Table, Liz Clay and Lynda Hoare of Baw Baw Food Hub and Vicki Jones of Mountain View Organic Dairy.

About 130 people attended the event. Key issues raised during the conversation with panel members included the availability and affordability of fresh, local, seasonal organic produce, food security issues facing our community, the education of children with regards to making good food choices, the challenge of land use, increasing foreign ownership of local farms and ways to support local growers and producers of food.

“The conversation has started,” Ms Meggetto said. “The Baw Baw Food Movement has commenced. We had 75 sign ups for voluntary participation in food initiatives across Baw Baw in one night.”

Ms Meggetto said the impact of these sign-ups on the local food economy would be far reaching.

“Ten people signed up to lead the Achievement Program within each of their individual schools.

“That potentially represents 5000 to 10,000 children who will benefit from a healthier environment to learn and play in.

“Second Bite, a program which delivers three tonnes of fresh fruit and veggies to community programs, had 12 volunteers sign up.

“This will allow for the food rescue initiative to increase its frequency from fortnightly to weekly.

“This increases community groups’ access to free fresh produce, which currently benefits more than 20 community groups across Baw Baw.

“These are just a couple of examples. The difference 75 sign-ups will make in our community is immeasurable and very exciting.

“As individuals, each of us has the power to be a part of this food movement. We can all be change makers and shape the future of our food economy.

“We can choose to buy direct from local farmers, learn how to cook it, share it and let food become an integral part of our families and of our culture,” Ms Meggetto said.

For more information about signing up to the Baw Baw Food Movement, go to www.visitbawbaw.com.au