We all have to eat, which means we’re all part of a food system. But our current food system faces major challenges, including our growing population, urban sprawl and climate change.
We must rebuild a flourishing local food network for the health of our land and communities. How? Our new network aims to connect South Aussies through events and free resources.
Less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide is The Sacred Grove, a haven for three of Australia’s finest medicinal plants. Growing Sandalwood, Native Pine, and Scented Emu Bush, founder Edmund Gooden produces essential oils, massage oils, and teas that help connect people to these plants’ ancient heritage.
While usually the Barossa Valley region is associated with grape growing and wine tastings, it once was abundant with stone fruits, apples and pears. Trevallie Orchard at Angaston, remains steadfast as these historical orchards have changed overtime to grapevines, with Hill-Smith family owners determined to stay connected to their local, seasonal and traditional roots.
On Adelaide’s northside, in the suburb of Enfield, Rachel Eckermann is tending to a vibrant home garden. Growing up, Rachel’s playground was often a chook pen or vineyard and the dinner table usually featured homegrown or locally sourced produce. Safe to say this idea of self-sufficiency stuck. Rachel now has a thriving home garden and qualifications in agriculture, horticulture, and conservation.
Located in Glengowrie, Mijbil Urban Farm is a suburban oasis that celebrates bringing community to the forefront and the front yard. With their garden in full view from the sidewalk, passersby are encouraged to say hello and wander through to pick their dinners. The farm is also a family home where Lynne and Michael Gunn have raised their two sons and housed chooks for 15 years.
Do you have excess homegrown produce? No problems! Bring it along to the Seacliff Community Produce Swap. Everything is placed on a big share table and everyone is welcome to help themselves. Bring a little, or a lot. The swap helps connect local home gardeners and promotes sharing among neighbours.
The Adelaide Bee Sanctuary aims to make South Australia’s capital a sanctuary for honey bees. Founder Sandy Ullrich installs hives at community gardens, businesses and backyards across the city, raising awareness about the importance of bees in our ecosystem while also producing local honey.
Ligaya Garden at Gawler South is a tiny yet hugely productive food garden and family home. It is grown from a passion to create a more sustainable and healthy life. In Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, Ligaya means the happiness that comes from family and community. This notion guides the family’s ethos and inspires them to share their growing knowledge via a hugely informative blog.
Magic Harvest is a home gardening program that helps to spread magic across communities. Since 2009, the program has helped families grow their own food and prepare nutritious meals at home. Tori Arbon, co-author of Magic Little Meals, was inspired by Lolo Houbein’s Magic book series. Their work together has grown a network that celebrates learning while growing food, paying it forward, sharing and swapping.
Village Greens is a small, diversified organic market garden on the peri-urban fringe of Adelaide, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, an hour south of Adelaide. This team of young farmers are passionate about sustainable agriculture and the blossoming local and fair food movement in Australia.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we live, work and play. We pay respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are inspired by the long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agriculture and ecological land management.
SA Urban Food Network Inc.
hello@saurbanfood.org
ABN: 67 962 783 034
We’re a member of Sustain: The Australian Food Network.
We’re supported by:
Membership is free! Simply enter your email here and we’ll immediately send you a free printable Adelaide Plains planting guide poster, plus some other goodies, too…
