#1 🥘The Cornucopia
Melbourne to Victoria and Beyond: Your Regular Scoop of the Food Systems Scene
Regen Melbourne acknowledges and respects the Bunurong, Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation, which is now known as Melbourne. We extend these acknowledgements to all Traditional Owners across the State of Victoria. The food system knowledge, practices and deep wisdom of the First Nations people of this land guides, informs and drives our work.
🍒 Why are we here?
Welcome to The Cornucopia!
In your bustling world working in food systems, your inbox overflows with invites to exciting events, funding opportunities, valuable resources, and notable achievements across Melbourne and beyond. But how do you keep up with it all? That's where The Cornucopia comes in. We're your regular blast for everything happening in your sector. This is your space to stay informed and connected, where we bring you the latest updates and celebrate your successes. Share your feedback, send us any info we might have missed, and together, let's nourish our sector’s shared vision for a more just and equitable food system.
Hot Off the Grill🫓
Across the Globe 🌎
👏🏾 The IPES- International Panel of Experts on Food Systems- released a report called Food From Somewhere, making the case for territorial markets (public markets, street vendors, food hubs, community kitchens) in building food security and resilience.
🍲The Food Culture Alliance launched a great explainer video on the 4 levers to shape food culture to be more sustainable and nutritious.
🌽 A group of 300 organisations around the world, who form the Agroecology Coalition, have launched their new strategy, pushing for major change to industrial farming.
📺 Watch this engaging panel of global experts making a case for defining food system as an asset class to increase capital towards sustainable and equitable transformation.
♻️Researchers in Netherlands have found the optimum % of animal consumption that is good for both the planet and human health, creating an alternative solution to a complete plant-based diet in redesigning food systems.
Closer to Home 🏠
🛍️Supermarkets continue to be in the spotlight of federal government as the Coalition and Greens call for divestiture power of Coles and Woolworths to break up the duopoly.
🥤Public health leaders are calling for a 20% levy to be placed on sugary drink manufacturers- following the lead of countries like the U.K- to reduce the sugar intake of Australians. New data from the U.K has shown that children’s sugar consumption halved following the announcement of the levy.
Foodie Calendar 🗓️
🚜 Urban Agriculture Month is not till November 2024, but you can put yourself on the map to host an event right now!
🥕 The crew at Food Connect Foundation are hosting a 3-day South East Queensland Food Summit, bringing together consumers, industry and producers to catalyse local food summits in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
♻️ The National Food Waste Summit is happening in Melbourne on the 24-25th of July, to explore technical solutions as well as big picture conversations on reducing food waste in Australia.
The Important Stuff 💲
🥗VicHealth grant currently open for Victorian programs that strengthen local food systems- up to $150k. Closes July 31st!
🧑🤝🧑 ANZ Seeds of Renewal small grants available for programs that help build vibrant and sustainable rural communities across Australia, closes 1st of August.
Food for Thought💡
NAIDOC week may be over but your support of Aboriginal-owned food businesses needs to be all year round! The colonial legacies of our food system are still present as less than 1% of the Australia’s $200m bushfood industry is generated by Indigenous people.
Here are some wonderful Aboriginal-owned businesses to check out and support.
There are many more but you need to do your research! If you know you need further education on this incredibly important topic, you can start by reading Worimi man, academic and Farmer Josh Gilbert’s piece for Sustainable Table.
🖤💛❤️
Tasty Triumphs🥳
🎉 Melbourne- born app ReciMe, that helps home cooks organise and share recipes, has secured $1.5m in seed funding to keep growing their already huge 500k customer base!
We don’t blame you for being hungry after reading this! Please go get yourself a snack🧀
🥝 Do you have something delicious brewing that you want us to share in The Cornucopia?
Send us an ✉️ at dheepa@regen.melbourne