#13 🍇The Cornucopia- Food Strategies, Unhealthy Food Delivery, Human Rights, New Markets, Food Policy Conversations & Foodie Job Opportunities
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.
Hello Cornucopians!
We apologise for the delay in delivering this edition to your inbox! The food world has been incredibly active these past few months, and we've been busy—as we're sure you have been too. We’ve been running workshops, thinking about food, eating food, talking about food- you can even listen to one of these conversations on the Systems Sandbox podcast.
We've continued collecting all the articles, events, and job opportunities you've shared with us, resulting in this jam-packed newsletter!
Hot Off the Grill🫓
Across the Globe 🌎
⛰️The Aga Khan Foundation explores how agriculture and conservation can coexist harmoniously in the mountains of Central Asia.
👩🏽🌾The UK's Food, Farming and Countryside Commission has released a second report continuing their examination of food, money, and power, unpacking why farmers are squeezed by the constant push for cheaper food.
🍴Mariana Mazzucato writes on universal school meals as a crucial lever for shaping green and inclusive economic markets.
🏭Anna Lappé highlights how fossil fuel producers are creating new avenues for oil and gas through our food system.
😟A sobering look at the impact of Trump’s USDA cuts on local food systems.
Closer to Home 🏠
👍🏽The Federal government announces plans to develop a new national food security strategy; “Feeding Australia”.
🥡A recent study reveals only 3% of online food delivery outlets in Victoria are healthy, with situation worsening further away from the city and in low socioeconomic areas.
😲The ACCC has delivered its supermarket inquiry recommendations, finding Coles and Woolworths among the most profitable supermarkets in the world.
🌳The ACT’s human right laws now include the right to a healthy environment including the right to healthy and sustainably produced food.
🍓The Community Grocer has just launched a new market in Melton, which will be running every Friday morning.
Fresh Opportunities🥦
🚜Our friends at Farm My School on the Surf Coast are on the hunt for new board directors and a community engagement manager. Check out the vacancies here.
Foodie Calendar🗓️
April 8, 6.30-7.30pm, Parkville: As part of Uni of Melbourne’s Edible Urban Futures exhibition, a conversation on why promising solutions to urban food insecurity remain underutilised in Australia.
April 15, 12.30-1.30pm, online: Dr Sabrina Chakori explores degrowth food system transitions.
April 16-17, Surf Coast: Dan Kittredge returns to offer his workshop on nutrient dense growing at Farm My School on the Surf Coast and other sites across the country.
April 16, 10.30am-1.00pm, online/Deakin Downtown: We’ll be presenting alongside some excellent food system thinkers on the future of food policy at Deakin University. Join us!
April 17, 10.30-11.30am, online: Professor Jennifer Clapp discusses her new book on the titans of industrial agriculture and the roots of corporate power in the agrifood system.
Until next time, keep sending your ideas, stories and events our way! We love receiving them!
🥝 Do you have something delicious brewing that you want us to share in The Cornucopia?
Send us an ✉️ at dheepa@regen.melbourne