Hello everyone!

As Autumn draws to a close, May has been another incredible month at Food For Change. The main news of course is the official launch of our new farm at The Briars Mount Martha!

Our team has doubled down on our efforts. It is our continuous mission to grow healthy and nutritious food for those experiencing food insecurity, which can best be done on the two farms: The Clayton Farm and The Briars Farm. With the help of many volunteers, we are able to envision the progress that will be made in the coming years. This is a large step in the right direction, and our team cannot wait for what is to come.

It’s been a year in the making and from myself and all the team I wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who has played a part in getting the site off the ground.

Now the fun part begins!

Matt Donovan – Founder & CEO

OPENING OF BRIARS FARM

We’ve expanded! A big thank you to the 40 volunteers who helped open our second location, Briars Farm, on May 22. We planted rosemary, rhubarb, silver beet, and spring onions. It was such a successful day!

Building on the momentum from our South Clayton farm, The Briars Mornington Peninsula, will provide vulnerable communities in the South Eastern region and Frankston with nutritious, safe, and versatile fruits, vegetables and herbs. The location was chosen because it performs relatively poorly in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) socio-economic indexes and displays a number of characteristics that closely align with food insecurity. These include higher levels of low-income households, unemployment, renters, and single parents (ABS 2016, Foodbank 2019). The Briars Farm project will help promote a range of positive changes in these at-risk communities by directly addressing issues around the accessibility and affordability of healthy foods.

Within 12 months, we aim to provide over 50,000 meals to local residents, reaching 100,000 meals by the second year and 250,000 meals in the third. To distribute the food we will be working closely with local food relief organisations.

IGA PROGRAM

Food For Change is moving forward the South Australia IGA Program, which in essence matches companies and households with the nearest food relief organization all through an app. The goal to to lower waste through the country of Australia, and instead redirect it to those experiencing food insecurity.

A great article on the Food For Change website summarizes it best.

“Food For Change supports local food relief organisations across the nation, and we’ve curated all the details into one large central database. So if you’re not located near one of our farm sites, you can now donate directly to your closest relief centre. So to help us ensure that we’re minimising wastage, and helping to feed the hungry – we’re imploring all of you as individuals, workplaces and community groups to help us drive food donations.”

A big thank you to Green Industries for providing a generous grant! This will be responsibly used to continue this initiative, and put ‘no waste’ on the forefront in all communities.

PLANT THE FUTURE WITH “SEEDS OF CHANGE”

We are thrilled to announce that our Seeds for Change Program is here! Our team has developed a range of seeds for each season that can be grown anywhere in Australia. Each packet contains 3 varieties of seeds and only costs $6.95, with 100% of the profits going to feed hungry Australians. To help support this great initiative and order your seeds please visit the link HERE.

NEW MONTH – NEW FOOD BOX

There is no better time to enroll in a Food For Change food box subscription. With new veggies and fruits each month, our fresh food box costs the same as buying from your local supermarket, except we deliver for FREE! One hundred percent of profits from our fresh food boxes go to feeding the hungry. Our fresh produce delivery service is available once a month to people all across Melbourne & Victoria.

This month’s food box will include a variety of fresh veggies and fruits! For those who are subscribed, let us know of your box and what you were able to create with the ingredients.

FIELD STORIES

This month we want to honor our very own Anna Ham! Her hard work and attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed, and truly helps Food For Change go round. With the new monthly food boxes, Anna ensures that everything is in order– with fresh veggies and fruit, a recipe card, and a welcome letter.

In Anna’s free time, she enjoys cooking and creating new recipes, gardening, creating sustainable DIY projects, and being outdoors. Thank you Anna for all that you have done and all that you will continue to do! Food For Change wouldn’t be where it is without your constant dedication and support.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN JUNE

In this upcoming month, our focus is to continue growing veg and fruit on the two farms: Clayton Farm and Briars Farm. It is an exciting time as our team increases our efforts to lower food insecurity. Follow along!