t u o r o j a m

Projects Showcase Village

• Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Kit Resource Government Local Communities Indigenous in Distribution and Production Food • • • • • • • • • • • •

Landshare website. Australia Landshare 135 Strategy Agriculture 32,000 communications regarding the Tweed Sustainable Tweed the Sustainable regarding communications across Forums 200 project. the of life the 15 gardens. 8.5 compost application activities application compost 23 underway. now is Yamba in market farmers new a of commencement The exhibition. public on is and Council by endorsed been has garden market Council Valley Clarence of Amendment hive bee a and vegetables held been have farming worm and composting 92 the region region the 275 7 5 and fruit fresh and foods bush native Australian a of Establishment 17 10,185 with with Councils in the Northern the in Councils all for developed were templates policy new local school children have been engaged throughout throughout engaged been have children school local farms participated in on-farm composting and and composting on-farm in participated farms cooking, growing, encompassing workshops community gardens have received assistance assistance received have gardens community hectares of land is now dedicated to community community to dedicated now is land of hectares Northern Rivers based registrations on the the on registrations based Rivers Northern participants attended the Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture Sustainable the attended participants participants attended Farm Field days across across days Field Farm attended participants 117 Tweed LGA residents received targeted targeted received Tweed residents LGA people have been engaged through the project project the through engaged been have people organisations directly involved directly organisations 4 locations 2 hectare garden incorporating incorporating garden hectare c send to landfill has decreased decreased has landfill to send they material organic of amount the that reported respondents survey project NRFL the of 43% s e m o

w s s

• • • • • • • • • • • Distribution Projects Distribution Education and Marketing

ource ource Community the killing ebsite – Nov 11. Nov – attracted website Sustainfood 11 Nov – attracted website NRFL program pilot purchasing the in participating the from reported sales on influence positive a with evaluated was Identification Source with Labeling 195 committing 108 speakers. sustainability featured and gardens edible create to how demonstrations, 5 attracting 40 phone app and and app phone 671 project NRFL the in involved with compared produce, local replaced which model distribution Intra-Region an established Fruitos of savings monthly engaged has project The market. local the for retained being produce 2 to supply established Steps No with House customers local reporting period, with model distribution a established Growers Citrus Coast North NSW Local food events showcasing local food cooking cooking food local showcasing events food Local fruit shops and Fruitos resulting in in resulting Fruitos and shops fruit

community based skilling workshops conducted conducted workshops skilling based community producers registered on the producers database producers the on registered producers retailer assessments undertaken with with undertaken assessments retailer downloads of the Virtual marketplace MyFood NR NR MyFood marketplace Virtual the of downloads I dentification 582 20 participants over over participants 23.86 303 local producers with an estimated estimated an with producers local 450 250 businesses/organisations registered. businesses/organisations kg of citrus delivered per week to to week per delivered citrus of kg tonne of produce per month with with month per produce of tonne km in travel in km 35 224,175 new customers over a a over customers new 1.5 118,001 17 hits from June 10 10 June from hits tonne prior to being being to prior tonne topic areas topic 76.6 hits from Aug 10 10 Aug from hits tonne of of tonne 85 4 retailers retailers 4 IGA stores, stores, IGA retailers retailers

7 month month

“ TESTIMONIALS“ “ Garden) R fantastic.” is home produce their take can and way organic an in veg own their grow and come that fact the – units with area an Yamba is because thing…and good a is that think I pre-schoolers. and toddlers W associated DevelopmentControlPlans(DCP),toensure asustainablefoodfuturefortheregion.” asaresourceforallCouncilstoenhanceCouncilLandEnvironment Plans(LEP)and kit willalsoserve production nowandwellintothefuture.Councilshave aroleoffacilitator, regulatorandenablerthis together todeveloppolicies,practicesandprocedures, todealwithemergingissuesassociatedfood The LocalGovernmentResourceKitisanexcellentexample ofCouncilregionalcollaborationandworking Greenhouse A management.” greenhouse of aspects many in base knowledge and skill their developing as well as operations farm their to improvements strategic made have growers participating The Coast. North the on growers greenhouse to support advisory specific offer to staff local DPI’s NSW of capacity the developed has project The to down – 85 from too, groups age between interactions have We female. and male it’smixed but shed, mens’ the like bit A all. at out get didn’t lonely, or were garden, the of out come that’s interaction social The bigail bigail on on ayne ayne J urd | | urd H J enkins | | enkins alcrow | | alcrow Y amba Community Community amba M anagement anagement for DPI people can can people S

teering Committee Committee teering people who who people , , I

mproved mproved

“ “ respondent respondent NRFL seasonal.” what’s about more MUCH know also I markets, farmers my know I it, about inquire to confident more feel locally, food my sourcing of aware more much generally just am I S it.” for organisation better a are we think I . . . local its know they when customers our to it sell to easier lot a better. lot a are attitudes The good. feel me makes It producers. local support and produce local more buy - it do to wanted always We tonnes. 24 under just to tonnes 2 under just from year last to compared buying our in shift the see to month sample the for survey our did we when amazing quite was inter-region…It or interstate of instead sold have we produce local of volume the at surprise the Probably am am M S project survey survey project ember ember tewart | | tewart R ichmond ichmond F ruitos

that that V

alley Council alley

It’s “ “ respondent respondent NRFL food.” produced sustainably and local of community to benefits the of understanding an to food organic and local for preference personal a from expanded has awareness my think I Australia. in current practices transport and production food the . . . regarding changed has chain food the of understanding My A P future.” food our secure to helping and community our feed to food producing of purpose the for available made be will region our in land owned privately more because Its it. about know Rivers Northern the in landowners and growers line on an as acts that website functioning fully a have now we . . . www.sustainfood.com.au hil hil ustralia D project survey survey project udman | | udman land matching tool for for tool matching land , reducing food miles miles food reducing , L andshare andshare . . . and people people and . . . significant significant

through its Environmental Trust. Environmental its through Government Wales South New the by assisted been has project This - S - by: impacts - - by: distribution M to: aimed project Links Food Rivers Northern Aim Project

trengthen community resilience to climate change and peak oil oil peak and change climate to resilience community trengthen itigate climate change impacts associated with food production and and production food with associated impacts change climate itigate producers, distributors, retailers and consumers. and retailers distributors, producers, food regions the between links strong on built economy food local a Creating Reducing reliance on highly centralised food supply chains. chains. supply food centralised highly on reliance Reducing impacts. environmental off-farm and climate changing a in management land-use inputs, farming on emphasis particular with practices production food sustainable more of take-up Supporting Project Objectives food. produced locally for miles’ ‘food unnecessary in result that inefficiencies distribution Addressing 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

supply system. system. supply food (viable) sustainable a of development the through economy local Rivers Northern the Strengthen production. food regional with communities urban reconnecting by shortages food future potential to resilience community Increase Rivers. Northern the in system distribution and supply food the shortening by emissions gas greenhouse and costs transportation of reduction a Support food. local fresh of, awareness and to access increasing by lifestyles healthy and knowledge food community Enhance composting. source at encouraging by landfill to waste organic Reduce recycling. waste organic increased through health soil improve to how on businesses and community the of awareness Raise locally. food buying and sustainability between links on education community Enhance network. supply food local the of development the support to Rivers Northern the in staff government local of tools and skills the Enhance Printed on 100% post consumable waste consumable post 100% on Printed

• Partners • • • • • • • • • •

NSW Environmental Trust Environmental NSW the lead Council) (as Council Valley Clarence Council Shire Ballina Council Shire Byron Council Kyogle Lismore City Council City Lismore Valley Richmond Rous Water Rous TweedCouncil Shire Project Reference Groups Reference Project Local Project Teams Project Local

o r o j a m practices: environmental in improvements following the reported survey project NRFL the from respondents 200 the of 128 organics goingtolandfill 79% 2010 since or increased has Source - NRFL project survey project NRFL - Source Improved waterquality Reduced greenhouse Source - NRFL project survey project NRFL - Source T learnt about during the life of the the of life the during about learnt

4. 1. 3. 2. Choosing localfood Reduced amountof Improved soilhealth he

97% food being sold sold being food produced locally in increase an reported survey project NRFL the completed who retailers of

(c) (c) (b) many growers there are are there growers many (a) (a) how and be, is/can there produce local much How techniques planting and ideas, farming and crops weather,specific and seasonality grow, around to How biochar and farming worm mulching, composting, health, Soil

Conser

think the think gas emissions top four top potable water

crop rotation, permaculture permaculture rotation, crop non-spraying, irrigation, drip planting, companion techniques; gardening and agriculture Sustainable benefits) and risks both in (interest food security/growing food/food about sectors the within and generally are people interested How How to find local food, where it is grown and sold, sold, and grown is it where food, local find to How and difficulties for retailers retailers for difficulties and vation of food local of availability

substantially increased topics that people report to have have to report people that topics 41% Total in kind/cash achieved achieved Totalkind/cash in $2,209,965 target Totalkind/cash in $568,640 55% T otal Grant Funds $2,057,533 Funds Total Grant 59% NRFL 72% 77% since 2010 since substantially increased or increased has food 71% 85% project: their household buys or consumes consumes or buys household their

report that the the that report

amount of local local of amount either at home or in their business. business. their in or home at either do, they composting of types the on information provided survey project NRFL the from respondents 200 the of 165 consumption or distribution in their Councils. their in distribution or consumption production, food local on impact positive a about bring LEP, to to plans DCP,changes or specific policies 31 100 20 40 60 80 Farmers Market/Direct with with 698 NRFL. of life 524 56,503 130+ project. NRFL 16,674 922 17 disadvantaged. socially and training workshops. training and 1297 project. this through gardens 0 Council project participants said that they had made made had they that said participants project Council House W Project Involvement Project On llinesalesdirect community gardens have been established. been have gardens community Bokashi sales toconsumer students have been involved in the project, along along project, the in involved been have students the throughout formed been have partnerships people have been involved with community community with involved been have people Bin 31 people have attended a wide range of education education of range wide a attended have people on-ground projects have been delivered been have projects on-ground Citrus Growers to consumer groups working on behalf of people who are are who people of behalf on working groups ith NoSteps volunteer hours spent on the project the on spent hours volunteer the in involved directly been have people Association Compost Hernes Fruitos Bin heaps/ Open 82% land management practices management land their to changes positive made already have participants project Planning Farm Sustainable DPI of markets farmers from buys household their 61% substantially since 2010 since substantially piles 4 2

composting

report that the that report Hot has increased or increased increased or increased has farmimg W ork 8 6 amount of produce produce of amount Biochar Other 10

applicable

Not 12 14 > Skilling the Community > Improved Greenhouse Practices > Farmers Market Network > Kyogle Seeds of Knowledge > Community Garden > Tweed Local Food Systems

• 40 inspirational demonstrations and • Working with 4 greenhouse food • The Northern Rivers Farmers Market • The happy, smiling faces of Mummulgum • Close to the heart of the town centre, the In the Tweed, local food is fast becoming a northern rivers foodlinks workshops connecting the community to producers in the region, this project has Network is a new collaboration school children say it all. Eight community community garden at Mullumbimby is way of life with a series of projects local food have been delivered in partnership seen the incorporation of leading established between the region’s existing gardens (six at school sites) have been more popular than ever, with the 2 contributing to the movement. with the region’s community college network. greenhouse practices into current growing farmers markets. established across the Kyogle Local hectare site transformed into a much • The Stokers Siding Community Garden, securing a sustainable food future • More than 400 people have participated systems. • Farmers-stallholders and market Government Area. loved community asset. located at the local primary school is a in sessions covering everything from • All aspects of greenhouse growing, coordinators share information and • Garden projects have included installation • The Village Showcase funding has much loved project supporting community composting and growing your own food including plant nutrition, pest and develop cooperative marketing ideas. of irrigation to a shade house, enabled better accessibility to the site for learning opportunities and making a to conserving and preserving local food. disease management, water quality, • A workshop was held to explore establishment of raised garden beds, all of the community, including all weather contribution to village sustainability. ballina • byron • clarence • kyogle • lismore • richmond • tweed • rous water • Showcase demonstrations on kitchen water use efficiency and run-off marketing and promotional initiatives fruit orchards and bush food areas. road access. • For the residents at RSL Care Darlington, gardens, companion planting, cooking with management have been addressed that can be implemented in the region. • Education programs were hosted at the • Interpretive signage aimed at their new community garden has every-one local food and the importance of food miles through innovative on-ground works. • The region’s farmers markets sell on Community Centre and the local Youth communicating key food-growing enjoying the opportunity to grow their own and sustainability have featured in • The focus of this project was to support average 700 kgs of local produce per Centre targeting growing and preparing information, has been developed and fresh produce and share their food Northern Rivers Foodlinks Celebrates Regional Success community events across the region. growers to identify the key areas where month, with demand for more. nutritional seasonal food. goes hand in hand with the local food knowledge and connect socially. • 300 children have been involved in local food environmental improvements can be • Belinda Jeffery, celebrated cookbook • Sustainable horticultural training was growing guide. • The food garden at the Salvation Army’s awareness programs delivered throughout achieved, and in doing so, how the author and TV personality hosted a offered to parents of students enrolled in • New annual Local Food Festival in Banora Point complex is an educational This LOOKBOOK provides a snapshot of 28 food security projects implemented as the region’s shopping centres. long term sustainability of the farm can special Northern Rivers Food Links partner schools so they can assist both Mullumbimby saw 2000 plus visitors visit asset for the local school community, as be improved. and NBN News feature series, ‘Make it teachers and students in their new this regional showcase. well as a kitchen garden for the Salvos. part of the Northern Rivers Food Links project. For further information on the projects Markets’. The series explored farmers outdoor food garden classrooms. • The community of Burringbar have markets, eating food in season, food upgraded their community hall kitchen achievements visit www.northernriversfoodlinks.com.au miles and getting to know the farmer facilities to commercial grade, allowing it behind your food. to become a community hub, where food knowledge and sharing is abundant.

> source identification > Sustainable Food Directory > Muli Muli Community Garden > Ballina Village Showcase > Sustainable Farm Planning > Sustain Food & NRFL Websites > Ballina Community Garden > Intra-region Distribution Model

• This project involved 85 retailers right • This project saw the development of a • This community garden has fast become • The Grocer, at the House With No Steps, • 22 farmers have embraced a whole new • www.sustainfood.com.au and • Ballina Community Garden has come • This intra-region approach to distribution across the northern rivers, joining pocket sized guide to eating locally and a social hub and talking point in this offers customers 100% local food and is way of thinking about farming for the www.northernriversfoodlinks.com.au along in leaps and bounds with the is reducing the food miles associated with together to help customers quickly see organically in the Byron Shire. remote Aboriginal community. open 7 days. future. have kept the region up to speed 24/7 on help of a fabulous group of more than 50 three key Northern Rivers Food lines – what is locally grown and where it comes • It’s a veritable stocktake of local • The Muli Muli community is enjoying the • Over 50 local farmers supply their produce • Through the support of the project, what’s happening with local food. With hardworking volunteers. avocados, stone fruit and macadamias. from within the Northern Rivers. businesses that support local produce, preparation of their two acres of to The Grocer; with a mixture of fresh and farmers are now better prepared with a combined monthly average of unique • The group’s aim is to encourage • The project has the House With No Steps • These retailers display easy to free range eggs, fair trade and organic community garden space with fruit trees, value added produce. greater knowledge on the effects of visitation of 2,350 that means there has sustainable organic gardening practices working with a number of major retailers read source identification labels (we are products. bush tucker and vegetables. • Educational display panels were developed climate change on-farm and ways to been more than 56,000 people keeping and community knowledge about growing to get food from the farm to the consumer- sure you have seen them!) • Launched in August 2011, the Sustainable • The garden has a native bee hive, to help the consumer identify what is grown integrate their farm systems, reduce track of the project. and eating local food. quicker and over a shorter distance. • Increased levels of local food stocked in Food Directory is being promoted to local chicken coop, composting and food locally and seasonally to help make buying inputs, reduce costs and mitigate against • 195 local food producers have registered • The garden design has a strong focus • A White Paper has been developed profiling store have been reported. residents and visitors in local media and sharing systems. local easy. seasonal variations with better planning. on sustain food, making it easier to find on social inclusion with disability areas, model outcomes, identifying future • Customers report the signs are really on-line. • Each week high school students from the • Case studies featuring challenges faced food grown in the Northern Rivers. food security training and school learning opportunities and documenting collaborative making customer choices easier to make. • 25 outlets in the Byron Shire area are community come to the garden to work on-farm by the participants were • More than 1500 subscribers to the NRFL programs. results created by each of the distribution stocking the Directory, with an initial print and learn. developed to assist the sharing of these newsletter over an 18 month period models being progressed through the run of 5000 copies. experiences with the broader farming received regular updates on the project. Northern Rivers Food Links Project. community.

> Yamba Community Garden > Virtual Marketplace > Nimbin food security > Northern Rivers Foodlinks Documentary > Casino Community Garden > Softer Farming Methods > Marketing Campaign > Landshare in the Northern Rivers

• Established by local garden enthusiasts, • The Virtual Marketplace “My Food - The bar has been lifted on local food • The NRFL documentary will be used • The Casino Community Garden has become • Based at Mallanganee, Mara Seeds is a • The opportunity to inform consumers • 80 people in the Northern Rivers have this community garden is founded on a Northern Rivers” phone application (the production across a catchment area of more by the NSW Environmental Trust, the 7 a space for growing, learning and sharing, certified organic farm and is a best and introduce a ‘local food’ priority to the registered on Landshare Australia, a web commitment to promoting healthy active app) was developed in response to than 5,000 residents in the Nimbin area with Northern Rivers Councils, and Rous Water with numerous community groups involved. practice example of soft farming methods. region has been supported by four major based landholder and grower matching lifestyles. regional consumer demand for fast access the introduction of: to showcase the project and the amazing • The garden’s abundant harvest is already • This project included large scale marketing campaigns, each reaching more tool developed through the Northern • This garden opened in April 2011 with to local food. • The weekly Blue Knob Farmers Market people who have implemented projects helping support the local soup kitchen and input trials testing the viability and than 450,000 residents. Rivers Food Links Project. 70 members. • As an extension of the Sustain Food (which has become Nimbin’s food right across the Northern Rivers. the youth cafe in Evans Head. effectiveness of chicken manure, fertiliser, • The marketing campaigns were supported • The website provides an avenue for • The garden is a teaching and learning website the app brings people closer security hub). • This is a valuable record and tool for any • A series of cooking classes were hosted compost, liquids and pellet manure on by skill building activities in shopping people with underutilised land to register space for local schools and the to the source of their local food and • Weekly Sharing Local Knowledge other region looking to undertake a food during the project using the produce to soil biology, soil chemistry and nutrient centres and at major events. ‘land to offer’ as a way of encouraging community. information about the farm where the food community skilling (workshops on security project for their community. improve knowledge about fresh healthy retention properties. • The monthly local food page in seven an increase in local food production and • Private gardens and shared beds, is grown. everything from bee keeping to seed • To view a snapshot of the documentary eating. • An educational field day held in July 2011 community papers, and over 40 media often reaping the benefits of food supply learning spaces, mobile food gardens, • From farmers markets to retailers and growing delivered by local people for visit www.northernriversfoodlinks.com.au • The garden design features private was a huge success, with over 100 farmers stories and radio interviews has provided in the process. compost making spaces, and a wonderful restaurants, the app puts the power of local people). allotments and demonstration areas. attending. the community with project information. • For growers, the website has given worm farm make this a showcase local food choices directly into the • Nimbin Sustainable Local Food Day - a • The trial results will assist on farm The project has also attracted national them the opportunity to ‘find land’ community garden. consumer’s hand and is at the cutting showcase of local and sustainable food. decision making about the cost of inputs, media coverage. suitable for growing their own food, edge of innovation around food security. • The region’s first community owned effects of soil health and yields in the years • A special news feature was filmed and where this would otherwise be a dream mobile grain mill. to come. went to air over 3 nights as part of NBN’s out of reach. 6pm news program. • The project has attracted national media • 2 Community Service Announcements attention as an innovative way of were produced and aired by NBN. increasing the production of local food > Biological Farming Methods > citrus industry Distribution Model > Sustainable Grazing in the Clarence > Healthy Soil for food proDuction > region Distribution Model > Local Government Resource Kit • 5,000 NRFL brochures have been and giving people options on their distributed throughout the region. pathway to more sustainable living • 4 farmers with a desire to improve their • 15 citrus grower industry association • 3 farm enterprises have achieved on-farm • This project supported farmers to reduce • Distribution is a critical part of getting • Across the region, Councils have worked • 1,700 people have been involved in project on-farm sustainability are reaping the members have participated in a producer improvements to soil health and perennial the cost of food production, at the food from local farms into communities. together to develop local food policy, events, launches and field days. rewards of this project through the distribution model targeting over 70 pubs, native pasture conditions. same time improve soil productivity and Support was given to fast track the procedures and practices to deal with development of on-farm organic waste clubs, restaurants and cafés in the • Best practice water efficiency and produce quality. implementation of localised intra-region emerging issues and opportunities composting and living mulch systems. Northern Rivers region. improved water quality aims have been • 16 Tweed based farmers have trialed food distribution models. associated with food security. • The participants have been guided on • The growers generated local sales for met through key works including a gravel mulch, compost, chicken and cow manure • Commercial operator Fruitos delivered • 5 key strategic policies have been best practice implementation and were locally produced limes which reduce food stock watering point and alternative water on a variety of crops and pasture under one of the distribution projects that has developed and are being implemented by provided support to improve long term miles for this product. source. local conditions, testing the impact this has increased the volume of local food the 7 participating Council’s. soil health necessary for sustained quality • The model includes progressing • Improved stock rotation within land on soil health, plant/food quality and yield. sourced from local producers. • The production of this kit demonstrates food production. opportunities for value added products capability has led to better pasture • Farmers who participated in the trials were • Fruitos reported an increase of 75% of that Councils can successfully operate particularly in the use of ‘seconds’ fruit. resilience and reduced grazing pressures. dairy, beef and small crop producers. local food sales since taking part in the as both a regulator and facilitator of food Thank you to our partners, project teams and supporters. We project. security. wish you well in the future as your take your passion and commitment to food security forward for our wonderful region.

northern rivers foodlinks