The social interaction that’s come out of the garden, for people who m a j o r o u t C o m e s were lonely, or didn’t get out at Probably the surprise at the m a j o r o all. A bit like the mens’ shed, volume of local produce that “ . we now have a fully but it’s mixed male and female. we have sold instead of interstate functioning website that acts as Total Grant Funds $2,057,533 We have interactions between age or inter-region…It was quite Village Showcase Projects Marketing and Education “ an on line land matching tool for groups too, from 85 – down to amazing when we did our survey growers and landowners in the This project has been assisted by $568,640 Project Involvement • 10,185 people have been engaged through the project Skilling the Community toddlers and pre-schoolers. I think for the sample month to see the the New South Wales Government “ through its Environmental Trust. Northern Rivers . and people Total in kind/cash target with 117 organisations directly involved • 40 community based skilling workshops conducted that is a good thing…and shift in our buying compared to last 16,674 people have been directly involved in the know about it. Its significant • 17 community gardens have received assistance attracting 582 participants over 17 topic areas because Yamba is an area with year from just under 2 tonnes to NRFL project. because more privately owned $2,209,965 • 92 workshops encompassing growing, cooking, • 5 Local food events showcasing local food cooking units – the fact that people can just under 24 tonnes. We always land in our region will be made Total in kind/cash achieved 130+ Citruson-ground Growers projects have been delivered composting and worm farming have been held demonstrations, how to create edible gardens and come and grow their own veg wanted to do it - buy more local Association available for the purpose of 56,503 volunteer hours spent on the project • 8.5 hectares of land is now dedicated to community featured sustainability speakers. in an organic way and can take produce and support local On lline sales direct producing food to feed our Partners the top four topics that people report to have to consumer gardens. their produce home is fantastic.” producers. It makes me feel good. Project Aim 524 partnerships have been formed throughout the Source identification community, reducing food miles learnt about during the life of the NRFL project: House With No Steps The attitudes are a lot better. It’s life of NRFL. • 108 retailer assessments undertaken with 85 retailers ron jurd | yamba Community and helping to secure our food • NSW Environmental Trust 1. Soil health, composting, mulching, worm farming a lot easier to sell it to our 698 studentsHernes have been involved in the project, along Food Production and Distribution committing Garden) future.” Northern Rivers Food Links project aimed to: and biochar customers when they know its • Clarence Valley Council (as with 31 groups working on behalf of people who are in Indigenous Communities • 195 producers registered on the producers database mitigate climate change impacts associated with food production and 2. How to grow, around seasonality and weather, specific Fruitos local . I think we are a better phil dudman | landshare the lead Council) socially disadvantaged. • Labeling with Source Identification was evaluated with a distribution by: crops and farming ideas, and planting techniques organisation for it.” australia Farmers17 community Market / Direct gardens have been established. • Establishment of a 2 hectare garden incorporating positive influence on sales reported from the 4 retailers • Ballina Shire Council 3. How much local produce there is/can be, and how sales to consumer - Addressing distribution inefficiencies that result in unnecessary ‘food miles’ for Australian native bush foods and fresh fruit and participating in the purchasing pilot program sam stewart | fruitos many growers there are 922 people have been 2involved 4 with6 community 8 10 12 14 • Byron Shire Council vegetables and a bee hive locally produced food. 4. (a) How to find local food, where it is grown and sold, gardens through this project. • 15 local school children have been engaged throughout Website - Supporting take-up of more sustainable food production practices with • Kyogle Council and difficulties for retailers 1297 people have attended a wide range of education the life of the project. • NRFL website attracted 224,175 hits from June 10 The project has developed the particular emphasis on farming inputs, land-use management in a changing (b) How interested people are generally and within the and training workshops. – Nov 11 • Lismore City Council capacity of NSW DPI’s local staff My understanding of the food climate and off-farm environmental impacts. sectors about food/food security/growing food • Sustainfood website attracted 118,001 hits from Aug 10 to offer specific advisory support to • Richmond Valley Council Local Government Resource Kit chain has changed regarding . (interest in both risks and benefits) 165 of the 200 respondents from the NRFL project survey – Nov 11. greenhouse growers on the North I am just generally much more the food production and transport “ strengthen community resilience to climate change and peak oil • Rous Water (c) Sustainable agriculture and gardening techniques; provided information on the types of composting they do, • 5 new policy templates were developed for all Coast. The participating growers aware of sourcing my food locally, practices current in Australia. impacts by: companion planting, drip irrigation, non-spraying, either at home or in their business. 7 Councils in the Northern Rivers have made strategic improvements feel more confident to inquire about “ • Tweed Shire Council Distribution Projects I think my awareness has crop rotation, permaculture - Reducing reliance on highly centralised food supply chains. • Amendment of Clarence Valley Council market garden to their farm operations as well as it, I know my farmers markets, expanded from a personal 100 • NSW North Coast Citrus Growers established a “ • Project Reference Groups Source - NRFL project survey has been endorsed by Council and is on public exhibition. developing their skill and I also know MUCH more about preference for local and organic - Creating a local food economy built on strong links between the regions food distribution model with 35 new customers over a 7 month 80 The commencement of a new farmers market in Yamba knowledge base in many aspects what’s seasonal.” food to an understanding of the producers, distributors, retailers and consumers. • Local Project Teams period, reporting 450kg of citrus delivered per week to 128 of the 200 respondents from the NRFL project survey 60 is now underway. of greenhouse management.” benefits to community of local local customers NRFL project survey reported the following improvements in environmental and sustainably produced food.” 40 • House with No Steps established supply to 4 IGA stores, abigail jenkins | DPI, improved respondent practices: Sustainable Agriculture 2 fruit shops and Fruitos resulting in 76.6 tonne of Greenhouse management NRFL project survey Improved soil health 77% 20 produce being retained for the local market. The project respondent • 275 participants attended Farm Field days across Improved water quality 0 41% Bokashi Compost Open Hot Work Biochar Other Not the region has engaged 20 local producers with an estimated Bin Bin heaps/ composting farmimg applicable Reduced greenhouse piles • 23 farms participated in on-farm composting and monthly savings of 250km in travel 1. Enhance the skills and tools of local government staff in the Northern Rivers to support the gas emissions 59% compost application activities • Fruitos established an Intra-Region distribution model development of the local food supply network. Reduced amount of 72% organics going to landfill 31 Council project participants said that they had made • 200 participants attended the Sustainable Agriculture which replaced 23.86 tonne of produce per month with specific changes to LEP, DCP, policies or plans to bring The Local Government Resource Kit is an excellent example of Council regional collaboration and working 2. Enhance community education on links between sustainability and buying food locally. Choosing local food 85% Forums across 4 locations local produce, compared with 1.5 tonne prior to being about a positive impact on local food production, involved in the NRFL project together to develop policies, practices and procedures, to deal with emerging issues associated with food Conservation of • 32,000 Tweed LGA residents received targeted 3. Raise awareness of the community and businesses on how to improve soil health through increased potable water 55% consumption or distribution in their Councils. communications regarding the Tweed Sustainable • 671 downloads of the Virtual marketplace MyFood NR production now and well into the future. Councils have a role of facilitator, regulator and enabler and this organic waste recycling. phone app and 303 businesses/organisations registered. kit will also serve as a resource for all Councils to enhance Council Land Environment Plans (LEP) and Agriculture Strategy “ 4. Reduce organic waste to landfill by encouraging at source composting. 79% think the availability of local food 71% report that the amount of local 61% report that the amount of produce associated Development Control Plans (DCP), to ensure a sustainable food future for the region.” • 135 Northern Rivers based registrations on the has increased or increased substantially food their household buys or consumes their household buys from farmers 5. Enhance community food knowledge and healthy lifestyles by increasing access to and awareness Landshare Australia website. wayne halcrow | steering Committee member richmond valley Council since 2010 has increased or increased substantially markets has increased or increased of, fresh local food. since 2010 substantially since 2010 TESTIMONIALS Source - NRFL project survey www.sustainfood.com.au 6. Support a reduction of transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions by shortening the food supply and distribution system in the Northern Rivers.