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We have a great vision statement and we believe that with a little bit of work and a great deal of focus that we are more than capable of achieving.
To make local food a reality the BREAZE Local Food production Group, have set the following three key goals:
- Encourage local food production
- Support establishment of local food supply chains
- Encourage residents to purchase sustainably produced local food.
This page is about doing. What are the projects that we can undertake that will get us a step closer to our goals?
Let us be bold and find for our communities another path, new opportunities. The future belongs to us and it starts today. Come and be part of our journey and become involved. We have many projects and many ways you can contribute. Remember contribution is the essence of promoting change. Any and all contributions generate change–targeted small contributions add up to have many big effects.
If none of the projects mentioned below capture your imagination or perhaps you are burning with the fire of a great idea, or perhaps we haven't quite hit on your area of passion, get in contact with us.
And don't forget to join us at the BREAZE monthly potlucks (returning in January - date to be announced) where the food and the company are unparalleled!
Contact Michele Harvie
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step–Lao Tzu
PROJECTS
Encourage local food production
Ballarat Region Organic Home-grown Veggie Competition
The BREAZE Local Food Production Group takes delight in sponsoring the prize for the best Ballart region organically home-grown vegetable at the 2008 Ballarat Agricultural Show, 1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50. The Ballarat Show is a local institution, partnering with them on one event is an excellent way for us to promote ourselves and our aspirations to the wider Ballarat Community. WIN:WIN. We had poster up promoting this new event at last years show. We have until November to organize a co-sponsor, prizes and the appropriate judges for the competition.
Hands-On
A mixed group of Gardeners, from experienced to beginner's get-together on the 1st Sunday of the month, 1pm to 3pm, to share ideas, support each other and learn. We have had many varied and diverse activities which have included, the very practical aspect of how to make a compost heap, carpooling to a Heritage Apple Farm where we were able to get custom apple tree grafts, visiting a Permaculture Backyard Blitz, A spring into Spring propagation day. Plus our garden visits, the highlight of which has been visiting Urban Food Garden.
Buddies
We have a whole heap of people who have a lot of gardening knowledge but not necessarily time or energy and a whole bunch of people who are keen to learn all they can about growing vegetables in Ballarat. We would like to offer a match making service. We are currently developing the guidelines to make this a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone that is involved. If you are handy with a word process or perhaps would like to put your name down as someone who is looking for a buddy, this is the place for you.
The Tale of the Tomato
Once apon a time...
A community would come together at the end of the season to help each other with the harvest, prepare the bounty for winter and celebrate the end of another successful year. At some point in the not to distant future we would like to host, in conjunction with other groups, a yearly Tomato Festival. A day of joy and celebration and mass bottling of tomatoes. Looking for Prince or Princess Charming to nurture this story.
...and they lived happily ever after.
BREAZE Patch
Peter Cundall, from Gardening Australia fame, said the more than 400,000 people come to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens every year to look at the vegie patch. Instead of Pete's Patch what about BREAZE'z patch. Would like to establish a demonstration, educational, low water vegetable garden at Botanic Gardens. At this point we are looking for that special sole who would write a list of possible options including an outline for an action plan. Are you this mystery person?
Open Garden Scheme
Similar to the normal open garden scheme, however with a Local Food Production twist, we would like to develop an open vegetable garden scheme showcasing inspiring local Ballarat veggie gardens.
Support establishment of local food supply chains
Local Food Directory
We hold a wealth of knowledge with-in our group about where we can source locally produced food. Many of us have taken the time and energy to ferret this information out. Instead of us all having to re-invent the wheel, it would make a whole lot more sense to share our information. Which is why we are currently compiling a list of supplies who sell locally produced products. All donations gratefully received.
Visiting Local Producers
We are hoping to link up the Hands-on group with the 'Slowfood' movement, who are already organizing field trips to local producers. It will become a valuable way to connect with our local growers to develop a better understanding of our local supply chain, with all its problems and joys.
Encourage residents to purchase sustainably produced local food
Local Food Co-op
We are looking into the pros and cons of establishing a BREAZE food co-op. There has been a discussion paper developed–offering options, asking questions. If you think this may be an area that you would like to develop or perhaps would like to register your name as a potential member at a future date, contact us at
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