Potatoes, pumpkins, beetroot, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, chestnuts, apples, raspberries, figs, pears, rhubarb, mandarins, oranges...

One of the great things about eating seasonally is that it makes sense for your soul.  It is darker, nights are colder and the smell of wood fires permeates the air – we no longer hanker for light zesty salads and instead start to crave wholesome soups and casseroles. 

We farewell the last of the fresh tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and zucchinis (of which some are glad!) and see the emergence of autumn fare.  Around the region the potato harvest has begun and you will be seeing bags of spuds for sale along the roadsides – direct from farmer to you.  Not a bad way to support our local growers and to know that you are eating local, seasonal produce. 

Likewise signs for local raspberries are out to tempt passing motorist!  Pumpkins have spent all summer soaking up the sun’s rays and are now perfect for winter soups.

A walk through the bush will quickly reveal it is the mushroom season with an amazing array of fungi emerging – though of course many of the wild varieties are poisonous, so if you aren’t a fungi expert, stick to the ones in the shop! 

And for those of you interested in cider now is the time to make the most of apple season.  With a number of apple growing areas within our area why not ask your local green grocer or supermarket where their apples are from and buy local if you can.

Check out these websites for more information on seasonal Victorian produce:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcsite.nsf/pages/bhc_recipes?opendocument#inseason

http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/content/eating-green-environment-victoria-guide-seasonal-food

LOCAL FOOD SPOTTERS WANTED!

The BREAZE local food group has been busy discovering and recording what local food is available in our region and where you can get it from.

For further info click here (http://www.breaze.org.au/balfoodlist/) ....  We want to continue to build on this each month by letting you know where you can buy fresh local produce in our community.

If you are a keen supporter of local food, and would like to help us share with others we they can get it, we need your help now – just email us for further details.