Article 3 : This article would be in the ‘all sorts’ section.
CERES: A MOVE FORWARD IN CITY FARMING
Ever wandered past disused blocks of land and thought ‘why aren’t they being used for something constructive’? Well CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) is doing just that, finally!
*Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/2470210649/in/photostream/
The name CERES says it all, The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies. If you live in or around Brunswick in Melbourne then you’d surely be familiar with its presence and if not then CERES is definitely worth checking out. CERES is located on the corner of Robert and Stewart Streets, just off Nicholson Street in Brunswick East.
It resides on 10 acres of land by the Merri. In its space are several different areas. They have a very successful market with all their own organic produce and a shop, a farm, education centre, café, nursery, community gardens and best of all a bike centre which fixes reuses old bikes to make and fix others (cheaply!).
*Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/2470219833/
They are also hosts to several local festivals and events. CERES relies on grants from the government as well as philanthropic support. Over 470,000 people each year visit CERES and are known for being the most visit community environmental centre in Australia.
This year CERES worked in partnership with the highly successful Brisbane group called Food Connect, and proposed a new vision of demountable farming on disused blocks around the city.
They were successful in receiving a government grant of $800,000 (some from philanthropic support too). This money will be used to make several farms, starting with one being established at the start of 2010 in Brunswick.
They are going to be building many of these in the future. What a fantastic way of using land just sitting there. This is apparently the first of its kind in the world. They are seeking to provide food to buying groups in workplaces in Melbourne and be an education and training source for children and adults.
They call them “urban organic farming hubs”, which are built out of different reused materials such as shipping containers. The demountable aspect means they can set up a farm for around 3 years and then completely disappear leaving no traces behind, on land for example waiting be built upon.
If the hundreds of proposed farms are built on disused blocks of land this could mean a farming education for city folks, on organic produce, sustainable farming, and training thousands of urban farmers without any travel involved. This will further build on the CERES name, already internationally recognised and their food-co op ventures.
Food Connect in Brisbane supplies local, sustainable produced food to their community, and builds a new, equitable way of distributing local produce is a socially responsible way.
How you can get involved: CERES has a large market or a cup of organic coffee and support in that way.
CERES is main gates are open 9am- 5pm everyday and the Cafe is open Monday-Saturday, 8.30-5pm and Sunday 9.30-5pm.
The CERES Market is on every Wednesday and Saturday 9am-1pm.
For more information visit the CERES Website.
References:
CERES Food Connect Position Description, 2009, ‘CERES Food Connect Administration Coordinator’, My Career’, accessed 9 November 2009, from, http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/brunswick-east-3057-vic/administration-office-support/administration/7256836+ceres+food+connect+administration+coordinator.aspx?s=777.
CERES Food Connect Position Description, 2009, CERES Food Connect Floor Coordinator’, My Career, accessed 9 November 2009, from, http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/brunswick-east-3057-vic/logistics-transport-supply/logistics-management/7256937+ceres+food+connect+floor+coordinator.aspx?s=777.
CERES Website, 2009, accessed 4 November 2009, from, http://www.ceres.org.au/
Food Connect Website, 2009, ‘About Us’, accessed 8 November 2009, from, http://www.foodconnect.com.au/about-us/.
Hoffman, T, 13 October 2009, ‘Brunswick mini-farms mark world first’, Moreland Leader, accessed 4 November 2009, from, http://moreland-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/brunswick-mini-farms-mark-world-first/.
Article 4: This article would be in the ‘what’s on’ section
FARMERS MARKETS MELBOURNE
Farmers Markets across Melbourne are really taking off. There are so many on different Saturdays in different weeks, in different months. Confused? Let us help clarify. Here are the main farmers markets in Melbourne’s inner. They boast beautiful, fresh, seasonal food straight from the growers in a festival atmosphere. What more could you ask for?
*Photo authors own
The Victorian Farmers' Markets Association’s accreditation program launched this month, bringing a new reassurance in the produce we are purchasing from farmers markets across Melbourne.
In the past people have been known to pose as farmers selling their own produce, however they had actually bought the produce wholesale and resold with the farmers market image to unsuspecting customers. Bad Form. So now the Victorian Farmers' Markets Association have managed to develop ways of ensuring this never happens again.
The association has employs a team of ‘Farmers Market Police’ to visit farms and stall holders to accredit them under the associations guidelines. This association has funding from the Victorian State Government.
Each of the below markets are under the Melbourne Community Farmers' Markets umbrella and are run by a market co-ordinator.
However each individual organisation profits from their particular market. Every market provides fresh produce sold directly from its grower, and manufacturers who grow their own ingredients! There are all sorts of unusual fruit and vegies, meats and cheeses that you can directly ask the grower about. An education, recipe tips and a whole heap of fun.
Here are the four main farmers markets in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. They provide an amazing atmosphere and experience which is hard to find in the city. Around 60 stall holders come from around Victoria each Saturday.
A big tip for all of these is to get in early, get in quick and bring your own carry bags!
Veg Out, St Kilda: 
When: 1st Saturday every month
Location: Chaucer Street, St Kilda
Time: 8.30am – 1.00pm
Cost: FREE
Supporting who? Veg Out (community gardens in St Kilda)
*Photo authors own
This market is fantastically located near the iconic Luna Park, it is definitely not the largest space wise, but is very busy and bustling.
Market Tip: The parking inspectors are tough and frequent! And unfortunately most car parks cost.
Collingwood Children’s Farm: 
When: 2nd Saturday every month
Location: St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Time: 8.00 am – 1.00 pm
Entry: $2 per person
Supporting who? The Collingwood Children’s Farm profit from this market.
*Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/2691873827/in/set-72157606283796125/
This is the biggest and possibly the best farmers' market of them all. The setting is beautiful, feeling like you have driven hours out of Melbourne, hay stacks lay about for people sit, and stalls line the entire outer of the large field. This one attracts hundreds and hundreds of people who wait at the gate at 8am sharp to get the produce that sells out fast. You can borrow a wheelbarrow which is a great idea at this market, also useful for carrying tired shoppers.
Market Tip: This one is a MUST to arrive early at and wear gumboots if wet! and have another $2 handy for parking.
Gasworks, Albert Park:
When: 3rd Saturday every month
Location: Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
Time: 8.30 am – 1.00 pm
Cost: FREE
Supporting who? Gasworks, a not-for-profit community arts centre
*Photo authors own
This market is definitely the quietest and most peaceful market experience which can be a great thing. You can turn up late to this market and still bag yourself some popular items.
Market Tip: Sleep in, don't rush.
Slow Foods Melbourne, Abbotsford Convent: 
When: 4th Saturday every month
Location: Abbotsford Convent, St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Time: 8am-1pm
Entry: $2
Supporting who? Slow Foods Melbourne.
*Photo authors own
Slow foods market is unique because this market is strictly only slow food. Slow Foods in political movement started in Italy in 1986. It is now worldwide.
“Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.”(From http://www.slowfood.com/about_us/eng/philosophy.lasso )
The Convent market is in the most amazing setting of all, the historic Abbotsford Convent was once used as a home for wayward girls, but is now a function venue, café, an artist studios and houses the junior part of a Steiner School.
Market Tip: The bacon and egg rolls from the Steiner mums are delicious and keep to the coffee from the market.
All four farmers markets focus on seasonal education and local produce, meaning be very suspicious of anyone selling pineapples!!
More information on other accredited farmers markets visit the Melbourne Community Farmers' Markets Website and the Victorian Farmers' Market Association.
References:
Thanks to my Aunty, Leonie Bessant, an organic farmer and part of the ‘Farmers Market Police’.
Abbotsford Convent Website, 2009, accessed 4 November 2009, from, http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/.
AVLXYZ Photostream, Flickr, accessed 9 November 2009, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/
Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets Website, 2009 accessed 4 November 2009, from http://www.mfm.com.au/.
Slow Food Website, 2009 ‘Our Philosophy’, accessed 4 November 2009, from http://www.slowfood.com/about_us/eng/philosophy.lasso.
Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association Website, 2009, accessed 4 November 2009, from, http://www.vicfarmersmarkets.org.au/.
Victorian Farmers’ Market Association, 2009, ‘Slow Food Melbourne’ accessed 4 November 2009, from, http://www.vicfarmersmarkets.org.au/market/slow-food-melbourne-farmers-market.
