sydneyfoodfairness.org.au

9 Responses to “Macarthur Food Workshop – have your say”

1. Alison Dunshea
   

   26. Aug, 2009

   I coordinate the Munch & Move program in SSWAHS. One big issue that has arisen in some areas of Campbelltown is the poor access to fruit and vegetables. An example is Claymore.
   Preschool teachers are promoting fruit and vegetables to the children and their parents, holding crunch & sip breaks, etc. and report that there isn’t any access to quality fruit & veg for the residents – which impacts on the types of food that children are being given to take to school.
   Where there is a sole small supermarket in operation there is only poor quality expensive fruit & veg on offer. Many families in these areas are large and just can’t manage the logistics of carting massive amounts of fruit & veg home on buses from the fruit & veg markets and shops further away.
   I am excited by the community garden that a volunteer is working on in Claymore to teach residents how to grow their own fruit & veg. There needs to be a lot more support for this type of activity.

2. Cara
   

   28. Aug, 2009

   A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending one of Michael Shumans ‘local living economies’ workshops in Randwick. Food security played a significant role in his presentation, breaking down direct benefits in employment, health, reduced crime and strengthening of the local economy. One thing we noticed as a group though, was that the business sector was poorly represented. Here is to members of the Macarthur Business Community seeing the value in being part of this exciting and vital conversation. See you there.

3. Claire
   

   28. Aug, 2009

   Can’t make the summit.. but what a great idea!!
   I have lived in Camden LGA for most of my life and I am really concerned about the loss of our agricultural land and the lack of planning by the State Government, in reference to where we are going to get out fresh produce in the next 10 years.
   State Government needs to take our concerns seriously! Our food is important for our future.

   Lets all get behind this!
   Comments anyone???

4. Michael Gerrathy
   

   28. Aug, 2009

   I’m glad I found this site!!
   I work as a disability caseworker and I am so excited for the comments I’m reading.
   In my line of work, nothing is more important than promoting healthy eating and healthy practises. The number of public housing estates that I work in around teh macarthur area ALL have poor access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
   State Government needs to step up. Real investment in health dollars needs to be put into keeping groups, such as those I work with, well!

5. Colleen
   

   03. Sep, 2009

   I am a local resident and big supporter of increasing better access to locally grown fresh produce. It is very concerning to hear that so much of our local agricultural land may be jeopardised. These concerns need to be looked at and hopefully this can influence better urban planning for our future.
   Fresh fruit and veg is already considered costly and hence is yet another factor influencing the obesity rate in the Macarthur area. Removing or creating even greater difficulty in accessing fresh fruit and veg is only going to make matters worse. There is already so much urban development happening in the area now, we need to remember how important it is to keep our open spaces and understand the long term impact if agricultural land is slowly deminished.
   No more concrete havens!

6. Andy
   

   07. Sep, 2009

   I did recognize the changes of Farm land in that areas. It took me back to a while ago when I participated an Advanced Diploma Training Course in Hong Kong, the participants of the course were senior staff from YMCA across Asia and South American.

   I still remembered my fellow YMCA colleagues whom came from Bangladesh and Pakistan, they told us that the owner of farm land in their countries were received the aid from multinational companies to help them to improve the production of rice and vegetables. They applied the nutrient to the soil. Then the soil became very rich and lots of rice and vegetables were produced.

   However, after three years, the soil just dead, no more rice and vegetables can be produced, because the nutrient was chemical. It kills the soil. Then the Government have to import rice, but is too late, they don’t have bargain power to control the price – they got no food to against. In that moment, my fellow colleagues paused and tears just falling from their eyes.

   It looks like we don’t need to put any ‘nutrient’ to kill our farming industry. Cement granted from this project kills our farming culture and our bargaining power in one go.

7. Peter
   

   16. Sep, 2009

   I was at the Campbelltown forum. On the whole it was very positive. However, I would have liked more time for participants to discuss their issues in the small groups.
   The speakers were all very informative and helpful; and it was good hearing Phil Costa. He seems to be genuinely concerned about the issues; but at the same time indicated that the government does have a priority in providing more housing in the area. The question arises about using the best farmland for this purpose. One of the most interesting suggestions was to map the most productive land, and leave that for food production, and build elsewhere! In the present context, with the relationship between political and economic interests – especially imperatives for developers to maximise profits, and a government that doesn’t want to listen to the public – this will be very difficult. However, a key agreement was that we have to make our voices heard, and raise wider awareness and support to drive change, for a healthy, sustainable future for all citizens!

8. Kristen
   

   30. Sep, 2009

   I believe that we need to better support the small independent ‘Market Garden Farmers’. If organisations can take services out to them to assist with a better work/life balance, generations are more likely to continue this dying farming style. It is a hard life, with long days, a lot of hard work and constant competition with the big Companies. There needs to be more incentive to assist the younger one’s to continue their parents hard work.

9. Louise DuVernet
   

   03. Nov, 2009

   Yes Kristen I agree. On the Central Coast we have a Food Integrity Group(FIG) that provides an opportunity for people in the area to purchase locally grown fruit and vegetables. I would not have known about this group if I had not become a member of the SFFA. I have discovered the beautiful people of the Permaculture Central Coast who really make a difference in their every day life in supporting the local farmers and caring for the community.