FROM PLAINS TO PLATE February 2010

South Australian Food Convergence, February 2010

A FRIENDS OF THE EARTH INITIATIVE

“‘From Plains to Plate’ will bring together community, business and government to discuss the issue of strengthening South Australia’s food systems in the face of intensifying environmental, social and economic challenges.

The principle objective is to contribute to the development of a South Australian food policy that will provide for healthy, sustainable and resilient local food systems for the Adelaide plains and other regions of South Australia. The convergence will identify existing resources as well as current and future needs of South Australia’s food systems, and through sharing skills and information build networks to practically address these issues.

During the forum, speakers and experts from a range of fields will discuss how local producers and successful government policies and programs can complement community activism in providing accessible healthy food and the necessary skills to cultivate resilient communities.”

“Call for workshops and presentations

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from farmers, gardeners, planners, activists, permaculturalists, cooks, community workers, health professionals, teachers, policy makers and others to participate by offering workshops in your field of interest.

If you:
- are involved with projects that aim strengthen local food systems, (including community gardens, co-operatives, cow-shares, fruit and vegetable exchanges, guerrilla gardening, community-supported agriculture or more); or
- have practical skills to share, (including on gardening, design, composting, livestock, preserving, roof gardens, community building or more); or
- have a food-security concept that you would like to initiate or share; or
- can offer a professional or community perspective on food issues and challenges

We want to hear from you

For more information, or to register your interest in presenting, please forward your name, organisation, contact details and a short summary of your proposed topic to Joel.

Organisational support
While “From Plains to Plate” has been initiated by community environment group Friends of the Earth, it is growing into a broad coalition committed to developing local responses to food production and security. We are currently seeking organisational support and partnerships, please contact us for more information.