Photo: is Zoe Mangus, Nick McKim and Joy Phillips with some of the glorious produce distributed to local people.
The Minister for Climate Change, Nick McKim, today visited Local Food for Local People – a ClimateConnect vegetable packing project based out of the Old Woodbridge service station.
Mr McKim said that the community-supported agriculture project, funded by a ClimateConnect grant in 2010, provides a sustainable and low-carbon food network to connect farmers with local consumers in the South Channel Region.
“Community-supported agriculture is a great way to enjoy high quality, sustainable produce, support local farmers, and reduce our carbon footprint associated with food transport and production,” Mr McKim said.
“By shortening the supply chain, it allows farmers with small, mixed holdings to compete on a level playing field with larger farming operations, and it offers consumers a greater opportunity to buy and eat local produce.”
The project currently provides a weekly box of vegetables and fruit to 28 households; a full box costing $50 per week, or a half box for couples or small households at $27.50 per week.
The food is sourced from local farmers who produce non-hybrid and heritage crops using sustainable agricultural methods as well as excess produce from backyard vegetable gardens.
Mr McKim said that the project was awarded $29 040 through the Tasmanian Government ClimateConnect grants program in 2010.
Project coordinator Zoë Magnus, of Channel Living Inc., said the project would be expanded as more growers joined.
“Without any advertising, we already have a waiting list of half a dozen households, so we can supply a ready market for sustainable produce,” Ms Magnus said.
Channel Living Inc., as well as the North-West Environment Centre, has also received funding from the Tasmanian Food Security Fund to help other communities set up their own community-supported agriculture initiatives.
The Local Food for Local People project is run by the South Channel Sustainable Living Group, under the auspices of West Winds Community Centre.
Growers wishing to join the Local Food for Local People project are encouraged to contact Zoë Magnus, project co-ordinator, at [email protected]
For more information about this and other ClimateConnect projects, please visit www.climatechange.tas.gov.au
Nick McKim, MP Minister for Climate Change
