News & Events
Farm My School launches second community farm project
Colac Otway Shire will host Victoria’s second Farm My School project, with more than 1.5 acres at Colac Secondary College to be transformed into a regenerative community farm.
The $762,450 initiative, funded through VicHealth’s Local Partnerships for Food First program, will increase access to healthy food, create hands-on learning opportunities, and strengthen community connections.
Farm My School, a not-for-profit that repurposes underused school grounds, successfully piloted its model at Bellarine Secondary College in Drysdale. CEO and Co-Founder James McLennan said the Colac farm will build on that success.
“Thanks to VicHealth, we’re bringing meaningful change to another community and expanding our goal to help young people grow real food, develop real skills, and build real connection with community and Country,” he said.
CEO and Co-Founder of Farm My School, James McLennan, on the farm at Bellarine Secondary College
CEO and Co-Founder of Farm My School, James McLennan, on the farm at Bellarine Secondary College
Colac Otway Mayor Jason Schram said the timing was important. “With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on local families, this initiative comes at a great time,” Cr Schram said.
The farm will supply produce for the community while supporting applied learning across agriculture, waste management, soil regeneration, bio-chemistry, art and photography.
Colac Area Health's Health Promotion Coordinator, Emily Alston, said the service is excited to be part of the partnership. “With 12.1% of residents in the shire experiencing anxiety about running out of money to buy food, a figure higher than the state average, this grant and community-led approach are both timely and necessary,” she said.
Only 3.9 per cent of adults in the shire meet daily fruit and vegetable guidelines, according to the 2023 Victorian Population Health Survey.
Community engagement activities will begin in coming months to ensure the farm is inclusive and accessible for all residents.
Farm My School launches second community farm project
Colac Otway Shire will host Victoria’s second Farm My School project, with more than 1.5 acres at Colac Secondary College to be transformed into a regenerative community farm.
The $762,450 initiative, funded through VicHealth’s Local Partnerships for Food First program, will increase access to healthy food, create hands-on learning opportunities, and strengthen community connections.
Farm My School, a not-for-profit that repurposes underused school grounds, successfully piloted its model at Bellarine Secondary College in Drysdale. CEO and Co-Founder James McLennan said the Colac farm will build on that success.
“Thanks to VicHealth, we’re bringing meaningful change to another community and expanding our goal to help young people grow real food, develop real skills, and build real connection with community and Country,” he said.
Colac Otway Mayor Jason Schram said the timing was important. “With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on local families, this initiative comes at a great time,” Cr Schram said.
The farm will supply produce for the community while supporting applied learning across agriculture, waste management, soil regeneration, bio-chemistry, art and photography.
Colac Area Health's Health Promotion Coordinator, Emily Alston, said the service is excited to be part of the partnership. “With 12.1% of residents in the shire experiencing anxiety about running out of money to buy food, a figure higher than the state average, this grant and community-led approach are both timely and necessary,” she said.
Only 3.9 per cent of adults in the shire meet daily fruit and vegetable guidelines, according to the 2023 Victorian Population Health Survey.
Community engagement activities will begin in coming months to ensure the farm is inclusive and accessible for all residents.
'Too Good To Go' to waste? There's an app for that
Born out of the mission to help reduce food waste across the globe, the Too Good To Go app inspires and empowers everyone to help fight food waste together. It works by connecting stores that have surplus food with local users who can purchase it at a greatly reduced price.
Australia faces a staggering food waste issue with more than 7.6 million tonnes discarded annually, of which 70% is still edible. Since August 2024, Too Good To Go users have saved over 1,000,000 meals.
Currently, more than 40% of the food produced on our planet is wasted. Too Good To Go's mission is to help halve Australia’s food waste by 2030, and move towards a more sustainable future.
How the Too Good To Go app works
1. Discover surplus food nearby: Users browse the Too Good To Go Marketplace app to find nearby stores with available surplus food.
2. Reserve a surprise bag: Users select a store, reserve a Surprise Bag, and pay securely through the app.
3. Collect your food: Users visit the store within the designated pick-up window, show their in-app receipt, and collect their Surprise Bag to enjoy.
“From a business perspective, Too Good To Go is a win-win-win model: businesses make money from their surplus food, consumers get access to good food at great value for money, and together we all help tackle climate change by reducing food waste."
"In fact, 41% of customers purchase additional items when collecting a Surprise Bag," Joost adds. "Businesses are also able to reach a whole new cohort of customers with 61% noting they only visited the store because of their Surprise Bag collection.”
To find out more and download the app visit https://www.toogoodtogo.com/
uForage app puts 'Farmers’ Market' in everyone’s pocket
A free app called uForage is transforming how people source and share local food by turning their smartphones into virtual farmers’ market maps.
The free platform lets users discover - or post - wild‑growing finds, home‑grown extras, and small‑scale makers’ goods in their community.
Unlike many foraging apps that focus solely on wild foods, uForage connects people not just with what grows in the wild, but also with the everyday abundance found in backyard gardens and home kitchens worldwide.
Through the app, users can discover freshly harvested honey, free-range eggs laid that morning, rich sheep or cows’ milk with cream on top, fresh lemons ready for picking, warm loaves of baked bread, traditional homemade salami, and much more.
To find out more and download the app, visit https://uforage.com.au/
New book helps home cooks preserve food, cut waste and save money
A new release for Kindle, The Art of Shelf-Preservation, is teaching home cooks how to turn garden gluts and pantry staples into long-lasting flavours while reducing food waste and grocery costs.
The book focuses on small-batch pickling, fermenting and pantry recipes designed to be quick, fuss-free, and accessible for beginners.
With food prices rising and households throwing out tonnes of fresh food each year, the guide offers simple techniques to help families save money, stretch ingredients, and enjoy seasonal produce year-round.
Readers can learn how to pickle, ferment, and dehydrate without special equipment, transforming surplus produce into vibrant pantry staples.
Recipes include chimichurri, fermented garlic honey, kimchi, jams, stock, lemonade and much more. Find it here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FM79NMWX
This season's events
Grenache & Gourmet - 19th September-6th October
The McLaren Vale wine region is again playing host to the Grenache & Gourmet Festival, an 18-day celebration that brings together winemakers, chefs, growers, and local producers to showcase the vibrant character and food-friendly charm of McLaren Vale Grenache.
The 2025 program features more than 28 events across three categories:
Sip & Savour pairs world-class Grenache with farm-to-table dining experiences, from chef-curated long lunches to cellar-door tastings matched with artisan bites.
Learn & Explore invites guests to deepen their connection with the region through vineyard tours, blending workshops, and hands-on encounters with the people behind the wines.
Relax & Unwind events combine wine, food, live music and good company in relaxed settings. Guests are invited to enjoy the region’s signature hospitality - warm, generous, and effortlessly laid-back.
Australian Native Food Festival - 27th–28th September
Presented by Indigiearth and led by founder Sharon Winsor, the inaugural Australian Native Food Festival will celebrate First Nations culture and native Australian ingredients, hosted by Sydney’s Carriageworks.
The free two-day event invites visitors to connect with Aboriginal culture through food, music, art and storytelling. Guests can experience live cooking demonstrations from chefs such as Ben Shewry, Kylie Kwong and native grains expert Kerrie Saunders, alongside bushfood masterclasses, an Indigiearth pop-up café, and market stalls featuring more than 18 Indigenous-owned brands including IndigiGrow, Jala Jala Treats and Kakadu Kitchen.
In addition to culinary experiences, the festival will host discussions on native foods and Indigenous food sovereignty with trailblazers including Raylene Brown, Pat Torres, Jenny Khan and Aunty Beryl. Cultural performances, live music and storytelling will run throughout, creating an immersive celebration of Country, culture and connection through food.
FEASTival - 27th–28th September
FEASTival is a vibrant culinary celebration run amid the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in Queensland, offering a delightful mix of local flavours, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Attendees can enjoy a variety of food stalls featuring gourmet street food, artisan treats, and beverages, including local wines, craft beers, and refreshing non-alcoholic options.
A highlight of the FEASTival is the Flavour Lab, where celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will showcase the region’s best in-season produce through live cooking demonstrations. Additionally, the Butler’s Pantry will offer a selection of artisan foods for tasting and purchase, allowing visitors to meet the passionate makers behind each creation. The event will also feature live performances from local musicians across two stages.
Grenache and Gourmet: The Ultimate Blind Tasting Challenge at Bekkers Wine
Grenache and Gourmet: The Ultimate Blind Tasting Challenge at Bekkers Wine
Indigiearth's Sharon Winsor
Indigiearth's Sharon Winsor
FEASTival
FEASTival
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