FARMER ON YOUR PLATE AT ESPLANADE

All kinds of food, prepared by great chefs, is part of the FREE Farmer On Your Plate event on the Fremantle Esplanade this Saturday November 4. It is on from 10am to 4pm, so combine it with viewing many of the Fremantle Biennale shows around town.

Roel Loopers

WILL FREMANTLE PORTS TUG OPERATORS BE LOCKED OUT?

If tug boat operator Svitzer comes good on their threat to lock out 582 striking workers this Friday, it could have a big impact on the arrival of Christmas goods into Fremantle Port.

Worst even could be that the export at Kwinana of the bumper grain crop from WA could be delayed, and that could be disastrous for our farmers.

The tug of war is going to the Industrial Commission today, so let hope that common sense prevails and that both parties are aware that they have a responsibility to the Australian public.

Roel Loopers

SUPPORT FREO’S STRAWBERRY SUNDAY!

 

 

Brilliant idea!

Fremantle will become strawberry central this Sunday in a show of support for WA strawberry growers.

25,000 punnets of local strawberries will be delivered to restaurants and cafes along the Cappuccino Strip, who will be encouraged to create strawberry-inspired dishes and give away strawberries to customers.

Fremantle-based strawberry distributor John Da Silva said Strawberry Sunday was a way for people to show their support for local growers affected by the strawberry contamination scare.

“We’ve got 20 tonnes of strawberries that have been donated from local growers to make this event happen,” Mr Da Silva said.

“Getting lots of people down to Freo on Sunday to enjoy our beautiful WA strawberries would be a fantastic demonstration of confidence in our local industry and a real boost for the growers who are doing it tough at the moment.”

Mayor Brad Pettitt said the City of Fremantle was happy to support Strawberry Sunday.

“Fremantle is famous for its fabulous restaurants and cafes, and I’m sure they’ll be able to come up with some amazing new recipes using fresh WA strawberries,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Everyone is welcome to come down to Freo for Strawberry Sunday to show the world that WA strawberries are not only safe to eat, they’re also absolutely delicious!”

The City is also planning a range of family-friendly activities, including face painting, live music and more.

Strawberry Sunday is on this Sunday from 12 noon until 3pm.

For more information visit Strawberry Sunday on the What’s On page on the City of Fremantle website.

FREO FOOD REVOLUTION

Robert Peters of FREO FOOD was the second speaker at Monday’s Fremantle Network event at the National Hotel, and the concept of the community having more control over the food chain by purchasing from small growers and farmers is very interesting.

“It is a platform to regain ownership of our food system to build connections with producers and each other to revolutionise how we engage with food.”

Unfortunately it was not very well communicated how it worked and how the idea can grow without becoming another fresh food shop. At the moment there is a depot but Robert did not mention where that is, so I assume we’ll have to check out the Facebook page to find out more, but he did mention that food could become more expensive once they went into a brick and mortar venture.

Better quality food produced by local producers but 10-15 per cent cheaper than the shops sounds almost too good, but the future will tell if that is sustainable.

I am not sure also if Food Freo is a not for profit group, but one can also go to houses and buy products there direct from those who grow vegies in their gardens.

Blueberries from Jandakot, pork and other meat from Margaret River, eggs from a couple who started a small egg farm, bread, root vegetables and lettuce, mushrooms, fish, local garlic. It all sounds great, and Robert said it was “really value for farmers and consumers.”

I was surprised though to hear that the group is now thinking of including craft from local artisans as that is a whole different kettle of fish, and my impression was that there are a lot of unresolved business issues the group should sort out first before expanding and sell anything else.

For that same reason I am at loss why Freo Food applied for a six-month lease of the No 1 studio at J Shed in the Bathers Beach Art Precinct. I am not at all sure how a food business does fit in with any of the criteria for that art area.

Anyhow, it is a great idea to buy direct from producers and if it can become a viable business good on them!

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE PORT SALE IN JEOPARDY

red bow of ship with tug boat

cruise liner diamond prncess entering fremantle port, fremantle, western australia, australia

container ship passing a lighhouse at Fremantle ports, western australia, australia

 

The planned State Government $1,1 billion fire sale of Fremantle Port is in jeopardy as the National Party has indicated they might block the sale because of fear that farmers will be slugged with much higher fees for live exports.

After the controversial sale of the Darwin port to a Chinese company the Federal government has also indicated they want stricter controls to make sure there are no national security risks.

Time will tell if the Nationals will support the sale and if a buyer can be found, and also if that all can happen before next year’s State election. It is doubtful a Labor government would go ahead with the asset sales, but they will be struggling to implement Maxrail and likely other major election promises because W.A. is deep in the red.

Here a few photos I have taken over many years on assignments for Fremantle Ports.

Roel Loopers

TWO GREAT FARMERS MARKETS THIS WEEKEND

There are two great local farmers markets on this long WA DAY long weekend, so go and buy some great fresh produce, network with your community, drink yummie coffee and eat delicious food while listening to live music.

This Saturday the COOBY FARMERS MARKET is on from 9am-2pm at the Len Packham Reserve on Waverley Road Coolbellup, and on Sunday the traditional first Sunday of the month HUGE Fremantle GROWERS GREEN MARKETS are on from 8am to noon at the South Fremantle Senior High School at Lefroy Road. There is art and craft, bread, pastries, meat, fish, food stalls forgreat breakfast, facepainting, music, and it is a lot of fun.

Local markets give one a great sense of belonging to one’s community and are a great way of catching up with friends and neighbours in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere, so take advantage of them.

Roel Loopers

PAINTED FISH MOVIES

A MESSAGE FROM MY FRIENDS AT THE PAINTED FISH:

Friday JUNE 17th FRESH The Painted Fish Winter Movie Program. Now at CUSP in Fremantle Curtin University of Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute #3 Pakenham Street in Fremantle (Please note this venue is not heated so bring your winter beanies, hot water bottles and body shaped insulation!) The pizza oven will be fired up at 6pm so bring along toppings to share, bases will be available for a donation. The movie will start at 7.30pm New thinking about what we are eating.

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re- inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences : food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of out food and our planet. Fresh addresses an ethos that has been sweeping the nation and is a call to action America has been waiting for. http://www.FRESHthemovie.com This move goes for about an hour.

And check out what is coming up – on the third Friday of every month. Mark these dates in your diary NOW! Friday JULY 14th  BAG IT IS your life too plastic? Bag It has been garnering awards at film festivals across the nation. What started as a documentary about plastic bags evolved into a wholesale investigation into plastics and their effect on our waterways, oceans, and even our bodies. Join the Bag It movement and decide for yourself how plastic your life will be. http://www.bagitmovie.com Friday AUGUST 19th SEED HUNTER Seed Hunter is a highly entertaining documentary about a topic that is vital for the future of the planet: finding seeds that may help save the world from its greatest ever crisis – a global food shortage brought about by human-induced climate change. http://www.seedhunter.com

Friday SEPTEMBER 16th Sustainable Flicks from Freo Come and celebrate sustainability in Freo with a series of short movies about our town and what is happening. More information coming soon!

Friday OCTOBER 21st Astro Turf Wars From the Tea Parties to the healthcare and climate wars, America’s conservative citizens have revolted against the Obama agenda. But are these grassroots actions in fact examples of ‘astroturfing’? – The practice of manufacturing citizens groups for the purpose of delivering corporate messages. Curious to find out, Australian filmmaker Taki Oldham went undercover to investigate. What he found was astroturfing on a scale greater than he could have imagined, threatening not only the health of American democracy, but that of its citizens and the planet as a whole. http://www.astroturfwars.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT SHANI ON 0417 941 991 stay@thepaintedfish.com.au or go to http://thepaintedfish.com.au/learning-about-sustainability/come-and-learn/hulbert-street-movies/