Broken Systems and Empty Plates

If you are here, you probably already know somewhere in your heart that there is something wrong with our current food system. In today’s world, the challenges of food security, fragile supply chains, and the environmental impact of industrial agriculture are more concerning than ever.

Personally speaking, I have always loved gardening and the magic of watching a tiny seed turn into something delicious. However a busy career put homegrown food in the background for a long time. The desire to eat healthy food never left but the search for delicious, fresh, local produce was disappointing. Readily available options lacked the flavour I expected. Produce came from near and far picked early, stored for months and ripened artificially. The same old varieties at every turn. Going limp, lifeless or rotten within days of purchase.

Food system issues became more apparent as COVID hit followed by a series of extreme weather events. The weaknesses of our current systems were exposed. In particular, the fragility of our food supply chains became incredibly evident as supermarket shelves ran empty or food could not be transported easily due to roads being destroyed. The cost of living sky rocketed and in our region where many already survive on very little, the impact has been high.

Time for Action

There comes a time when you can no longer sit back and wait for someone else to deal with the issues that you see in the world. When you realise that someone needs to stand up and make some changes. And that you are indeed ‘someone’.

So here I am, dreaming of fostering a thriving local food system built on placing people and the planet ahead of profits. For people to know where their food is coming from, how to grow it, harvest it and prepare it. Utilising growing methods that allow for food to be produced in backyards, parks, community gardens and public spaces. Spaces where food, skills and resources are shared freely. And perhaps most importantly, I envision a community that grows and thrives alongside the plants.

It is an extraordinarily big task, so where do we start?

Starting Small

In my experience, the key to any major undertaking is to start small and grow and I’ve heard from plenty of experts who agree. After all “from little things, big things grow”. So while Grow It Local has lofty long term ambitions, time, resources and long held wisdom dictate that the project will be starting with the little things.

Initially the focus will be in three key areas which are outlined below.

It is a lot to achieve, especially with just a small amount of funding but fingers crossed that will change over the course of the year as we grow and develop more products to sell, seek further funding and gather support from all the wonderful people out there who believe that we deserve a functioning food system where everyone deserves delicious, healthy food on their plates at every meal.