The art of growing and eating delicious, nutritious, local food! S24, Ep31

On this EarthChat, Chloe Fox, Brontë Haines, and Nelly Watson chat with Ruth of their passion, commitment and creativity in bringing yummy affordable local seasonal produce from farm to plate.To produce a healthy and creative feedback loop that ensures sustainable reciprocity means we must take care of the earth. And in the process we get to witness the beauty of how plants grow alongside the invaluable contribution made by micro organisms, insects, and birds in this marvelous reciprocal loop.Growing and eating local food also creates community. We come together to share and swap the abundance of what we grow and inevitably conversations ensue about how delicious freshly picked fruit and veggies taste, and the many ways the entire plant can be eaten, along with learning about lesser known produce including native bush food and how to prepare it. Lots of recipe ideas, etc…..Gastronomy, the study of the relationship between food and culture, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and the science of good eating goes only part of the way.Chloe Fox brings a wealth of growing experience from running Somerset Heritage Produce, a small scale cooperative organic market garden based in Seymour Victoria. Located on the banks of the Waring (Goulburn) River. “We grow according to organic principles and focus on soil health and biodiversity.  We grow primarily heirloom varieties, our vegetables are delicious, full of nutrients and grown and harvested with love and care. We embrace the unique and diverse beauty of our vegetables”.Brontë Haines is generally in the garden. Fair Food & Wildflowers store in Avenel is where her love for growing, food security, and caring for her home, on Taungurung Grey Box Grassy Woodland, intertwine. She has a degree in nutrition and a Masters in environmental restoration. She has worked researching the experience of food insecurity among people seeking asylum, as well as among people accessing food charity in Victoria. When not at the store she is at Euroa Arboretum tending the grounds and the little plants.Nelly Watson is currently part of a team that helps Brontë run Avenel Fair Food and Wildflowers. Her other roles include sourcing and ordering products for local venues who are passionate about using and promoting locally sourced ingredients/products. She has been a delivery driver for the Open Food Network's experimental, small producer focused logistics project, 'Open Road’, and she is part of a team of coordinators for the Strathbogie Local Food Hub, a Euroa based, community led initiative to support local producers during Covid. She describes herself as being fortunate to work in the local food scene since moving to the Strathbogie Ranges 8 years ago where she hangs out in a self built tiny house on wheels in the foothills among the stringy barks, critters and granite outcrops. Nelly also works at the Euroa Arboretum as part of the Bush Crew.This is a lively and enlightening ‘foodie’ romp introducing us to delicious new vegetables, native foods, and the utter delights of growing and eating fresh seasonal produce, along with the many ways we can care for the earth while doing so. Food, Glorious Food!