Podcast

Today's show is just so good you will want to keep a copy so you can listen to it again and again. You can download your copy, or whip over to iTunes where you can subscribe and never miss a show!

This week Passionfruiit and Chilli joins local baker Dave as he talks about making organic bread, revisit Mayfield Farm and Pete Bufo shares a recipe for garlic fried wontons as well as a bonus recipe for nettle beer.

Mayfield Farm

For the first time ever we are repeating a chat but the trip to the Open Day at Mayfield Farm was well worth a second visit. If you would like to visit Mayfield Farm for yourself, the Spring Open day is scheduled for Saturday 13 October 2012. You can email Ian and Sandra for more information.

The can download a copy of the program here.

Woodfire Bread

Tucked into the laneway next to the Federal Hotel is one of Bellingen's real treats - Woodfire Bread. Made organically using traditional methods the bread from here is a real joy - and the way bread should be. It is a bonus that Woodfire Bread preference local food when sourcing ingredients.

You can also stop in at the cafe for a coffee, a snack or light meal or grab one of the delicious chef-baked pies as a takeaway.

Stay tuned as their website is being launched at the end of the month. Drop in to the bakery if you are in town or catch them at Toast Urunga on Sunday 2 September 2012.

You can also catch what will hopefully be the first chat of many with owner and baker Dave through the download.

Passionfruit Podcast

Passionfruit and Chilli dishes up some real treats today with a taste of Toast Urunga, a drop of Bago Vineyards and Pete Bufo continues his world tour of food with a visit to Greece.

You can download the show here or head over to iTunes, subscribe and never miss an episode!

Transition Bellingen

Transition Bellingen is hosting a number of food related workshops in the coming weeks - check out the website for details on beekeeping, wild fermentation, jams and preserves, identifying and using edible plants and weeds and cheese making.

Bookmark the page, or subscribe to their weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with all the the interesting Transition Bellingen projects, as well as those of other like-minded community groups.

Toast Urunga

In an area where we are spoilt for choice in ways to celebrate food Toast Urunga still remains a highlight as a real celebration of food, music and wine.

Held on Father's Day each year, Toast Urunga has something for the whole family from a vintage car display, bungee trampolines, arts and crafts, music of all genres and of course food, food and more food, Check out the website for a complete list.

With flavors from around the world, highlights from local producers, guest chefs and tastings galore there is something for every palate.

Toast Urunga
Where: Morgo Street Reserve
When: Sunday 2 September 2012 from 10 am - 4 pm
How Much: $2 per adult, children are free

Tune in to Steve Allen introducing us to Toast Urunga 2012 and join us in the kitchen over the next few weeks as we meet some of the people who will be at Toast Urunga this year,

Bago Vineyards

A visit to Bago Vineyards is a real treat with a vista worthy of postcards, jazz on the second Sunday of each month, a cafe and of course the wines!

Coming later this year is the opening of the lillypilly maze with over 2 km of pathways.

And if that isn't enough, their environmental policy is enough to make many of their competitors sit up and take note. The bottle return policy (take back a Bago Vineyards bottle when you buy the next one and receive a $1 discount) is particularly innovative but there is also the use of solar power, the recycling of waste and the rainforest regeneration are all worthy of note.

Visit Bago Vinery in Wauchope, find them at this year's Toast Urunga or buy online.

Hear Jim chat with Pearl on today's Passionfruit and Chilli.

New Business Promotes Local Produce

New Orleans used to have one of the largest public market systems in the U.S., with farmers routinely selling their produce directly to the consuming public. But public markets across the country have drastically declined in the past 50 years, giving way to supermarkets packed with mass-produced foods. Now a new metro area company called Jack and Jake's aims to revive a focus on fresh, local products by marketing and distributing local foods to stores and restaurants throughout the city.

Jack and Jakes picks up fresh produce from farms and delivers it to local buyers, making it easier for local growers to get their products into area markets, hospitals and schools. Everything that is picked is delivered on the same day.

The business is the brainchild of John Burns, who grew up on the Northshore surrounded by local growers and producers.

"Local growers have a better product that comes at a better price," Burns said. "It's about giving growers a commitment and giving them access to markets. They can produce."

New Orleans has always been a place of food, and Louisiana is a great state for local farmers because of the diversity of food that can be grown here, Burns said. Support for local foods is also growing, Burns said.

C.C. Gaiennie has owned his own farm for almost a decade, which was certified as organic in 2004. He grows blueberries, apples, figs and much more on the Northshore. Being a certified organic farm means he doesn't use chemicals on the produce he grows.

"We're not a conventional farm," he said. "You have to love this business otherwise you wouldn't be in it."

Gaiennie said the only places people can get local products are the farmers' markets. He used to take his product to the farmers' market but stopped because he felt he was wasting food. Anything that he picked and didn't sell that day had to be thrown out because he refuses to ship day-old produce.

"We want it to hit the store fresh, with our name on it," he said. "We're proud of what we do, we have a unique operation."

Large chain grocery stores buy items in bulk, pounds at a time.

"Everything is in such volume," Gaiennie said. "That's not where the quality is."

As a result, he doesn't see local food in grocery stores.

"It's a win-win for the producers to have more distribution points," he said. "It opens up marketplaces and brings in income."

You can read the full article by DiAngelea Millar published at nola.com. You can also go to the Jack and Jake website.


Image from Jack and Jakes website

More Great News From Canada

Canadians willing to pay more for local food: Study

Ontarians and British Columbians are willing to pay more for local wine, fruits, vegetables and meat products than any other province, a survey released on the weekend says.

It also found that Albertans are the most likely to buy local when they shop for beef and that Quebecers are the most likely to buy their local food from fruit and vegetable stands.

"BMO research suggests that Canadians are becoming increasingly loyal to the notion of buying local food, particularly fruits and vegetables, cheese, beef and poultry. Consumers appreciate the quality of food produced by local farm families and recognize the importance of supporting an agricultural sector that accounts for one in eight jobs in Canada," David Rinneard, a spokesman for BMO Bank of Montreal, said in a statement.

The study also revealed that Canadians are most likely to buy Canadian food products when grocery shopping for vegetables (91%), fruit (86%), poultry (84%), cheese (81%), and beef (78%).

Those surveyed cited the number one benefit for buying Canadian food is supporting Canadian producers. Freshness, the environment and safety were also recognized as top benefits.

Check out the original article in the Toronto Sun.

Image: "Farmers Market Produce" by Lady Au Pair

Food Day Canada

The push to eat healthy and opt for locally sourced home-cooked meals received national attention on Saturday as chefs and restaurants across the country marked the ninth annual Food Day Canada.

The brainchild of food writer Anita Stewart, Food Day Canada promotes Canadian ingredients, celebrates Canadian farmers and food producers and praises the many restaurateurs and home cooks who make use of the bounty growing in their backyard.

Robinson is among the dozens of local food producers who display their homegrown offerings every Saturday at the farmers’ market on Icomm Drive in Brantford. On Food Canada Day, shoppers filled the bustling market looking for fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade bread, local cheese and other delicacies for their dinner tables.

“It’s our generation’s responsibility to grow local, organic produce for the generations to come so it’ll be sustainable,” Robinson said.

One of Food Day Canada’s advocacy goals is for retailers to carry more Canadian products.


Check out the complete story written by J.P. Antonacci at Brant News or the Food Day Canada website for more information (and inspiration) or like the Facebook page.

Image from the Food Day Canada Facebook page