03.12.2020
From September 14-21, 2020, COOLmob teamed up with GULP NT to run the Top End Local Food Challenge, celebrating the abundance of food that grows in our own Top End backyard! The initiative challenged people to make the switch to eating local, as not only is it good for the planet but it also supports local farmers and food producers AND means eating a lot more healthily.
Local food was defined as "Top End' so from below Katherine to Tiwi Islands- but as local as possible was encouraged.
GULP NT collaborated with Inspired NT to created a booklet, The Science Behind Tropical Local Food, and an at home growing kit to help people get started with growing their own food.
"Thank you for the inspiration and the knowledge to grow and eat local produce with the Food Challenge. It gave us a goal to aim for, an event to be a part of and others to connect with. We really appreciated the STEM kit. It was so well put together and easy to access."
"A great initiative that prompts people to examine and re-evaluate the true sustainability of their food, and encourages shopping and purchasing local. Positives for everyone all round!"
"I loved this challenge. Getting the veggie box from AG was an easy way to participate. I got very creative cooking up veggies some winning recipes according to the kids were my pumpkin and black bean enchiladas and roasted eggplant san chow bau."
"It was great week! I was grateful for what I harvested in my garden more than ever and felt a beautiful connection to other participants in this challenge although I didn’t have any technological or physical contact with them. It really made me happy when I thought of other likeminded people doing the same challenge with great intention."
"This was a great initiative that inspired discoveries of local food, new tastes and recipes and conversations with others. I was excited and more inventive when planning and making meals. More aware of food miles and food waste now. Developed a love for okra and eggplant (didn't think that would happen!) and cooked with banana peel! Appreciated the workshops beforehand and sharing of knowledge throughout. Thank you!"
Data collected from participants when they signed onto the challenge and post challenge demonstrates a community desire for more education around growing local tropical foods, the need for stronger policy in the Top End supporting small scale farming, food security, local food resilience and education to students and adults.
Participants were invited to join GULP NT as volunteers to help develop a 5 year strategic plan. This is currently underway.
COOLmob have been lucky to Timothy Palmer, a Clean Technology, Sustainability and Environmental scientist from Flinders University in South Australia undertaking a placement with ECNT and COOLmob for 5 weeks over Nov/Dec. Tim is undertaking a project focusing on "Food Security and Sustainability in the NT" and writing a research report to hopefully lay the foundations for a dedicated Food Security Policy in the NT. The scope of the project is large and will focus on "Threats and Opportunities" to food security and sustainability, including sections on
Accessibility to healthy and affordable food in remote indigenous communities;
Food distribution during times of crisis such as cyclones, pandemics etc;
Sustainable agriculture, including responsible water and land use;
Encouraging households and communities to grow more of their own fruit and vegetables;
Recommending for leaders and stakeholders to adopt policies or strategies to deal with food insecurity, and to implement sustainable agricultural practices into the future.
We'll be sharing his work with you once complete via our website, and will be using it to help advocate for stronger policy in the NT.