BUILDING a sustainable local food system across the Mid North Coast is a plan that is being actioned step-by-step by invested locals and driven by OzGREEN.

Food growers, producers, retailers, distributors and consumers are all working together to create a thriving local food system, beginning in Bellingen Shire and spreading up and down the Coffs Coast.

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“Over the last six months a diverse range of local people have attended workshops and contributed to creating a Bellingen Shire Food Resilience Vision and Action Plan for the next ten years,” Partnerships Manager at OzGREEN, Anna Juodvalkis, told News Of The Area.

“The end result is an inspiring set of food systems goals that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.”

One of the exciting actions listed in the plan is to raise the profile of local food by providing opportunities for people to participate in local experiential events such as farm tours, long lunches, food fairs and harvest festivals.

“What better way to launch the new vision than to do so at one of these events,” said Anna.

The Food Resilience Vision will be showcased at a community event at Levenvale Farm in Valery on World Environment Day, Sunday 5 June from 10am to 12pm.

“Levenvale Farm is a stunning local property that practices regenerative agriculture and produces a delicious local product, marketed as Bello Beef,” said Anna.

People who attend the community event will also enjoy a Bello Beef barbeque brunch and a tour of the farm if weather permits.

“As parents and consumers we certainly are concerned about the state of our food system and resilience,” Georgina Baker, owner at Levenvale Farm, told NOTA.

“We are privileged to be in a position where we can grow our own organic food through regenerative farming practices.

“We believe growing a greater diversity of pasture allows a higher nutritional feed for our animals, therefore creating a more nutrient dense product for us and for our community to consume.

“We are huge advocates for localised food systems, supporting local growers and producers and also enabling land sharing and resources.

“We believe through a regenerated and rehabilitated ecosystem, we better prepare ourselves for environmental threats and through a stronger localised food system we become a more resilient community,” she said.

Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan told NOTA, “Bellingen Shire is known as much for its quality agriculture sector as for its incredible environment, arts and culture.

“This Food Resilience Vision forges the creative, innovative and future-minded spirit of our Shire’s residents with the diverse and experienced growers and primary producers of the region.

“The Vision and Action Plan will support producers, and everyone involved in our local food system, to prepare and adapt to the changing climate and the risks and opportunities that climate change presents,” said Steve.

Spaces for this event are limited and registrations are essential.

Please visit www.ozgreen.org/foodresiliencevision to fill out the event registration form or contact anna@ozgreen.org.au for further information.

By Andrea FERRARI