The first area of our work that is being profiled in the campaign is Food Security. The campaign builds on some very exciting work by the University of Melbourne’s Victorian Eco Innovation Lab (VEIL). Over the past two years the Foundation has funded VEIL’s FoodPrint project, which has mapped Melbourne’s food bowl. Melbourne and its peri-urban fringe is responsible for 47% of the vegetables produced in Victoria and has the capacity to meet around 41% of the city's total food needs, which is something to celebrate!
The work of Cultivating Community in encouraging and supporting communities to grow their own food, share with others across cultures, and learn about healthy cooking is truly inspiring.
However, with a changing climate, the need to drought proof our food bowl and a growing population, the Melbourne community needs to build a shared vision for our sustainable food system.
We are delighted that Costa Georgiadis from the ABC’s Gardening Australia agreed to be our ambassador for the Foundation’s work in food security, sustainable food systems and reducing food waste. We could not have a more informed or motivational ambassador – thank you so much Costa. I listened with complete admiration as Costa spoke about sustainable food without drawing breath. He has a profound knowledge and commitment that will help drive the success of this campaign. The video made for us by social enterprise, Momentary, in which we both feature can be found on the Foundation’s website.
I encourage everyone to support Changing Melbourne for Good as we approach the end of the financial year. Let’s celebrate what collective community giving can achieve.
Together we can change Melbourne for good.
Catherine Brown
Chief Executive Officer