Coffs Coast Local Food Futures Part A_Final Report - Coffs Harbour ...

Local Food Futures Project,
NSW ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
Grant Number 2008/USM/0008
Final Report, 15 th August 2012
Summary:
From the perspective of the Bellingen Community Gardens Association and its partners and
stakeholders in Bellingen, this Project has been highly successful. With the focal point of the dynamic
and expanding High School Community garden, the Project has made an important contribution to the
fostering of a strong culture of sustainability and resilience that has emerged in Bellingen in recent
years.
Amongst the many major achievements and highlights, we include the following:
Establishment of a thriving, biodiverse and aesthetically pleased community garden at the
Bellingen High School, thereby enriching the school environmentally and culturally
Ongoing partnerships with the Bellingen High School Principal, teachers and students;
Bellingen Environmental Youth Experience; and Bellingen Shire Council
Working with several local primary schools in Bellingen and Coffs Harbour, as well as
individuals and community groups, to hold fourteen Permablitzes,
Working with the coordinators of the Nambucca Valley Local Food Network, and Coffs
Harbour City Council, to hold two Coffs Coast Local Food Film Festivals, building on two
Bellingen Local Food Film Festivals (2008-9); and with the third Coffs Coast Local Food Film
Festival scheduled for October 2012
Conducting an extensive Local Food Systems Assessment, involving in-depth, semi-structured
interviews with over 30 local farmers and growers, farmers’ representatives, wholesalers,
retailers, and providers of emergency food relief
Contributing to the formation and dissemination of a Local Food Futures framework, which
lays the foundations for embedding a culture of sustainability and resilience around food and
agriculture for local government and other stakeholders in the region.
Activities undertaken during the period (February 2012 – July 2012)
Education & Awareness-Raising