World Vegan Day Picnic

Those of you who came to (or wanted to come to) the Politics of Food discussion group may want to attend World Vegan Day Picnic:

Tuesday, 13 October 2009 09:58

Join Animal Rights Advocates Inc. for a celebration of vegan food and culture on Sunday 1 November - World Vegan Day! 12-4pm, Sunday 1 November Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth

For more information, go to the Animal Rights Advocates website.

Resources on the Politics of Food

Many of the participants in the Politics of Food dinner and discussion shared ideas about food production, consumption and the ways in which we can become more responsible consumers and active citizens. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event.

I have begun to compile a list of resources based on the Politics of Food discussion. If you have resources to add to this list, please do so by posting a comment. Also, be sure and check out the recommended reading list, which appears in a previous blog post.

Fresh Food Markets in Western Australia Women’s Health Services compiled this list earlier this year. New this week is the Subiaco Farmers Market at Subiaco Primary School.

Fremantle Environmental Resource Network (FERN) is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to knowledge-sharing about living sustainably. FERN is based at the community garden space on the corner of High street and Montreal Street in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Living Smart is a community environmental education program that empowers participants with the knowledge and skills to take action to improve the sustainability of their homes and their community.

The Meeting Place provides adult community education, community support and is home to the Fremantle Volunteer Service.

Animal Rights Advocates is a volunteer-run not for profit animal rights organisation based in Perth, Western Australia that campaigns for the abolition of animal exploitation.

Australian City Farms and Community Gardens

The Institute for Food and Development Policy/Food First seeks to shape how people think by analyzing the root causes of global hunger, poverty, and ecological degradation and developing solutions in partnership with movements working for social change.

Slow Food International

Guest Speakers, The Politics of Food

We currently have three speakers lined up for The Politics of Food. Each speaker will give a brief introduction to the issues they're concerned with, and participate in the discussion that follows. Our speakers are:

Lynn MacLaren, MLC, The Greens (WA)
Lynn's work spans a wide range of portfolios, including food and GMOs. She has recently been active in campaigning against changes to WA's agricultural policy which allow the introduction of GM crop trials.

Louise Edmonds, Coconvenor, Fremantle Environmental Resource Network
Louise will be speaking about her personal education surrounding the politics of food, including her experiences visiting farms in India and working with Dr Vandana Shiva. She will also give a brief introduction to FERN's work.

Sky Croeser, UWA, Bluestocking Institute
I will be giving a short guide to the complex relationship between our choices as consumers and the global structures of food production.

While each speaker will introduce some fascinating points for discussion, ultimately the evening depends on your participation. We hope that everyone who comes down will feel comfortable talking about their own experiences and areas of expertise, and asking questions of others. Hope to see you there!

Good, clean and fair: small, slow food in a big food nation

Those of you coming to our 'Politics of Food' event may also be interested in a talk the evening before by Carlo Petrini, organised by Slow Food Perth.

CARLO Petrini, Slow Food’s founder and international president, will deliver a free public lecture at the University of Western Australia during a one-day visit to Perth. Hear the man described by The Guardian as ‘one of the 50 people who could save the planet’ – and a Time European hero – talk about ‘good, clean and fair’ food and the challenges that face the world of food.

Date: 14th October, 2009
Time: 5:00pm for 5:15pm
Venue: MCS Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia Crawley campus [nearest carpark No. 14, off Fairway, or along Myers Street]