Open Food Network Australia

📣 Food Subsidy Pilot Webinar - Key Speaker Announcement 📣 We're pleased to introduce two distinguished speakers for our upcoming Food Subsidy Project webinar: - Georgia Savage - The Community Grocer, Victoria, Australia - Sara Rock - Tamar Food Hubs, UK These industry leaders bring extensive expertise in their work around community food systems development. Both speakers will discuss their work supporting the role out of food voucher projects in their communities and will share the knowledge and learning they gained in the process. Their insights will be invaluable for professionals in food policy, community development, and social services. We'll be announcing two additional speakers shortly, completing our panel of experts. This webinar presents a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge from successful community food initiatives. Don't miss this chance to engage with thought leaders in the field. Register now via: https://lnkd.in/gQ6eEQSW Image credit: Baw Baw Food Hub, The Community Grocer, Tamar Food Hub

Have you seen this amazing opportunity to attend the #REGENERATE conference in the US through our partner Macdoch Foundation? Applications close 30 August so if you are eligible, be quick to apply and make sure you don’t miss the chance to attend and join a network of global regenerative leaders. Please tag anyone in your network who should apply 🌱

Join us for the first session of our Food Subsidy Pilot Project webinar series! We're pleased to announce our first webinar on September 18th, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM AEST. This session will explore our innovative approach to improving financial access to food through community food enterprises across Victoria. Key focus areas: - Introducing the pilot program and objectives and methodology - Learning from those working directly in various food security programs - Building shared knowledge among community and industry leaders and policymakers This webinar offers valuable insights for: - Community food and health organisations - Food security professionals - Government officials in public health and social services - Potential funders and partners in the food system sector A panel of guest speakers will share their experiences and insights from successful initiatives across Australia and the UK. Stay tuned for the full line-up announcement. To learn more about the project and register for the webinar, please visit https://bit.ly/3yI0PrO. To keep up to date with all things Food Subsidy Pilot Project sign up to our project mailing list via our project page. https://lnkd.in/gy8dTKup

Webinars coming up 1. CER Readiness https://lnkd.in/eaep_DE7 2. Regen Digital Briefing (Sophisticated Investors ONLY) https://lnkd.in/eZV-KuYJ 3. Carbon Neutral Cattle https://lnkd.in/enk52dnD Matt Egerton-Warburton Andrew Jones Christophe Bur Rohan Clarke Alan Beattie

Introducing the Endorsement Partners on Discover Regenerative Our approach for Discover Regenerative considers ecological outcomes, practices, certifications, Endorsement Partners and supporting evidence as forms regenerative assurance and evidence. Building transparent and meaningful pathways for producers to gain endorsement for their regenerative practices and outcomes will increase visibility of the regenerative agriculture sector. Read more about the approach here: https://lnkd.in/gyx7vKaN What is an Endorsement Partner? Endorsement Partners recognise the outcomes, intentions and participation of a range of Producers. Each Partner has a form of assessment process, drawing on their expertise and networks to consider whether a Producer is on the path to regeneration. If a Producer is endorsed by either an Assurance or Eligibility Partner they are eligible to be showcased on Discover Regenerative.⁠ We are currently working closely with two Endorsement Partners. Sustainable Table as an Eligibility Partner - The Sustainable Table Regenerative Map provides an eligibility pathway for producers wanting to be showcased on Discover Regenerative. The Sustainable Table Regenerative Map features farming and food businesses from across the regenerative sector. To be featured on the map, businesses must complete a self-assessment form that is reviewed by the Sustainable Table team. The assessment process focuses on transparency, trust and relationships. This process is not equivalent to certification or on-site verification. Their team does not seek perfection, but rather sincere commitment and indication of being on the regenerative journey. All are eligible to be featured on the Map provided their practices are well-known and backed in the industry, or they have a referee that can validate their regenerative practices and intentions in working towards better farming practices and outcomes. Australian Holistic Management Co-operative (AHMC) as an Assurance Partner - AHMC will provide assurance if Producers are a current members of the AHMC and have also obtained an Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) for the current season on the land that they are monitoring. This means that land being monitored annually through the third-party service provided by AHMC, is achieving ecological outcomes and improvements. ⁠AHMC will also provide assurance if they have achieved the Land to Market Seal verification. This credential means that the producer has obtained EOV *and* has completed the Land to Market (L2M) chain of custody process that connects the food or fibre with the landscape that is improving. So the products being sold are from the land that has obtained EOV. For leading sector organisations or businesses that already offers services that could confidently endorse Producers as regenerative, please see how you can get involved with Discover Regenerative: https://lnkd.in/eptB5Kk6 Image credit: AHMC

Project Announcement! Equitable Access to Regenerative and Local Food At Open Food Network, we believe everyone should have access to locally grown, regenerative produce - regardless of income. As living costs rise, building equity in our food system becomes even more crucial. We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Food Subsidy Pilot Project, made possible by a grant from the Citi Global Innovation Challenge! This innovative initiative aims to co-create a food voucher system allowing food insecure households across Victoria to access and redeem vouchers for locally sourced, nutritious food through a local Community Food Enterprise. In collaboration with Sustainable Table and Community Food Enterprises, we're working to strengthen community food systems by making regenerative food and short food supply chains financially accessible to more people and communities. Throughout the project, we will be hosting webinars (first one in August!) to share updates and gather insights. Stay tuned for more details! To learn more and sign up for our newsletter, visit https://lnkd.in/gy8dTKup and follow our socials @openfoodnetworkaus. Image credit: Baw Baw Food Hub

With Discover Regenerative now live, we wanted to share more of the nuts and bolts of how we are approaching the diverse world that is regenerative agriculture. With no clear definition and the ongoing debate of what is / isn’t regenerative agriculture, one thing that does seem to be agreed upon, is that regeneration is a journey. Producers are at different stages: some have been leaders in this space for decades, some are taking the first steps and on the right track towards improvement. Working closely with a number of leading regenerative agriculture organisations in Australia, we have developed an approach to providing Assurance that recognises this diversity, rewarding proven achievement whilst also supporting entry and improvement. Read more from Kirsten Larsen on Regenerative Assurance and Evidence and the different types of credentials showcased on Discover Regenerative: https://lnkd.in/gyx7vKaN Search the Directory to see the credentials of showcased producers: https://lnkd.in/g_wCQSYJ Image courtesy of: Beermullah Beef on Yued Country, Western Austraia

“The latest report from FoodPrint Melbourne contributes to the evidence base for supporting increased, targeted action in the area of food security at Federal and State level… we want government to be responding to recommendations from this comprehensive work by FoodPrint” - Serenity Hill, co-founder Open Food Network Australia Well done to the FoodPrint team, Rachel Carey, Maureen Murphy, PhD, Tara Behen Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/ghVZyPfv

The cost of living crisis is undoubtedly squeezing the fresh food budgets of households across Australia. Fortunately, there are growing opportunities for consumers to access fresh food through more localised and independent food initiatives. This enables budget-conscious consumers to shop outside of the major supermarket chains that are currently under the ACCC spotlight regarding their pricing and competitiveness. A recent Good Food article highlights alternatives to major supermarkets that can save consumers up to 40% - like using price comparison apps, embracing imperfect produce, and buying direct from local networks. Initiatives such as The Community Grocer and our very own Open Food Network platform are featured. Community food enterprises connect households with affordable, fresh produce 🍎🥕🥬 straight from local farmers and producers. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gtUWVAsu We also want to share the following case studies that highlight further innovative approaches to keeping the costs of good food down for consumers: Bulk buying groups can enable access to more affordable pricing. Check out the Westies Dry Goods Group model: https://lnkd.in/g5kbmAFp EDIGROCER is a food business in South Eastern Melbourne, Victoria passing on savings to their communities through building a simple business model, streamlined operations and minimal packaging. Learn more about their model: https://lnkd.in/grEaaahZ By supporting innovative approaches and collaborations that invest in local food networks, it is possible to have beneficial outcomes for household food budgets while building a more sustainable food system. Image credit: The Community Grocer, Westies Dry Goods Group, EDIGROCER

Discover Regenerative is now live! 🥳 Start exploring now 👉 regenerative.org.au Hear from our food systems project manager Prudence Rothwell who has been working on the Discover Regenerative Portal initiative over the past year. Discover Regenerative is a growing showcase of Australia's regenerative farmers, their products and the diverse range of progress and outcomes being achieved as they work towards regenerative on the land they are stewarding. The Portal provides B2B buyers with a comprehensive and coherent view of the regenerative ag sector. Discover Regenerative makes it easy for buyers to directly connect with truly regenerative producers. We will be continuing to work closely with both Buyers and Producers in the coming months — the Portal is a starting place to build demand and access for regenerative produce. If you want to speak with Prue directly about Discover Regenerative, please email [email protected] Discover Regenerative is powered by us here at Open Food Network Australia, in collaboration with supporting partners Sustainable Table, Australian Holistic Management Co-op (Regenerative Outcomes), Soils for Life, Regen Farmers Mutual, Organic & Regenerative Investment Co-operative, Australian Organic Limited, Southern Cross Certified, Farmer's Footprint Australia, Regenerative Ag Alliance This initiative is supported by the Macdoch Foundation.