OzGREEN is hosting seven hands-on food resilience workshops in Bellingen for women and non-binary people aged 16-plus from September to November.
The workshops will be made free to participants through a Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) “Prepare and Recover” grant.
Funded projects are required to support communities in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts or recover from existing disasters.
OzGREEN’s workshops blend practical skills with a social, supportive environment, from breadmaking and rocket stove cooking to foraging walks and preserving produce.
“These workshops are about more than just food skills, they’re about meeting new people, building confidence, and trying something new,” OzGREEN’s Co-CEO Kathleen Hannah said.
“Participants will leave with new skills, new connections and the knowledge that they can provide for themselves and others in any situation.”
Trish Reinten, who was impacted by the recent Macksville flood said, “I’m particularly interested in the rocket stove workshop.
“I didn’t know they even existed… I am excited to see it in action and see how it works.”
The following workshops will be held at Bellingen Showground; places are limited and registration is essential.
– Sprouts and Microgreens on Wednesday 3 September, from 5:30–7:00pm, shares how to grow nutritious greens indoors and enjoy a delicious soup.
– Breadmaking on Thursday 11 September, from 5:30–7:00pm, focuses on how to make three types of bread.
– Preserve, Ferment, Pickle and Jam on Wednesday 17 September, from 5:30–7:00pm, teaches how to preserve seasonal produce.
– Rocket Stove Cooking on Wednesday 1 October, from 5:30–7:00pm, shares how to cook two meals without electricity.
– Perennials Tour on Wednesday 15 October, from 5:00–6:30pm, shows participants to appreciate perennial food plants and how to cook with them.
– Pantry Power on Wednesday 5 November, from 5:30–7:00pm, demonstrates how to buy in bulk, set up a pantry, and make tasty meals from staples.
– Bellingen Forage Walk on Wednesday 19 November, from 5:30–7:00pm, sees participants take a walk locally focusing on how to identify and harvest wild foods.
To register, visit www.ozgreen.org/events.
In addition to these workshops, OzGREEN is also running weekly Volunteer Work Sessions on Tuesdays at its office in Bellingen, offering another pathway for community members to connect, learn, and contribute.
There are two work sessions, 10:30am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 2:00pm.
“Whether people can attend one session or stay for all sessions, these are a great opportunity to lend a hand, meet other volunteers, contribute to OzGREEN’s programs and build confidence and skills in a friendly, supportive environment,” OzGREEN’s Co-CEO Amy Denshire said.
No prior experience is needed, “just a willingness to get involved, learn something new and be part of a team making a difference”.
To register, visit www.ozgreen.org/volunteerworksessions.
By Andrea FERRARI
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