Eco Bello - Local Food Group

Local Food Network

The Bellingen Local Food Network was founded in November 2007 by a group of Bellingen residents motivated by the need to work together co-operatively to maximise the production, distribution and consumption of locally-produced non-chemical fruit and vegetables.

We see our actions as taking place within the global context of the need to act decisively to ensure food security and sustainable food systems for this and future generations in the face of the challenges presented by climate change and Peak Oil.

Our actions are also part of a growing worldwide movement of re-localisation of food systems, not only for reasons of sustainability but also for reasons of justice and equity. Accordingly we support the aims and vision of the movement for Food Sovereignty articulated by La Via Campesina and other Southern-based peasant organisations - see below.

Since May 2008, we have formed part of the Local Food Futures Alliance, a Community-Council-Health Service partnership whose members are working collaboratively to elaborate and implement a Local Food Futures Strategy for the Coffs Coast region. A key task of the Alliance is to establish two community gardens in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen that will be models of sustainable gardening and living.


			Bellingen's Shared Gardening co-operative 'Enjoying a Sunday morning’s work as part of Bellingen’s first shared gardening co-operative are, from left to right, (row one) Noah, Mirabi, Nick, Jude, Julie; (row two) Simon, Fiona, Camilo, Siddhanta; (row three) Vishnu, Carol, Paul and Lior (sitting).'

	Local Food Workshop More enjoyment of the environment and gardening at one of Sid and Aleasa's workshops.

Latest News

Our Global Food news page is being updated regularly. Please visit the link on the right hand menu bar to read what is happening globally in relation to food and food sovereignty issues.

The Second Bellingen Local Food Film Festival will be held over three consecutive Sundays, beginning May 7th and ending June 21st. All films will be held at the Memorial Hall, Hyde Street, Bellingen, commencing 7pm. Tickets available on the door or beforehand at Kombu Wholefoods, Hyde St.

The first film is titled "How to Save the World: One Man, One Cow, One Planet". It is the story of one of the 'fathers' of the biodynamic agriculture movement, New Zealander Peter Proctor, on a journey to India to explore the reasons for the suffering of many small farmers there in recent years, and to offer biodynamic methods as a possible solution. The film will be followed by a discussion panel exploring the challenges and opportunities facing farmers locally.

The second film is titled "The Garden", and it is a moving and impassioned portrayal of the struggles of the members of the largest community garden in the United States, in downtown Los Angeles, to protect their garden in the face of plans by the local council and developers to bulldoze the site.

The final film is titled "Grow Your Own", and is a compassionate and humourous story of the way friendships are built amongst newly arrived refugees and 'native' English gardeners in an allotment garden. This film will be preceded by a live music performance from local ukulele band 'The Desperados' at St Andrew's Church, Hyde St, from 4.45 p.m, then a local, organic vegetarian meal catered by Guru Foods.