Lancefield Neighbourhood House and Food Security

1. Lancefield Neighbourhood Houseand Food Security

2. Food Security the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. (Food security has declined dramatically in many developing countries) • FOOD SOVEREIGNTY asserts the right of peoples to nourishing and culturally appropriate food produced and distributed in ecologically sound and ethical ways, and their right to collectively determine their own food and agriculture systems.

7. Pam WarhurstTed Talk

27. The concept of Community  • Towns have become de-centralised, rather than comprising a community of individual members working together on shared goals and directions, more and more towns are becoming individualised, whereby members don't know their neighbours, don't share common assets nor feel connected to the land around them . In this model people can become isolated which can increase the presence of anti social behavior, depression  and a range of other negative outcomes. In a truly community focused town people from all demographics and ages are able to feel connected and supported and find immense satisfaction in working on shared goals and initiative with others. Organisations such as Feed It Forward connect volunteers, gardeners, professionals and many others providing the glue that bind communities. • Land availability • Within the Macedon ranges ( and more specifically Lancefield) residents have in the past had the good fortune of being able to access affordable large sized blocks of land. With this space comes to opportunity to connect with nature, grow your own fresh fruit, vegetables and livestock in some cases. This however is no longer the norm as larger blocks  are becoming increasing rare and a rapid rate. Those larger blocks which are left are not as affordable and as a consequence many young families and other such community members are reduced to town houses and small blocks not providing room for eatable gardens. There are many many community gardens within cities and large regional centers which have extensive waiting lists of people. Many have to wait a number of years to be able to access a little plot to do what many people had once taken for granted. Lancefield, like many other towns is under the grips of vast urban sprawl. There will come a time where towns similar to Lancefield  will too have more people wanting to join  community gardens than space available. • Climate Change • Regardless of whether climate change is linked to anthropogenic or natural cycles; it is occurring. Consequently pressure on food production ( and it's necessary inputs such as water, nutrients, ect) is increasing. Global food production in it's current intensive state is one of the largest contributers to greenhouse gas emissions. Through simply initiatives such as FIF  food mileage can be significantly reduced, resources can be better utilised ( think compost constituents, labour, ect) and communities can become more resilient in the face of less secure food production and higher food costs. • Health Benefits • The action of growing your own food at a community based level offers many health benefits. The obvious physical nature of gardening provides exercise many individuals wont usually get. The chance to grow food and know ( or choose) exactly what inputs go into the production of the food is powerful. Consumers of food grown at a local level can actively avoid harmful chemicals, or synthetic growth stimulants; a choice not readily afforded to those purchasing food from a supermarket. There is research which brings to light the inherent benefit that consumers of organic 'homegrown'  food receive through exposure to both good and bad microbes. Is is this exposure which strengthens people's immune systems creating healthier more resilient people. Intensive bulk  food is often grown in a sterile hydroponic setups and further chemically sterilised before reaching the consumer offering little if any benefit to bolstering immunity. • Hope this may have been of some assistance. Good Luck

28. Lancefield Neighbourhood Houseand Food Security