29 September 2012

Greens food policy

| johnboy
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One can only imagine the internal debates in the greens as they came up with a food policy which doesn’t call non-vegans murderers.

It seems local food is an end unto itself:

“Canberrans love their fresh, local food. We can see that every weekend here at the Farmers’ Market,” said Caroline Le Couteur, ACT Greens food security spokesperson.

“The benefits of eating more local food are many, including reduced food kilometres, local employment, consumer choice, eating seasonally, and local fresh produce tastes the best too.

I’m sensing a certain circularity there but I like a slow food banquet at least as much as the next man.

This $1.7 million Food Industry Package includes:

— $500,000 for a ‘Growing Community Gardens’ grant program
— $69,000 to convene a Food Roundtable bringing together community expertise to identify food issue priorities and advise government on food and agricultural issues
— $1.2 Million to fund a Food Industry Development Office to implement Food Roundtable proposals for local and regional food programs including:
— $200,000 for an ACT Food Map and Food Futures Plan to identify consumption and production of local and regional food and outline actions for ACT’s future food security
— $160,000 for local and regional producer engagement to develop regional food industry links
— $100,000 for educational materials for backyard gardening

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You will never see from the Greens “Canberrans love their cars. We can see that every morning and afternoon rush hour.”

Oh Lord, ‘food miles’, ‘seasonal produce’, every fallacious cliche in the book.

What do they think we would all be eating if we relied on ACT produce throughout winter? Turnips do tend to pall after a while.

And, for $1.7m, they could throw a slap-up barbie and buffet open to all, which would do a lot more for local food producers and sellers than more bureaucracy, plus putting a smile on the collective dial of voters.

The Greens – Getting It Wrong Every Time.

You could just allow producers and customers to sort it out for themselves, we stock local as much as possible. We managed to set up two shops that support local producers and enable customers to find local produce. It cost the Gov Zero. we have never applied for or recieved any gov funding or support.

Patrick J Pentony
Chairman
Nosan Butsu Choku Bai Jo Pty Ltd
trading as Choku Bai Jo the farmers outlet

Not to mention that the Greens with this “endorse local, minimal food kilometres” policy are cutting ACT region food producers off at the pass regarding food exports to other regions. They can’t have it both ways! They are doing a huge disservice here to local growers and the ACT economy.

Mmmm. Roundtables, plans, strategies, leaflets & flyers.

Move along folks, nothin’ to see here!

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