Is eating a challenge?

It may have been if you were one of the 50 people who participated in the Local Harvest Challenge from 1st - 7th April. Find out how they went as they tried to eat more locally for a week. Some blogs ...
• Agness "on the farm", Bocoble NSW
• Kate & Michael “Michael is hungry”, NT
• Fiona "lavender ice-cream", Sunshine VIC
• Nick & Janet, "backyard shapes", Footscray VIC

Coca-Cola - You're Out of Order!

Last month saw consumers act by slapping 'out-of-order' notices on vending machines in response to Coca-Cola's role in killing off the Northern Territory bottle recycling scheme. Fortunately, the Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) now plans to intervene and protect the scheme - more.
(Coca-Cola Amatil bottles and distributes The Coca-Cola Company beverages in Australia).

Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight (4-19 May) is our chance to celebrate all things Fairtrade. Help give farmers in developing countries, their families and their local communities, a better deal. > Buy a friend a Fairtrade coffee > Have a kick with a Fairtrade footy > Find Fairtrade clothing alternatives > See our suggestions for 'Going Fairtrade in your Workplace' > See events

Mr Genetically Modified!

Agri-giant Monsanto controls the patent rights to over 90% of the world's GM seeds. Despite concerns about health and safety, the same patents allow Monsanto to prevent any farmer or scientist from testing their seeds.

• During Easter Australia's big supermarket chains faced a backlash over their use of palm oil in homebrand hot cross buns (30/3/13) ABC news.
• Fruit growers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley will bulldoze three quarter of a million fruit trees, as SPC Ardmona (owned by Coca-Cola Amatil) halve the amount of produce it will buy (29/4/13) ABC radio. Sign the Getup petition to 'ban imported fruit and vegetables'.
• Yet another Bangladeshi garmet factory tragedy has brought the appalling conditions of workers in the apparel industry into mainstream news (29/4/13). A sad reminder to vote with your dollars when buying clothes. Don't support the companies who routinely source the cheapest labour. Ethical clothing guide
• Further global ownership consolidation with speculation of a merger of Mondelez (previously part of Kraft Foods) and PepsiCo, as US billionaire Nelson Peltz acquires stakes in both companies worth $2.7b.
• The Unshackled Music Festival event, running from the 13-17 May, focuses on issues of Human Trafficking. Blackburn North, VIC www.unshackled.org.au