Short bites: New organic store in Woonona

Wholistic Living

A new organic supermarket has opened in Woonona. Wholistic Living is on the site of long-standing Woonona business Manic Organic. New owners Darrell and Jane Bowhay are Woonona locals passionate about health and nutrition. They will stock organic fruit and vegetables as well as organic grocery items. You can also expect to see support of local artisan makers. Jane and Darrell, an iridologist and personal trainer, are planning to share their space with other allied health practitioners. I look forward with interest to the development of Wholistic Living and wish Jane and Darrell well.

Blackbird Cafe

Blackbird owners Chris and Alice Henry have a passion for good food and people. Chris and Alice met while working in a kitchen 20 years ago. After Alice’s parents purchased the Mount Kembla Hotel in 2004, Chris and Alice became the managers of the historic establishment. After nearly five years in Mt Kembla, the couple slowly moved their way up the coast, eventually settling in Thirroul with their two daughters. They have owned Blackbird for three years and, apart from serving delicious food, they give back to the community, partnering with local charities to help Illawarra families put food on the table.

Chris says: “We’re so grateful for the support and love we have for our business … this is one way we can give back to the community.”

Blackbird Facebook page is loaded with images of the delicious meals on offer at the cafe, with the menu changing according to the season and availability. The team supports local growers and makers.

Eating Democracy

In the Fair Food Week edition of the foodie e-newsletter, I shared a link to a survey being undertaken by The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA), a not-for-profit farmer-led association working towards socially just and ecologically sound food and agriculture systems. AFSA is undertaking research for a new book to be published in 2023. The book, Eating Democracy, will focus on food sovereignty and how challenges like pandemics and climate change will impact how we source and consume food.

AFSA needs more people to complete their survey. They are looking to capture a diversity of experiences, particularly First Peoples, migrants, refugees, youth (25 and under), remote communities and the un- or underemployed.

Here is the survey link to share with your friends, family and community: https://forms.gle/uEMHhSPruoJQMYEE7.

Wollongong Online Farmers Market goes mobile

The Wollongong Online Farmers Market, a non-profit initiative of Healthy Cities and Food Fairness Illawarra, is now delivering to its customers. Revisit my chat with Program Manager, Berbel Franse here.

Order via the website by midnight Monday for delivery between 12 and 8pm on Thursday.

Need A Feed Christmas celebrations

Local charity Need A Feed is hosting two Christmas celebrations this year, the annual get together in MacCabe Park and dinner at Bulli Uniting Church.