Media - Food Is Free

Media

Media

Videos

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 17

Want to know WHAT to grow & WHEN in our cold climate? 🤔🌱
•
Ballarat, Melbourne & surrounds, we’ve got the answer for you!
•
We hunted high & low for a seasonal seed wall chart locally and there wasn’t one! So we made one. And now we are excited to share it with you too!
•
Designed by Food Is Free Inc. In collaboration with our dear friend and snazzy artist Louisa Morgan, this A4 double folded grow chart displays what to plant when (and how to plant ie seed, seedling, or otherwise ie crowns for rhubarb, cloves for garlic etc) and will take the guess work out of gardening.
•
It’s practical and it’s damn beautiful - so much so you’ll want to hang it on your kitchen wall rather then in your garden shed.
•
This boutique, very handy, grow chart for cold climate Victoria is available right now and online via our shop.
•
Opt to pick it up at our Green Space monthly markets on first Sun of the month from 11am - noon if you live in Ballarat OR opt to have it mailed to you (in Ballarat or elsewhere).
•
It’s also a lovely gift idea for a gardener you know who would love this! Link in on bio to our shop….go on, grab one or two or five today - gift yourself or your green thumb friends! Or tag someone below you know cannot live without one!
🌱💚

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 16

Did you know we host monthly markets at Green Space now? 🌿🐝😀
•
First Sunday of the month 11am - noon only at Green Space, 212 Ripon St Sth, Ballarat.
•
You can come grab a green goodies bargain for your garden such as:
•
🌿 Compost
🌿 Worms for your worm farm
🌿 Worm juice for your plants
•
Or Food Is Free Inc. merch such as:
•
🐞 Stickers
🐞 Badges
🐞 Food Is Free Inc. recipe book
🐞 Assorted gardening/hobby/DIY/self-sufficiency books
🐞 Food Is Free Cold Climate grow chart designed by local artist Lou Morgan
•
Note: You can also buy online via our website if you like and pick up on the day!
•
Also: You can buy Food Is Free Inc. tea towels and tote bags at our markets, but our T-shirts are available to purchase ONLY from website (because we have so many designs, cuts & colours to choose from) and the tees are shipped direct to your nominated address. If you live outside of Ballarat or won’t make it to. Market you can buy online and choose to have it shipped to you.
•
Cash & card sales. Come say hi to Alissa & Hanna and they'll look after you. ✌🏽🍓🍄

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 15

Extending a HUGE thanks to our friends at @formosagardens for donating some surplus seedlings to us. 🌱💚
•
Rather than throw them out, Katie from Formosa will be saving us overstocked seedlings they need to get rid of, and so our dear visitors benefit, as you can take any you like with you, from our free seedlings station.
•
We have been placing some out intermittently over the past few weeks: and everyone’s been loving them.
•
Lucky visitors have taken with them all kinds of flavours of mint, oregano, marjoram, globe artichoke, leeks, onions, curry plants, and other fab green goodies.
•
They aren’t always there so can’t guarantee every visit you’ll take some with you, but that’s part of the fun & trill of a Laneway visit - you never know what you’ll find or the people you’ll run into or the conversations you’ll have.
•
Thank you Katie and Formosa, so kind!
🙏🏽💚🌻😘🌱

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 13

ABSOLUTE LAST CHANCE….

This will be truly something! If you’re in a position to attend, and if it is your thing, we recommend you don’t miss this - FERMENTING WORKSHOP with Mara Ripani from @maravillagedreaming ORTO Straw Eco farm and culinary school TOMORROW afternoon.
•
We know it’s not everyone’s price point, and that’s why we host some of these premium boutique workshops for select VERY special events like this one scattered in amongst our typically more affordable workshops. 😄
•
What you get on Sun 15 May (1pm - 3pm) if you attend Mara’s farm in Blampied is -

⭐️ a very small class for more one on one attention and intimate learnings
⭐️ a truly unique experience learning from a very skilled & knowledgeable teacher in a very deluxe setting
⭐️ very tailored and next level learnings on fermenting
⭐️ Learning & food sampling

So, for full details - please read all about the workshop details (link in bio).
•
‼️ VERY LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE 👩🏻‍🌾 DON’T MISS OUT!! ❌

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 11

Recently we celebrated International Compost Awareness Week at Green Space by inviting Terry from @sunnybank_farm_ballarat to teach a workshop on composting. 😄🌱💚
•
The attendees loved it and we are super grateful to Terry for sharing his wisdom and tips on effective composting.
•
We hope to have him back later this year to Green Space, or even a trip to the farm in nearby Burrumbeet for a look at regenerative agriculture practice in action. 😄🌱⭐️

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 10

We have a saying at our Food Is Free sites “No one is judged on what you bring or take, as long as you leave with a smile.” 🫶🏽😃
•
Any visitors at Laneway tonight would have left with a smile after they took in that sunset! 🌇
•
What a bewdy! No need for a filter on this pic. ⭐️💛

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 9

Did you know as a registered charity we accept donations to enable us to continue to do the work we do? ⭐️😄🌱
•
That work is not always seen…as it often happens behind the scenes.
•
So, apart from running not one but two food security platforms (Food Is Free Laneway & Food Is Free Green Space), what a lot of our visitors don’t realise we also run workshops to enable skilling up our community to learn important life skills in growing food, as well as being involved in many other community projects and advising community groups on all matter of subjects re growing food and social cohesion. We also run school & community group tours and incursions. We run private workshops for disadvantaged groups in our community.
•
And we do ALL of this around our busy lives and day jobs. “It takes a village” is such a true statement. But reality is, it takes community help via donations too…because the tiny amount of community grants available out there which we may or may not lucky enough to win in amongst all the stiff competition of so many groups simultaneously going for the same pot of money, quite simply don’t pay our annual overheads & bills. These are things like insurance, admin, stationery, power for our water tanks, venue hire, volunteer co-ordination of 70 incredible volunteers, gardening equipment & plants, soil, expenses related to running our workshops etc etc. The list goes on and equates to over $15,000 annually.
•
If you are in a position, please consider setting up a regular monthly or one off donation with us to help continue what we do for so many in our community. Check out our DONATIONS tab on our website, plus link in bio. Thank you 🙏🏽 🥕🌱🫶🏽

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 8

We host LOADS of food security & self sufficiency workshops which bring our community together to…

⭐️ learn new skills,
⭐️ empower our attendees with new knowledge to fight food insecurity issues,
⭐️ fight food waste in our community,
and
⭐️encourage learning in our all-inclusive environment the skills to grow delicious nutritious food cheaply & simply.
🥕💚🫶🏽

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 7

🚨 CALLING ALL PICKLE JAM PRESERVERS AND FERMENTED FOOD DIY CREW…. 🚨
•
Very last chance to take any jars from our jars stand at Food Is Free Laneway (305 Ripon st Sth) for your pickling or preserving.
•
We will be placing our jars stand behind the scenes for a Winter rest and return it later in the year.
•
Meanwhile PLEASE no more of your glass bottle or jar donations. We will get rid of this lot remaining and close it down in a few days time. Don’t forget to tag anyone below who might need to know this info too please.
•
Oh and also we have a fermenting workshop next weekend if anyone is keen to attend. Link in bio!! Good chance to plug it in this related post 😂😃😃
👍🏽😃🌱

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 5

Had a blast with the crew from Ballarat Tool Library on 30 April as their volunteer Bill led a super packed enthralling Garden Tools Maintenance workshop.
•
A room full of gardeners were taught so many useful skills they can now adopt in their own gardening time, and Bill generously shared all his incredible tips on maintaining and repairing shovels, secateurs, garden sheers, and so on….even a chainsaw!!
•
Thank you to Nicole and Jess for their behind the scenes help and folks this was such a successful workshop we will be looking to collaborate and do more with the truly lovely crew at The Ballarat Tool Library!

Together We Can Create Change 😄💛✌🏽

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 4

This will be truly something! If you’re in a position to attend, and if it is your thing, We recommend you don’t miss this - FERMENTING WORKSHOP with Mara Ripani from @maravillagedreaming ORTO Straw Eco farm and culinary school.
•
We know it’s not everyone’s price point, and that’s why we host some of these premium boutique workshops for select VERY special events like this one scattered in amongst our typically more affordable workshops. 😄
•
What you get on Sun 15 May (1pm - 3pm) if you attend Mara’s farm in Blampied is -

⭐️ a very small class for more one on one attention and intimate learnings
⭐️ a truly unique experience learning from a very skilled & knowledgeable teacher in a very deluxe setting
⭐️ very tailored and next level learnings on fermenting
⭐️ Learning & food sampling

So, for full details - please read all about the workshop details (link in bio).
•
‼️ VERY LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE 👩🏻‍🌾 DON’T MISS OUT!! ❌

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 3

Want to help us run our many events?

We are needing event volunteers. Training provided.

Please contact volunteer@foodisfree.com.au for more info. 🥳

foodisfreelaneway

View

May 2

We had such a fabulous time a few weeks ago with our Open Beehive Experience, led by the wonderful Peter @thepolishbeekeeper who is our bee mentor and all round really great human. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

Peter opened up our Food Is Free bee hives with our beekeeping volunteers and we invited a small group to attend who bought tickets to this incredibly educational event. All the feedback received indicated it was a resounding excellent event, and given it sold out in no time, we have decided to do this about the 5 times or so per year when we tend to our hives. So stay tuned! Next one will be early Spring, as our gorgeous bees go into hibernation mode now with our Winter Packdown done.

Thanks for jumping in and coming along to those who were lucky enough to grab a ticket: we loved having you along for the fun. And we know you learned so much from Peter.

Cheers to Alissa & Karen from Food Is Free Inc. for helping out, and Peter for his incredible knowledge and kindest care of our hives. Our bees thank you too Peter! 🐝😀

P.s. Alissa took these great pics and a stack of really cool videos too, so we'll feature those soon as well on here and our Facebook account.

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 30

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 29

LAST CHANCE to join us at tomorrow's GARDEN TOOL MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP co-hosted by us and run by Ballarat Tool Library at their home in Barkly Square, Ballarat East. 🛠🧰🔨🛠🧰🔨🛠🧰🔨

Tickets $20 and only a few spots left!!

We'd love to see you there. 😁

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 29

Ballarat #ClimateAction Rally! ✊🌎
This Sunday - May 1
Starts at 1pm from Civic Hall

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 28

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 27

Oh my GOSH!! We are so excited!!!!
•
📣NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT 🙌🏼
•
We have very limited spots for an incredibly special workshop we've cooked up with our dear friend Mara Ripani from @maravillagedreaming taking place on Sun 15 May (1pm - 3pm) at her farm OTRO Straw Eco in Blampied (30 mins outside Ballarat, near Daylesford). Ticket link in bio ~ bookings essential 🎫
•
Join Mara and Food Is Free Inc. for a really special afternoon, as she introduces you to the world of fermenting. This unique chance to learn tips & tricks from a true expert of the field of fermentation.
•
The principles of fermentation are easy, that is why fermenting is being practised all over the world. Every traditional culture, from Japan to Italy, Germany to India, have fermenting practices and much-loved recipes.
•
In this class, Mara will teach you the principles of fermentation and take you through a range of simple recipes including:

⭐️ Hepburn Kimchi: a Korean inspired kraut.
⭐️ Garlic Ferment
⭐️ Honey herb ferment
⭐️ Lemon Ferment
⭐️ Berry ferment
⭐️ Yogurt
•
Plus, you will taste test home made yogurt and home made kimchi with a bowl of hot rice. YUM!!
•
This workshop is hosted in a very special luxe location - once you arrive onsite you'll realise how incredible a visit to ORTO Eco Straw Farm is!! Come submerge yourself in Mara's incredible world on her family's permaculture-based property and farm stay.
•
Join us for this super tasty class & very special event.
•
Extremely limited numbers. Don't miss out. This will be an afternoon to remember!

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 26

This is Jess from Ballarat Tool Library visiting Green Space last week, where she & I (Lou) did an interview with Tim from The Ballarat Times newspaper about this Saturday’s Garden Tool Maintenance workshop we are co-hosting together. 🧰😁🌱
•
We love the work of the amazing volunteers at @ballarattoollibrary and are thrilled to be hosting a workshop together aimed at reducing waste by learning to repair & clean your garden tools, rather than replacing them.
•
Keen to join the fun on Saturday? Details & ticket link in bio!
•
Ballarat Tool Library is a great local community resource, who like us, are all about bringing the community together and servicing a need (in their case an environmental-based mission in reducing the need to buy tools by borrowing them from their library). Tools, community and Skill sharing, what a great thing!!
•
We loved them joining us for our recent Green Fest, when they ran their stall, and we really hope this is the first of many events we host and collaborate on together!
⭐️✌🏽🧰🪛🛠🌱

foodisfreelaneway

View

Apr 25

Today we were interviewed by The Courier for a story featuring the amazing Formosa Nursery. Here I am (Lou) with Katie (left hand side) after our chat & photo shoot with Rochelle Kirkham from the newspaper at Green Space.
•
We are thrilled to announce that @formosagardens is our very first (and very very treasured) Local Heroes sponsor. They have supported us via our newly launched Local Heroes program in which local businesses sign up to support us ($5,000 or $10,000 sponsorships in return for acknowledgment on socials/website etc plus a sunflower painted in their honour at Green Space). Formosa went the full $10,000 because they are utter legends and they believe in what we do for our community and backed that up by taking on the main sponsorship package and for that they get the tall sunflower! Mini sunflower = $5k package. 🌻 😄
•
They are also celebrating their 45th birthday tomorrow, so Katie wanted to announce it to coincide with their brilliant news on a wonderful milestone. We love their plants, their customer service and dedication to community projects like ours. We’ve shopped at Formosa for Green Space plants for our garden beds and for workshops etc etc, for the whole time we’ve existed - so the partnership makes double sense to us.
•
Katie and her incredible family have run their business for over three generations now in Redan and are much loved by so many gardeners in our town. We truly cannot thank them enough for their support as a Local Hero, but just generally over the past 7.5 years for being wonderful to us and anyone who walks in their Leith street store. Next time you visit them tell them they’re ace, that we (Food Is Free Inc.) think so and you do too.
•
If any business is keen to chat about our Local Heroes sponsorship, we are utterly open to that (just be aware you have to be ethically aligned with what we do, our values etc,) via info@foodisfree.com.au 😁🙌🏼

Load More Follow on Instagram

Featured Articles

Gardening Australia – Food Is Free

Joh meets an inspiring woman helping others

Lou Ridsdale: a love of gardening transformed into food for the community

Food Is Free gives food for thought on green anarchy

Ballarat woman follows global trend with laneway produce

Food is Free: Growing Food and Community in the City of Ballarat

Ballarat gardener leading Food is Free revolution in Australia

All media queries please contact info@foodisfree.com.au

Stay in touch! Sign up to our newsletter.

Food Is Free Inc. is a grassroots, community led not-for-profit group benefitting all Ballarat (Australia) who has a core purpose of assisting and promoting food security and community cohesion and inclusion.

Currently at Laneway

11°C

Few clouds

Food Is Free Inc. respectfully acknowledges the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people – traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work.

© 2022 Food Is Free Inc. All Rights Reserveds.

Site By Stoke Design Co