TALOFA LAVA AND GOOOOOD MORNING … you are with one nth of the belly sisters today, I’m sister Rasela of the hip swaying no praying belly kitchen. The Belly show is all about food. Anything, anyone, anywhere, anytime if there’s a story to share, then we’ll be there. Our community is filled with incredibly talented and passionate people who care about what goes in their mouths … for it is the entrance to your soul. Nourish your body with loving goodness and it will repay you as best it can.
So, what’s on the menu today ?!
We’ll be visited by Matthew Jamieson from Sunforest Farms … and I’m finally going to get the chance to ask him where he gets all his colourful shirts and big hats from. He’s a farmer with his own unique style that’s for sure, and one of a few that make up the vibrant ambience at the markets when the rest are still half asleep. We’re going to chew the fat and have a chat about what he does, how and why.
In the second half of the show we’ll be joined by Anthea Amore from Organic Passion Catering, swinging by to talk about her involvement in the CO-OP at Kulchajam (out at the Ind Est) and it’s upcoming first birthday celebration. We’ll find out how the first year has been for them, where it’s going, what It’s all about, how you can get involved and the benefits you’ll reap if you do.
In between all of that I have recordings from near and far, one in particular I discovered on
THE BYRON MOVEMENT website under the heading – GROWTH
We hear from Winona LaDuke who is an American Indian activist, environmentalist, economist, and writer of Anishinaabe descent. Winona lives and works on the White Earth Reservations and is the mother of three children. She is also the Executive Director of Honor the Earth, where she works on a national level to advocate, raise public support, and create funding for frontline native environmental groups.
She gives a fascinating and informative talk on TEDx called THE SEEDS OF OUR ANCESTORS
Let’s start with some music … here’s a hula track to get you swaying like a palm tree in the breeze on this gorgeously stunning day … it’s called Life in these Islands performed by Kaukahi. Happy Monday.
MATTHEW from SUNFOREST FARMS comes in to chat about now … and just as I was getting lost in the world of hula and up dancing round the studio. I’m sure he doesn’t mind. I’ve seen him busting some serious dance moves at the Island Vibe Festival so I know he’d appreciate it.
Unfortunately I can’t bring you one iota of the interview as sometimes the facility that records our shows automatically at the station (for legal reasons) gets a little glitch in it and it jumps and skips like a fairy on a sunbeam. It was hugely educational for me as I am a long term vegetarian and eat a pretty varied vegan diet most of the time so I learned a great deal about pig farming, duck loving and edible parts of a pigs body. Ew yuck that sounded so barbaric … edible parts of a pigs body … it makes me feel squeamish but I was fine on the day and genuinely wanted to learn more about something I honestly know nothing about.
Matthew is a natural storyteller full of fascinating energy so time flew and before we knew it pigs found wings and flew back to the farm. Here’s an email address for Sunforest farms so you can get in touch with Matthew if you feel the need to eat one of his very pretty porky pigs – bigturkey@sunforest.com.au
A CO-OPERATIVE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE ACTING TOGETHER TO MEET THE COMMON NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF ITS MEMBERS, SHARING OWNERSHIP AND MAKING DECISIONS DEMOCRATICALLY
ANTHEA AMORE – ORGANIC PASSION CATERING drove all the way from a retreat they were catering for in Uki to be in the studio on time to chat about the forthcoming Kulchajam Co-Ops FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY CELEBRATIONS !!
Their mission is to provide an opportunity for community to engage in the operation of a food cooperative that will provide fair access to ethical whole foods and local products while increasing health and building relationships across the northern rivers region.
It’s a vibrant, dynamic meeting place for the diverse northern rivers community to access ethical whole foods at accessible prices. From the commercial kitchen and meeting space at Kulchajam, community will operate the food cooperative, share food preparation skills and good food together.
Food is provided at close-to-wholesale price. For this community model of operation to work, it requires your personal time contribution as this is highly valued and an essential ingredient in non-commercial operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL AIMS
The CO*OP aims to educate members and the public about the environmental, social and health benefits of sustainably produced food. Their goal is to help protect the natural environment by educating people about the environmental benefits of locally produced, organic food while furthering the cause of social justice by making it available at low cost to the community.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Become a Founding Partner
Match our funds of $1,200 and be acknowledged as one of our founding partners in the co-op space, online, press & in our social media. You will also receive a lifetime co-op membership,
Start-Up Seed Funders
Pledge any amount of funds towards the successful start up of the co-op and be acknowledged in the space, on our website & in our social media.
Become a CO*OP Member
Membership is $60 per year and gives you access to organic, local and fair trade food at close to cost price. Click here to become a member today!
Donate Supplies & Equipment
Provide donations of food products or equipment in exchange for acknowledgement. Please contact us at coop@kulchajam.org
It is also the most incredible venue for a variety of mouth watering events. Personally I’ve attended heartfelt music performances, vocal harmony groups, Hawaiian hula lessons and hung out both inside the everchanging venue and outside around the ever glowing bonfire.
Must get onto all the other neglected pages I have left empty so far this year. It’s a perfectly gorgeous gloomy day for website and belly homework Whatever you’re doing and wherever these words reach you I hope you are warm and smiling.
Alofa atu,
Sister Rasela xo