As part of the 2024 Urban Agriculture Month we invited locals to join us in planning a Community Food Forum which aimed to:
• Celebrate local urban agriculture
• Offer inspiration from local and broader projects
• Strengthen relationships between local groups, project and networks
• Create new links, ideas, connections and initiatives

It was heart-warming to see just how alive urban agriculture is across our local region, and all the energy and passion to share, learn, and do more! We had over 50 people in the room, and a brief list of the ideas developed during the forum to be explored further in 2025 included:

• Exploration of Local Food Hubs
• Development of a Food-Focused Social Enterprise Community of Practice
• Map and promote Cooking Hubs (supports businesses or groups to process food surplus)
• Reduce Waste for Food Relief Services (consistent collection)
• Urban Agriculture in Schools
• Expand The Local Food Map
• Development of Sowing Circles
• Development of a networking platform where we can all stay connected

Special thanks to the Action Group who brought this day together, including:
Balnarring Food Co-op, Down’s Community Farm, Frankston City Council, Mornington Community Centre, Mount Martha Community Garden, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Project Fresh Start, Seaford Healthy Futures Hub and The Business of Food

The Community Plate will continue to explore these ideas, develop connections, and share more opportunities for involvement across 2025.