All's fair for Earthbound Wines and A Place in the Sun, two of the 20 South African Fairtrade wine producers who are preparing to celebrate national Fairtrade Week, 10-16 March, 2014. And there is much to celebrate, with South Africa ranked as the world's largest producer of Fairtrade wines, producing two-thirds of the world's Fairtrade wine. In 2012, local production was … [Read more...]
Green products get their own space at this year’s Rand Show
The Rand Show is South Africa and Africa’s biggest one-to-one consumer show, with a legacy spanning 120 years. For generations, they’ve been entertaining people, connecting them with brands, showing them what’s new and exciting, hooking them up to great show bargains, and creating memories. As both a shopping and an entertainment event, the Rand Show delivers an affluent … [Read more...]
Happiness in a Handbasket
One of the really useful and informative books I came across recently helped me to understand more deeply how our shopping habits impact on our world. Here is my interview with Ute Kuhlmann who wrote “Happiness in a Handbasket – Buy Local, the practical guide.” Elma Pollard: I was a little confused as the title of the book made me think it was about market shopping, but … [Read more...]
Fresh organic foods delivered to your door in Gauteng
Gillian O’Shea started Terra Madre SA in October 2012 because she was frustrated with not being able to purchase clean food. “As a Specialised Kinesiologist, I was also learning more and more the about the impact of our bad diet on our health, never mind the impact of our farming methods on the planet.” It’s my opinion that consumers and large retailers are also at fault … [Read more...]
Wild and healthy weeds: gifts from nature
“Did you know that wild foods have at least 10 times more nutrients than cultivated foods?” So said Tracy Armbruster in her blurb about the Wild Foods courses she conducts in Villiersdorp. I have always known that there is something special about weeds. Natural, indigenous, resilient plants that arrive uninvited. We all know that spraying them to death with toxic chemicals, … [Read more...]
True food enlivens body and soul
I was privileged to meet the creater and owner of Organic at Heart, “a true food restaurant” in Plumstead, where we recently enjoyed a great staff meeting. If you look at the menu and notice that they cater for wheat free, sugar free, gluten free, raw, vegetarian and vegan eaters, it’s obvious that the woman behind this initiative knows her health science. But little did I … [Read more...]
Clothing that doesn’t cost the earth
Hemp fibre is stronger and more durable than cotton. Hemp produces as much as 4 times the paper pulp per acre compared to trees. Hemp stalk can be used for building purposes. The seed is recognised as the single most nutritious source of non-animal protein on Earth. No other single resource that can provide us with so many diverse products at such a small cost to the … [Read more...]
Grow your own food step 2: Sowing the seeds of life
The time has come to sow the seeds for our next veggie harvest. We trust that your compost is coming along nicely? Please comment below this story, if you need any help. So let’s get the next season’s seeds sown. You can either purchase seed boxes from your nursery, or I got mine from Builder’s Warehouse, or simply use what you have. Vinny is good at collecting used … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Pt. 4: Time for the chicken run
It's raining today. I didn't want it to rain right now but I am grateful for my plants to get this rain. The reason for not wanting rain is that we are up to our elbows finishing the chicken tractor. We offer you another installment by Sue Vingerhoets, farmer on Foxglove organic farm. This mobile hen house can be moved into place for the hens to work over a piece of ground … [Read more...]
Tasting the goodness of green wines at sunset
Even in these belt-tightening times, consumers worldwide are going green, showing with their wallets an increased interest in products that have been produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Since its inception in 2009, the main thrust of the Nedbank Green Wine Awards has been to reward and elevate the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes, honouring … [Read more...]
Sustainable Living and Indigenous Plant Fair (SLIP)
This year the Indigenous Plant Fair returns to its roots at the KZN Botanic Gardens in Pietermaritzburg. Since those early days (2004), the Fair has grown to include food plants as well as hundreds of indigenous plants and, in 2012, to embrace low-carbon living by showcasing sustainable solutions too. Nowadays SLIP, as the Sustainable Living and Indigenous Plant Fair has … [Read more...]
Grow your own food step 1: compost making
Essential in growing your own food is to keep it green all the way. So we will always be utilising waste items for all the processes which we teach. You don’t need to rush out and purchase special equipment. Use what you have or scout the junk yard or any place where you see waste piled up – you will find useful items to help you in your food growing endeavours. What do I need … [Read more...]
Coffee that cares
This year, Fairtrade Week is celebrated from 25 February to 3 March. Woolworths invites all coffee aficionados to indulge in their favourite pastime with abandon, and a clear conscience. Woolworths is committed to fair trade and supporting farmers by guaranteeing fair terms and a fair deal. The additional Fairtrade premium that we pay to these small-scale coffee farmers … [Read more...]
