A new year dawns.

This post was originally going to be about my food goals for 2011. But as I sit here typing this, floods are ravaging Queensland, many of my friends and loved ones are frantically packing away precious possessions and Brisbane is preparing for flooding, the likes of which have never been seen before.

It's quite surreal given that barely 2 years ago the dams that provided Brisbane with water were down to 16% capacity.

Today Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine Dams are releasing water from storage as they are significantly over 100% capacity. In fact, Wivenhoe is at 140% 160% 175% capacity {I personally didn't even know that was possible!}.

The point of this is that we need to all spare a thought for our farmers. I lamented earlier today that my poor garden has drowned. It only supplies me with a few herbs and veggies to save me a few pennies. Our farmers are far, far worse off. Their livelihoods and their futures are at stake.

My soggy veggies. The front was zucchini and cucumber. The chilli and lemongrass are thriving! Everything else is weeds or mint or a few other very drowned herbs!

But Queensland {and all other Australian} farmers are a hardy bunch. In the last 10 years alone they have survived crippling drought, cyclones, dust storms, locust plagues, and now severe flooding. They will come back from this latest challenge. But they will need our help.

These are my ideas as to how we can help, other than making a financial donation to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal:

• buy from local farmers at farmer's markets - and yes, some of the produce will look a bit odd - it might be marked, it might be a funny shape, it might be a bit bruised, it might have the odd bit of extra protein {!}. But it will still taste good!
• buy from organisations that support local farmers - such as your local CSA {I buy from Food Connect in Brisbane}
• eat at cafes and restaurants that support local producers and growers
• find out about farm tours and farm stays and do one {Food Connect organise regular Farm Tours for farms around Brisbane}
• encourage your kids to eat more fruit and veg and teach them where it comes from - encourage schools to invite farmers along to talk to them and teach them.

What's a CSA? CSA stands for Community Shared Agriculture. It's when local communities buy directly from local farmers and other local producers to support locally grown seasonal produce. The benefits are many, but include reducing carbon emissions due to the food travelling fewer "food miles" and keeping money within your local community, thus benefitting the local economy and helping it become or remain sustainable. 

Being part of a CSA also allows city-folk to become more aware of where their food comes from so they can become more educated consumers. 

So how do you find out who supports local producers? Well, the easiest way is to ask. Talk to your local greengrocer, butcher and other retailers and ask them where they source their produce. If they don't support local then ask them why not. 

My biggest food goal for 2011 is going to be to better support my local farmers. Because without farmers we WILL starve. What will yours be?