Always good to see wineries taking the eco-friendliness of their wines (and the bottles) into consideration:

TWO OCEANS TAKING IT LIGHTLY

Popular South African wine brand Two Oceans is now sold exclusively in light-weight 350 gram bottles that are fully recyclable.  The label, its inks and adhesive are also biodegradable.

The new screwcap-topped bottle is 110 grams lighter than before, to represent a saving of 120 kg of carbon equivalent emissions for every 1 000 bottles produced.

All Two Oceans wines are made from grapes sourced from vineyards accredited by South Africa’s highly progressive and eco-friendly Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) programme.  If you want to know more about the brand’s commitment to production integrity, visit the website listed on the *Sustainability Seal South Africa sticker that is affixed to the bottle and enter the individual number. The seal is backed by a sophisticated tracking system in which bottle contents are totally traceable from the growing of the grapes to how the wine is made and packaged.

In South Africa, as a further mark of its environmental focus, Two Oceans supports WWF SASSI, the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative that helps to improve the conservation status of overexploited seafood in local oceans.

Widely enjoyed for great quality at excellent value prices, the Two Oceans brand takes its name from the Indian and Atlantic oceans that meet along the southern coast of Africa.

*The Sustainability Seal South Africa applies to wines from the 2010 vintage onwards.

There is something almost magical about discovering heirloom vegetable varieties.  The colours, the textures, the wide variety of flavours.  I used to order an heirloom tomato mixed-pack from The Drift Farm, and marvel at the amazing kaleidoscope of colours that would arrive.  Black cherry tomatoes, stripey tigerellas, bright orange/yellow pear cherries.  Even green striped ones!

Each one tasted completely different.  Some were best for cooking, some were gobsmackingly delectable in salads with no adulteration required.  Some were just so pretty to look at I could hardly bear to eat them (but I did, of course!).

Compared to such abundance and variability, ordinary shop-bought tomatoes pale horrendously.  They lack the flavour (usually they’re picked green, and ripened artificially), and they certainly lack the fun factor.  A tomato salad made from black, yellow, green and pink varieties looks (and tastes) SO much better than a plain ol’ red one.

But, heirloom tomatoes (and other heirloom vegetables and fruits) are a little harder to come by than their more storable and transportable counterparts.  So, this year I will be growing my own.

I’m no urban farmer.  I have limited space, mostly pots, and am not nearly as attentive as I should be.  But, cherry tomatoes are really easy to grow, as are lettuces and chillis – so I will be taking advantage of the Summer Seedling Share from Harvest Share.  In fact, being one of the creators of The Food Collective, which runs Harvest Share, I have a bit of a vested interest in the project!

Basically, we source seeds from local companies specialising in open-pollinated heirloom seed varieties, and get someone green-thumbed to grow them for us. Last time, we worked with Soil For Life – this time with Alfa Variegata Nurseries, based in Klapmuts.

When the seedlings are big and strong, we offer a limited number of ‘shares’ to anyone interested.  By growing from a seedling, you have a bit of a head start (as anyone who’s attempted growing from seeds will know!) and should have an awesome crop of tomatoes, lettuces and chillis during the main summer season.

We’ve carefully selected the tastiest of summer’s bounty, which are all very easy to grow. You don’t even need a vegetable patch for this share, as these seedlings can be grown in window boxes or grow-bags.

With each share you buy, you will receive THREE 6-pack seedling trays containing the following heirloom vegetables:

• 1 x Heirloom Tomato 6-pack
  (Containing a mix of: Black Cherry, Tigerella & Principe Borghese)
• 1 x Heirloom Chilli 6-pack 
  (Containing a mix of Purple Maui, Fish Peppers, Malawian Peppadews)
• 1 x Heirloom Lettuce 6-pack
  (Containing a mix of Merveille des quatres saisons, Parris Island Cos & Mizuna)

Shares cost R105 each (total number of shares limited to 30), and will be available for pickup at the Starlings Urban Farmers Market next week (14 December 2011).

I can’t wait to get mine – tigerella tomato salad, here I come!

To find out more, visit the Food Collective website.

Today Fairtrade Label South Africa (FLSA) celebrates the start of their very first Fairtrade Week in South Africa, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about Fairtrade among the local public. Fairtrade Week’s slogan, ‘Taste the Change’, encourages South Africans to learn about the incredible potential of fair trading, and the significance it plays in improving lives in farming communities and in offering consumers the possibility of an ethical choice.

Amongst the activities planned for the week is the official product launch of the Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, which will finally be introduced to retail stores around South Africa (and the cost of a bar stays the same!)

Why buy Fairtrade?
Fairtrade creates more opportunities for those farming communities who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalised by the conventional trading system. Fairtrade benefits small-scale farmers and farm workers by:

1. ensuring better trading, working and living conditions through Fairtrade Standards
2. providing a Fairtrade Premium that small-scale farmers (in the case of a co-operative) and farm workers (in the case of a commercial farm) can invest in projects to improve their lives
3. supporting sustainable production and protection of the environment for a better future

Environmental standards focus on farming methods that are sustainable and safe. Amongst them: protection of sensitive natural areas, minimised and safe use of agrochemicals and ban of prohibited pesticides, safe and sustainable handling of waste and water, and no use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Perhaps one day this could even go a step further and support primarily organic and natural farming practices… a girl can dream, right?

Included in the media release were a number of examples of how Fairtrade is improving things here in South Africa, giving support to local farm workers, their families, and communities:

Bergendal Wine Farm – Western Cape

Location: Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa
Fairtrade certified for: wine grapes, rooibos tea, oranges, and soft citrus
Fairtrade products: Six Hats Fairtrade Wines

In 2006, three years after obtaining Fairtrade certification, 91 farm workers became shareholders with the creation of the Bergendal Workers Trust. Six months later a rooibos tea plantation was developed and in 2007 a packinghouse was built and a fruit exporting company, Everseason, established. At the same time the Carmien rooibos tea marketing company was started up. The trust holds shares from each of these ventures, ensuring diverse and profitable dividends.

Amongst other initiatives, farm workers’ homes were improved, a recreational hall and after care centre was built, and the local crèche was renovated.

Read full story.  Visit www.citrusdalwines.co.za

Dinaledi Farming Enterprises – Limpopo

Fairtrade certified for its oranges, lemons and grapefruit.

Money from Fairtrade premiums has been invested in schooling and education, the building of a recreation centre and the installation of hot showers.  Additionally, a portion of the 2010 Premium was also used to renovate a farm crèche and a number of beds were bought for the homes of workers on Grovedale farm. A small amount was set aside for low-interest loans afforded to farm workers, who used it to help pay for their children’s school fees.

Read full story.

Bosman Family Vineyards – Western Cape

Farm: Lilienfontein Estate (Bosman Family Vineyards), Wellington, South Africa
Fairtrade certified for: wine grapes
Fairtrade products: Appollis and Bosman Family Vineyards

At a milestone-marking event in January 2009, a joint venture between the Bosman family and the workers at Lilienfontein was birthed, forming the largest land reform partnership in the wine industry. “The Adama empowerment project turned [land reform] challenges into great opportunities: 260 permanent farm workers formed the Adama Appollo Trust of which they all are now beneficiaries. 430 hectares of [prime vineyard] land was included in the project, with Adama Trust acquiring a fifty percent share in the land,” Petrus Bosman, director of JC Bosman Farming, says. “The transaction also included a thirty percent share in the Bosman Family Vineyards cellar on Lelienfontein Estate and a five percent share in the operational farming concern, Lelienfontein Vinegrowers, Africa’s biggest vine nursery.”

Funds generated by the Fairtrade Premium has been invested in buying karate uniforms for the local karate squad (they attend the Bosman Farming Karate Club, an initiative started on the farm to keep farm workers’ children occupied) and plans for a fully-fledged karate club are in the pipeline. Other projects the committee has tackled include the renovation of two farm crèches, tiling of workers’ homes, stocking of a library on the estate and development of a computer centre.

Read full story.

A number of other inspiring worker case studies are published here.

A list of current and upcoming Fairtrade products in South Africa is available here.

Gutted.  The Hout Bay Green Faire is on this Saturday, and I’m going to miss it.  Again.

But, for those of you who will be in town this coming weekend, it’s a fun day out, and a great way to find out about eco-friendly products and services in Cape Town.

The details:

Envirochild presents its 5th annual Hout Bay Green Faire on Saturday 29 October 2011.

After 4 successful years the Green Faire has become a permanent feature in the community and has attracted 1000’s of visitors from the Cape Town metro.
The Green Faire  is a volunteer driven event – providing a showcase of products and services that offer ways of living lightly on the planet.

Eco-friendly, human friendly, animal friendly and planet friendly choices are easier when we know what’s available.

Many companies are offering these choices now and this Faire is a way for us to find out more about them.

There’s a long list of exhibitors, who’ll be showcasing everything from urban gardening services and worm farms to eco-friendly cleaning products and compost toilets!

Green Faire Event Details:

Dates & Times:  Saturday 29 October 2011, 10am-5.30pm
Cost: Adults:  R20 / Kids: R10
Location:  Kronendal Primary School. Andrews Rd, off Main Rd, Hout Bay, at the Shell garage corner.
Website: www.houtbaygreenfaire.org

I really do like this initiative – a virtual wall of seedlings that will soon become actual seedlings, planted in food gardens around the country…

The Virtual Living Wall has been created by the Woolworths Trust in honour of World Food Day, happening this coming Sunday, 16th October 2011.

For every virtual seedling planted, the Woolworths Trust will donate an actual plant to a South African school with an EduPlant permaculture food garden. Just choose your plant  and add your name. It’s fun, it’s free, and it makes a difference in the real world.

Go to www.woolworthslivingwall.co.za to plant your virtual seedling for free.

It is, in usual Woolworths style, very well presented, and it’s fun to see your own name appended to the plant you’ve chosen (plus the feel-good factor of knowing that your seedling will find its way into a food garden somewhere out there).

PS you can opt out of receiving additional info from Woolworths if you prefer (in fact, it’s the default setting).

Cape Town, 7th September, 2011 – Tuffy brands, the pioneers of 100% recycled refuse bags, aims to clean up South Africa this month, by providing 150,000 recycled refuse bags to all regions in SA to facilitate a massive clean-up operation with Plastics SA for Clean-Up South Africa Week, which runs from 12th to 17th September.

During this week that includes National Recycling Day (16th of September) and International Coastal Clean-Up Day (17th September), many organisations and individuals will take part in a collective operation to pick up, and correctly discard litter on SA’s streets, parks, beaches, rivers, waterways and oceans.

Last year, more than 20,000 volunteers conducted clean-ups with a total waste removal of 62.65 tons of litter covering a distance of more than 1,000 kms along the country’s coastlines, estuaries, rivers, inland water sources and even underwater.

Rory Murray, Marketing Director for Tuffy Brands, says that they are thrilled to be a part of an initiative with such a significant impact as the recycling following the clean-up has a positive impact on the economy through job creation, reduction of carbon footprint and the re-use of the trash in products.

Started by Plastics South Africa the initiative has seen over 100 tons and 20,000 volunteers participate in the clean-ups annually in South Africa alone. This year marks the 26th International Coastal Clean-up, which has become the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health and since its inception over 9-million volunteers from 152 countries and locations have cleaned over 65-million tons of trash each year.

“We will be providing 150,000 heavy duty 100% recycled heavy duty refuse bags to each of the regions in support of this very worthwhile initiative,” says Murray. “We estimate that these bags alone will hold tons of waste. We fully applaud the efforts of Plastics SA, the Department of Environment, Tourism and Economic affairs and other brands who have come on board and are proud to be associated with cleaning up our beautiful country.”

Murray urges South Africans to get involved. “This initiative will truly make a difference in more ways than you can imagine and we encourage everyone to get involved even in the smallest way,” he adds. “It will be great to see that South Africa has had the biggest impact on a global scale during the cleaning operations.”

For more information visit: www.tuffy.co.za <http://www.tuffy.co.za>  or facebook.com/tuffybrands or @tuffybrands on Twitter

For more about Clean-Up SA Week visit: http://www.cleanup-sa.co.za/

Intrigued by the concept, I met with the organiser to find out more.

In essence, this is what the market is all about:

• It’s a speciality food market, dedicated to authentic plant-based cuisine.
• It will be held monthly (first Sunday) and will be catering for cognisant food lovers who have an appreciation for the benefits of plant-based foods, as well as being mindful where their food is grown and its preparation methods.
• All food will be made by the artisans and merchants, and sold by them in person.
• On offer will be: Organic fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked breads, winter soups, raw tree nuts, olives and olive oils, gourmet food dishes, fresh juices, with a touch of kitchen and home decor thrown in for good measure.

I really like the idea of a market with a specific focus… There are plenty of food markets out there these days, which is awesome, but I do sometimes feel that for many there is a great opportunity for them to carve out their own niche, whatever it might be (community aspect, organic focus, gourmet extravaganza, etc).  Otherwise, with so much competition, they run the risk of being just like every other food market out there, and people gradually losing interest (Capetonians do love the novelty-factor!)

I also like that it’s going to be held on a Sunday – rather than the usual Saturday of most Cape Town markets (means I have a better chance of getting there!).

So, I shall definitely be there, this coming Sunday (3 July 2011), when the market opens its door for the very first time, and I am very keen indeed to see what will be on offer!

Market details:

Date & Time:
Launch date:  Sunday 3 July 2011.  9am-2pm.  Thereafter, the market will be held on a selected Sunday of every month (view trading dates).

Location:
In the Constantia Valley, at the historic Alphen Hall on Constantia Main Rd. Predominately indoors, with a large courtyard for sunny days. There is plenty of parking.

Contact details:
Email: eat@gaiafoodmarket.co.za
Website: www.gaiafoodmarket.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GaiaFoodMarket
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GaiaFoodMarket

It’s starting to become obvious that we don’t need massive inputs of chemicals and fertilisers to grow enough food to feed the world – and a recently released report from the UN shows that growing our food more sustainably can dramatically increase crop yields:

Small-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods, a new UN report shows. Based on an extensive review of the recent scientific literature, the study calls for a fundamental shift towards agroecology as a way to boost food production and improve the situation of the poorest.

Sustainable agriculture should be the immediate choice for underdeveloped countries. For developing countries, especially in Africa, De Schutter thinks the shift to low-tech farming can happen quickly, and will immediately help small farmers be more productive and spend less. (Read the full article)

In the first phase of its collaboration, the brand is funding the printing of wallet-sized information cards that identify those fish than can be eaten without danger of depleting resources. The cards, for distribution to restaurants, retailers and fisheries, also identify those fish considered endangered or under threat of becoming endangered.

The next phase will involve in-store merchandising initiatives designed to promote awareness of the fish species, fishing and farming methods that pose less harm to the environment than others, so consumers are better equipped to make informed choices in helping to promote marine sustainability.

Says Jackie Olivier, global marketing spokesperson for Two Oceans: “The Atlantic and Indian oceans after which the brand is named, aren’t just an important influence on the wines we produce. They also sustain an enormous variety of life. That’s why we support SASSI and its campaign to show how simple it is to make a sustainable seafood choice when shopping or dining.  SASSI explains why not all seafood is equal and encourages us to ask what fish we are being offered, to find out where it comes from and how it was sourced, so we can all help to make a difference.”

There was a natural convergence between SASSI and Two Oceans, she added. “Many of the shops and restaurants also carry Two Oceans wines. By working together we hope to advance consumer awareness of the state of our oceans.”

The global brand is also hoping to team up with similar drives in other parts of the world to encourage sustainable seafood choices.

She said Two Oceans was continuing to grow year-on-year domestic sales volumes in double digits as consumers opted for outstanding value. Sales were also increasing in the US, Latin America and on the African continent.

For more information on SASSI go to the website (www.wwf.org.za/sassi) or mobi site (wwfsassi.mobi).

Recent spikes in food prices around the world–and the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa–have sparked fears of a repeat of the 2008 food crisis. To find ways to help address these issues, the World Bank’s Agriculture and Rural Development division recently held events focusing on Understanding Volatility and Managing Risk.

One of the events, Non-traditional Approaches to Addressing Risk and Vulnerability in Agriculture, looked at innovative projects in Turkey and Kyrgyzstan that are addressing production risks and the vulnerability of agriculture because of changes in the climate. Senior Rural Development Specialist of the Europe and Central Asia Region, Talaibek Torokulovich Koshmatov, provided insight on how cell phones are providing weather alerts to farmers in both those countries.  (full story)

But recycling isn’t a magic panacea for dealing with waste – and it’s not enough: if we don’t stop manufacturing and using so many new bottles and other plastics, we’re going to run out of space to stash it all.

Think on this… It takes about 450 years for a single bottle to decompose.  Given that around 141 billion (yes, that’s billion with a ‘b’) bottles and cans are not recycled every year and end up in landfills, that’s a whole helluva lot of plastic hanging around to haunt us for a whole helluva long time.  Recycling does help, sure, but it still requires large amounts of energy and resources to turn those materials back into usable form.

A much better plan is to start reducing how much you buy and use, reusing what you already have, and recycling whatever you can no longer make functional use of.  Makes sense, right?

So how to get around buying new plastic bottles when you’re hooked on the flavoursome bubbly beverages contained within?

Well, you could give them up and resort to drinking plain tap water (nothing wrong with that), or you could make your own bubbles and mix-and-match flavours with a home beverage carbonation system.

Last week SodaStream launched a compelling new campaign: “Help Free the World from Bottles” – and I think they’re on to a really good thing.

“The SodaStream system enables consumers to easily transform ordinary tap water into carbonated drinks in seconds. SodaStream’s products are environmentally-friendly, cost-effective, promote health and wellness, are customisable and fun to use.  In addition, they eliminate the need to carry bottles from the supermarket, to store bottles or to regularly dispose of empty bottles.

SodaStream’s vision is to create a world free from bottles. SodaStream is committed to continuously improving as an earth-friendly brand and having a positive impact on the environment. Using water straight from the tap to create carbonated flavoured beverages, SodaStream makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. This results in less plastic manufactured, less plastic waste and less transportation of bottled beverages.”

Every SodaStream bottle can be used for up to three years, and is estimated to save the environment from 2,000 bottles and cans during that time. Plus, the CO2 carbonator can make up to 60 litres (or 180 cans) of beverage before having to be refilled and reused.  That all sounds like rather a good plan to me…

Additionally, in acknowledgement of the importance of water, SodaStream have announced their participation in the One to One Project, in collaboration with The Water Project Inc:

“This ground-breaking initiative aims to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people, by building water wells to supply clean, safe drinking water in developing communities in Africa.

The One to One project is a global SodaStream effort whereby $1 (R6.92) for each home soda maker sold will be donated towards building of water wells in Kenya.  The donation from each soda maker sold will help supply one person in Kenya with clean drinking water for at least one year.”

I am really very impressed, and I have a feeling this initiative, which has the rare distinction of making both eco-friendly and economic sense, might just change the way people go about consuming bubbly beverages.  If you haven’t already given up drinking bottled water and other packaged beverages, now’s a really good time to get started.

Visit SodaStream.co.za to find out more.

I’m looking forward to trying out their latest addition to their range, the La Luna 2006:

March 2011: Avondale, a family-own and run wine estate near Paarl, has released the 2006 vintage of La Luna. Avondale practices a unique mix of organic and biodynamic wine farming combined with the best that modern science has to offer, an approach they call Bio-LOGIC®.

La Luna derives its name from the way the moon influences our living system, and reflects the biodynamic farming methodology employed on the farm. By being attuned to the cosmic influences and rhythms, Avondale is able to fine tune its activities on the farm to be in harmony with the celestial forces.

The wine is a blend of organically-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Merlot (20%) and Petit Verdot (20%), matured in French Oak barrels for 12 to 16 months.

The velvety red blend offers scents of cedar, truffles and dark fruit with subtle forest and herb undertones, while full plum and mulberry flavours and soft tannins combine for a lovely, vibrant suppleness.

The La Luna 2006 red blend is now available from Avondale. For more information about Avondale and its range of nature-friendly wines, visit www.avondalewine.co.za