By JESSE GRAHAM
DANDENONG Ranges residents are calling for a world-renowned foodie to set up shop and for residents to unite behind the cause, as momentum builds for a competition entry.
A group of locals has been co-ordinating an effort to make the Dandenong Ranges the new home of a Jamie Oliver Pop-Up Kitchen, after a competition was announced earlier this month.
The competition, run through Mr Oliver’s Ministry of Food program, asks entrants to find a site or a venue that could host a pop-up kitchen for a year, get support from the community and complete an application.
A petition emerged on Change.org, made by Dandenong Ranges Food Frontier Group – a group of four locals, passionate about food – urging for the Dandenong Ranges to become the site of the kitchen.
As of 4pm on Monday 24 February, the petition had 567 signatures, out of their 2000-signature goal, with 5 March looming as the deadline for the application.
Shakti McLaren is one of the four founding members of the campaign, and said the group had seen a groundswell of support in the last week, with over 500 ‘likes’ on Facebook.
“We’re getting so much support from so many different people who really want this to go ahead,” she said.
Ms McLaren said the Food Frontier group would be aiming to enhance the food situation in the Dandenong Ranges, regardless of whether or not they win the competition.
“We would like to support farmers’ markets, support community growing of food, community gardens and food gardens within the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.
“The sky is the limit!”
According to the petition website, Belgrave South Primary School, Kallista Primary School, the Permaculture Institute and the Obesity Policy Coalition have all written letters of support.
Ms McLaren said the group had been visiting potential venues and would be hoping to make an announcement later this week.
The Ministry of Food Pop-Up competition is being run Australia-wide. An advisory panel will review all of the application, with a finalist from each state and territory to meet Jamie Oliver for the final announcement.
For more information on the campaign, or to assist with the Dandenong Ranges’ competition entry, visit www.jamiesministryoffoodpopup.com, the Change.org petition at http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/jamie-oliver-and-the-ministry-of-food-choose-the-dandenong-ranges-community-for-the-pop-up-kitchen-competition, or the Dandenong Ranges Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dandenong-Ranges-Jamie-Oliver-Pop-Up-Kitchen-Project/850221251670112
