As climate change compels us to reduce carbon emissions, urban gardens that provide locally produced food are becoming an increasingly important model. The African Food Project is an urban, organic farm that grows traditional African vegetables for the African community around the outer western suburb of Blacktown.
The African Food Project was founded by Congolese refugee Mbuyi Tshielantende, who was one of the speakers at a June 20 workshop at the farm. The 25 participants from Parramatta Climate Action Network, Permaculture West and Socialist Alliance tilled fields, planted rows of peas and weeded, in a day of theory meeting practice. Organic farmer and Socialist Alliance spokesperson on agriculture Nick Soudakoff also spoke and $100 was raised for the African Food Project and Green Left Weekly.