Peter O'Connor

Farm to Plate – A do it yourself MUST

A Landing Page to drive your Business

Public Social Media – Who wins

The Internet is full of Public Social Media where their sole purpose is to generate income for their owners and they are very good at it.

We can join, “become friends”, but if we are looking to promote our business we need to pay and the results are marginal.

The technology they use can do so much more!

With minor changes your presence on the internet can focus on driving your business – and by adding your business connections, your reach can expand to like-minded consumers in your immediate area and beyond if you market to a wider area.

Read on to learn how to achieve this goal without cost and very little extra time

Landing Page to Market your Business (Market Hub)

The Landing page will be the most important of your digital presence as it will provide your potential consumers with enough detail to make an informed decision on supporting you. Most of it will be a collection of your existing digital pages and most likely include:

Your Web Site (if you have one) including access to shopping if included
Mapping & Distance if you are happy to have drop ins
Your existing Social Media pages
List any Farmers Markets you may attend
List any Business Partners (Suppliers, Processors, Retailers or Consumers) with their landing page , that you deal with and would support
Provide a story on your business – the why and the who – usually an extract from your website or Social pages
Product tags for searching
Farmers have an option to include any associated business within the family group that helps support the business

Whilst it is possible to create your own Landing Page it is not a practical “stand alone” option as it would necessitate the duplication of data for each Landing Page (Market Hub) created.

We have created a platform called Sourced Club which, apart from creating the internal workings, avoids the duplication and in so doing creates additional linkages to your Market Hub further increasing your reach with like-minded potential Business Partners.

The Sourced Club platform is provided totally free to all users (Listing and Searches) to ensure it is available to all.

In addition, whilst time permits, we are committed to assisting business’ get listed. Simply join your business on the platform and we will start to get your Landing Page (Market Hub) active and contact you if any additional detail is not readily available on your existing pages.

Self Supporting Food Community

Marketing your Food Products

Release 1 - An Introduction

First let me give you a quick introduction to myself.
I have been involved in marketing since 1984 (way before the technology boom) initially within the Financial sector, then in Hospitality eventually leading to the ownership and management of a restaurant.
I am now retired but remain intent on using the skills I have learnt to assist the food community members that are committed to sustainable practices to care for our environment
The best way I can assist is in helping the farmers get their products in front of consumers to compete with the huge budgets of the Supermarket chains.
We can all play a part, it costs nothing but some time for you or someone within your family to keep your digital profiles up to date.
Let me Introduce you to Sourced Club

Over the next week or so I will be posting additional releases that will provide more detail of how Source Club can improve the business for Farmers, Manufacturers, Distributors, Retail Outlets and Consumers.
This post is an overview to explain the concept and expel any fear that it is another scheme that will cost you money.

Being involved in Retail 10-15 years ago I went through the introduction of Social Media such as Facebook – which started off as a great tool to reach potential customers and became a costly business expense as they altered their pages to ensure that you paid to get the “reach” that was once provided free

What they don’t mention is that for an Industry that is focused on a local area, the technology we have will do the job quite nicely. You see we have the reach – Our Business Partners (Suppliers, Processing Facilities, Farmers Markets and Consumers) who, in most cases, have their own digital presence. We just have to link them – smartly

The Sourced Club Platform provides that smart, free Landing Page for all participants to standardize the display to meet the needs of the greater community.

The page provides:
1. Provision to tell your story
2. Provides one-click Links to your Web Site and/or Social Media platforms
3. Provides one-click Links to your Business Partners
4.Has a locations and directions access to Google Maps
5. Provides access to tags when the general Public use search options
6. No Duplication – The App is one URL for Local, Regional, State, Country or even International access to avoid duplication of information and ease of access

Well – that is my Introduction. Like my page to receive future releases or have an interest in setting up your Local Food Community – I am here to help.

If you would like to have a preview of the App follow this link . Feel free to reach out in the comments section or email me directly at ritzypete1oc@gmail.com

Political Mindgames Federal & State

For years we have been told local branches pick the best candidates to run for office to to represent their local community. Forward to 2022 – Morrison does a “NSW preselection intervention” Let’s stop the mindgames.

Do not let them sideline your argument with “that’s a State issue”. If you are unhappy with how the party is performing on a State or Federal issue make sure they know about it and any & all elections – Leave them in no doubt you are not happy with the party.

The NSW issue on a fair pay deal for State employees is a point in question. A limit of 2.5% pay increases for State employees is not a pay increase it is a pay cut not keeping up with the cost of living. The NSW Government hangs it hat on getting re-elected with infrastructure commitments and, if you listen to the media, football stadium upgrades. It’s what they are doing for the communities of NSW – MINDGAMES.

More road & rail corridors & comfortable football stadiums are wonderful but at the expense of a fair days pay for a fair days work? Mind you they sell off the rights to these assets to private business recouping their costs and we pay with tolls and entry fees. With cost of Living expenses going up quicker than wage growth our usage and attendance will be limited to the private sector – the public sector will not have disposable income to utilise. The Wage increase for NSW politicians was easy to roll out?

It is time we made sure that a fair pay deal, with ongoing commitment, becomes an election issue. Lets slow down the cash handouts, trinkets and infrastructure projects and look after all our workers to ensure they can get a fair return for the work they do

Let me tell you about Joe

Let me tell you about

Joseph Jeremiah O'Connor

14th May 1924
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3rd March 2006

Army Number NX169714
Enlisted 7th July 1942
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Discharged 11th July 1946

After enlistment Joe was initially assigned to the 14th Infantry Brigade and sent to Bathurst on 13th July 1942 where he completed
Early training included Small Arms course in September’42 Q90% &
Junior Leaders course in November/December Q65%

He was transferred to the AIF and allotted Army Number on 27th April 1943 & on 19th May 1943 sent to Jungle Warfare Training Camp Canungra. Assigned to the 2/31st Battalion 25th Brigade 7th Division on 19th July 1943 (The members of the 2/31st Battalion had returned to Australia in January of 1943 – only 55 men were fit for duty after campaigns in Kokoda, Gorari & Gona.)

He returned with the 2/31st to New Guinea from 23rd July 1943 to 31st January 1944 where they saw service in the Salamaua – Lae campagn & Finisterre Range campaign Returning to Australia on 27th January 1944 on board the Kanimbla from Port Moresby arriving Townsville 31st January 1944 to prepare for the next phase of the war.

After a year training in the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland they embarked from Townsville on June 6th 1945 disembarking at Morotai on 15th June 1945 and embarking Morotai on 22nd June 1945 before participating in the landing at Balikpapan with the rest of the 7th Division on July 2nd 1945. The Battalion had been involved in the fighting until July 26th when as a result of high casualities (44 killed and 134 wounded) they were moved to the rear.

Following the end of the War, the Battalion was stationed around Bandjermasin (the capital of Dutch Borneo) for the surrender of the Japanese. Joe did a report on this surrender for his home town of Wagga Wagga -see below.

The final trip home was on 25th January 1946 on board HMAS Kinimbla arriving Brisbane on 4th February 1946. The Battalion was disbanded the following month. Joe was initially transferred for reposting before being discharged on 11th July 1946

Reference Joe’s Service Records plus On-Line Battalion Report

Plastic – Unfinished or misadventure

Plastics are the most common form of marine debris. They can come from a variety of land and ocean-based sources; enter the water in many ways; and impact the ocean and Great Lakes. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades. Yellow text in the above graphic shows sources of plastic that eventually end up in the ocean. Orange text shows ways that these plastics move into the ocean. Red text provides examples of the harmful impacts of this debris. Reference US Department of Commerce – National Ocean Service

Yesterday – Today – the Future

It is difficult to understand how Plastic would have been approved and released had we known the impact on our environment and ourselves.

Whilst you can understand the development and rise in popularity of its use at the end of WWII in the circumstances that exited at the time the same cannot be said for our continued use without addressing the issues that are now known.

Plastic & Water – a lethal combination

Plastic never completely biodegrades making its accumulation in any environment an issue that must be addressed. In water its impact on the environment is that of a serial killer. As it claims victims, their bodies are returned to the environment however the plastic that caused its death remains to claim new victims. Consider:

Marine Life are ingesting or being entangled in our waste plastic causing many to suffocate or starve as their stomachs fill up with plastic they have mistaken for food *
Microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, salt and are present in all samples collected in the world’s oceans. The chemicals used in the production of plastic and others that attach to microplastics accumulates into our food. The transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans through consumption of seafood has been identified as a health hazard, but has not yet been adequately researched. *
The healthy worlds oceans account for over 1/2 of our oxygen produced everyday **

Where to from here?

The most important decision to be made is to commit to taking an active interest.

Research some of the many articles that are freely available to obtain opinions. A great number of articles need to be researched and considered on the merit of the author or their allegiance. Have they a vested interest in a particular view.
Form your own opinion by balancing the research you considered.
Consider what you can do in your life to assist. The recent events of CoVid-19 and Carbon emission have demonstrated that the world’s issues are not ones we can rely on others to effectively deal with. We must all make an effort to assist no matter how small.
Do it and tell your family and friends to encourage them to do likewise

My action plan

Much of the research I have used in forming my opinion is referenced in this blog. With 300 million tons of plastic produced every year and 8% ending up in our oceans, I believe we have created too significant an issue to simply look for alternatives to plastic and walk away leaving the stockpile to endanger our way of life.

There needs to be a commitment to research and develop ways to biodegrade plastic both in the future and current stockpiles or alternatively utilise it in new developed products that do not now or in the future create an issue for the environment. I will make every lawfull effort to encourage the development of a strategy to assist.

In addition, I am committed to doing what I can for the health of myself, family, local residents and the environment my commitment includes:

Reducing my use of plastic (particularly single use) at home with rubbish, storage, cooking/reheating, purchasing – for overall usage I consider alternatives
On my daily walks (particularly along the foreshores) look for, pickup and put into rubbish discarded pieces of plastic & glass regardless of size
compost food scraps, lawn clippings etc to provide healthy soils to produce our own vegetables & herbs
purchase food locally from farmers committed to regenerative agriculture
when we go to enjoy the outdoors with local takeaway meals we support Surfrider Foundation Australia Ocean Friendly outlets and take our own reusable cutlery

Very happy to share this journey with other like minded individuals to get/provide ideas and encourage others to join

References

* International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

** National Geographic

How to support Co Vid-19 recovery locally

Spending at your local farmers’ market adds extra dollars to the local economy

Spending $50 buying local product from local farmers at local markets adds a minimum $150 to your local economy. Spend $50 with a local farmer – the farmers spends it locally (now $100) and they spend it locally (now $150). Spend $50 with a national retailer – $3 stays within the local economy – the local employee spends it locally (now $6) and they spend it locally (now $9). Which supports the locally economy best $150 or $9 – that extra effort to support locally contributes to a strong vibrant local economy. read more

Other reasons to support your local farmers

Taste Real Flavours

The fruits and vegetables you buy at the farmers market are the freshest and tastiest available. Fruits are allowed to ripen fully in the field and are brought directly to you—no long-distance shipping, no gassing to simulate the ripening process, no sitting for weeks in storage. This food is as real as it gets—fresh from the farm.

Know Where Your Food Comes From

A regular trip to a farmer’s market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking to farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more about how and where food is produced. Connectivity is available in the food community – see websites and social media pages that provides transparency of the farmer to know their story. Learn about the people who work hard to bring you the most delicious and nutritious food around

Learn Cooking Tips, Recipes, and Meal Ideas

Few grocery store cashiers or produce stockers will give you tips on how to cook the ingredients you buy, but farmers, ranchers, and artisans at the farmers market are often passionate cooks with plenty of free advice about how to cook the foods they are selling. Many have recipes on line to access the best cooking advice from the producer.

Enjoy the Season

The food you buy at the farmers market is seasonal. It is fresh and delicious and reflects the truest flavours. Shopping and cooking from the farmers market help you to reconnect with the cycles of nature in your region. As you look forward to asparagus in spring, savour sweet corn in summer, or bake pumpkins in autumn, you reconnect with the earth, the weather, and the turning of the year.

Support Family Farmers

Family farmers need your support, now that large agribusiness dominates food production. Small family farms often have a determination to manage their raw materials with sustainable and renewable practices to ensure they are available for future generations. Buying directly from farmers gives them a better return for their produce, encourages them and others to undertake sustainable food practices and gives them a fighting chance in today’s globalized economy.

Protect the Environment

Food travels an average of 1,000 miles to get to your plate. All this shipping uses large amounts of natural resources (especially fossil fuels), contributes to pollution, and creates rubbish with extra packaging. Conventional agriculture also uses many more resources than sustainable agriculture and pollutes water, land, and air with agricultural by-products. Food at the farmers market is transported shorter distances and is generally grown using methods that respect the land and water minimizing the impact on the earth.

Nourish Yourself

Much food found in grocery stores is highly processed and grown using pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification. Some of it has been irradiated, waxed, or gassed in transit. These practices may have negative effects on human health. In contrast, most food found at the farmers market is minimally processed, and many of our farmers go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible by using sustainable techniques, picking produce right before the market.

Discover the Spice of Life: Variety

At the farmers market you find an amazing array of produce that you don’t see in your average supermarket: lemongrass, purple cauliflower, truffles, marinated varieties of meats, green garlic, watermelon radishes, quail eggs and much, much more. It is a wonderful opportunity to savour the biodiversity of our planet.

Promote Humane Treatment of Animals

At the farmers market, you can find meats, cheeses, and eggs from animals that have been raised without hormones or antibiotics, who have grazed on green grass and eaten natural diets, and who have been spared the cramped and unnatural living conditions of feedlots and cages that are typical of animal agriculture.

Connect with Your Community

Wouldn’t you rather stroll amidst outdoor stalls of fresh produce on a sunny day than roll your cart around a grocery store with artificial lights and piped in music? Coming to the farmers market makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore. The farmers market is a community hub—a place to meet up with your friends, bring your children, or just get a taste of small-town life in the midst of our wonderful big city.

Farmers Markets are evolving

Home delivery & Market delivery

Farmers’ Markets have developed within our communities with regular markets building the relationships between the Consumer and the Farmer. The chance to meet, learn their story and commitment to the produce and the soil and water they manage to produce it. Not to forget the preparation tips and recipes that they make available.

The current CoVid-19 virus, with the forced temporary closure of many markets, has seen the development of the relationship to include home delivery and in some markets a group home delivery where you can order the produce from more than one farmer and have it packed and at your door in one delivery (1 delivery charge).

Looking at the Sydney markets the likes of The Market Drop and Lucy, Paul & Zoe The work is undertaken by the stallholders themselves adding a certain surety to product quality & service.

Will it ever replace the actual markets? – not a chance; the markets are where relationships are built and understanding and respect for their contribution to our health and wellbeing are appreciated. They will however have a future, just like the online order and home delivery service offered by the Supermarkets. It is handy if regular attendance to the markets cannot be assured – personal commitments, weather – hopefully no more pandemics

View the farmer, the markets and the delivery options of these stallholders on this purpose built Sourced Club app

Author: Peter O'Connor

Farm to Plate – A do it yourself MUST

Public Social Media – Who wins

Landing Page to Market your Business (Market Hub)

Self Supporting Food Community