Newsletters 2018

By teaching simple methods such as using mulch in gardens, growing local plants and teaching people how to cook local foods in a way that creates appealing and nutritious meals, excellent results can be achieved.

Technology can be a help or a distraction. Bruce reminisces on the changes of using and storing food plant information over the years.

Bruce has passed 30,000 edible plants in the database. He is delighted at finding excellent information on plants in South America but expresses concern at the damage being made in natural locations.

Diversity remains the answer to nutrition.

Bruce discusses the nuts, fruit and nectar which are available in the Proteaceae family.

Awareness of world food resources and learning to practise good stewardship and good nutrition.

The world population is increasing rapidly and is now put at 7.6 billion.  Our planet hasn’t got any larger.  We need to rethink our methods of feeding the world.

There are almost 250 edible species in the Cucurbitaceae (pumpkin) family, some of which are not well-known.

The Phyllanthaceae family is highlighted this month. 219 species in this family have edible parts, and children often forage for them.

The Food Plants International database has 388 species in the Ericaceae or heath family that are edible.  Because of their high altitude locations most could probably be grown satisfactorily in lower altitude temperate locations.

Bruce discusses edible flowers which are often overlooked as good nutrition. Children often suck the nectar out of flowers.  Edible flower arrangements can easily be located on the internet.

Bruce reminds us that for the good of our health and the planet, it’s time to discover diversity. He updates the statistics for the Food Plants International database.