Seventeen years ago, Rob Pekin decided to radicalise the way we shop for and distribute fresh food. His concept for a new food system was based on community, connection and localisation – and the result is an Australian-wide food systems revolution called Food Connect

Born and bred on a dairy farm in western Victoria, Rob began to imagine a different kind of food system after he lost the family farm and fell into a depression.

“The food connect model started out as a multi-farmer community-supported agriculture project. It was really my attempt as a pretty busted-up dairy farmer, disgruntled with the world and how it worked, saying – well, if I’m going to do something on a solutions side of things, I have to address probably the biggest source of misuse of power, which is in the distribution side of things.”

In the latest episode of the Sense-making in a Changing World podcast, I chat with Rob about his journey and the Food Connect vision.  Hear more in this earlier interview with Rob's partner and Food Connect co-creator, Emma Kate Rose. (interviewed on Episode 14)

What they’ve created is an is an inspiring  highly networked localised ethical and regenerative  food system -  one that nourishes growers, consumers, producers, the earth and foregrounds indigenous voices.

Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise care for country, the waters and biodiversity for millenia.

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This podcast is supported by the Permaculture Education Institute.

Thanks to Rhiannon Gamble for editing, and Kim Kirkman for the introductory music.

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This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠

CLICK HERE to learn permaculture design, gardening, education, communication and leadership with Morag Gamble

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This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.