As we have already mentioned, ACC has been delivering meals to over 30 families during lockdown, utlising the broader food relief program led by the Darebin Neighbourhood House Network.

As things slowly open up and people can get themselves out and about, our weekly deliveries are dropping off. We’re expecting that this week will be our last run.

For those with an ongoing need for precooked meals or groceries, we are hooking them in to long running, well established existing food relief and broader support services in our community such as DIVRS and Your Community Health.

At ACC, we’ll be looking to resume food related activities in term 3 and 4. But we’re sorry to say that it looks like our community lunches will be on hold for a while.

Instead, we’ll be exploring some other models - such as morning tea out on the corner (weather permitting) - at least until social distancing rules are relaxed.

We’re currently working on a new program for next semester and we’ll be confirming all the details in the coming week or two.

Food delivery in action.

Limes from next door, tamarillos from mum, feijoas from Jenny

Every year I forgive my next door neighbour John (Giovanni) his prolific spreading and digging of blood and bone (surely one of the most unneighbourly of products on earth) when he drops off bags of mandarins and oranges that he has grown in his garden.

This time at home has been a boon for neighbourhood fruit and the sharing of such. Have you also experienced this phenomenon?

I’ve eaten feijoas from my mother-in-law and from the community basket in Yarralea Street in Alphington.

I have had lemons from up the street, limes from my other next door neighbours, tamarillos from my mum (also made into chutney by my friend Ali - and she gave us a jar).

The other day I collected a bag of crispy persimmons from the community box out the front of a house in Howitt Street in Northcote.

I even picked a fig from that tree behind the houses, near Mr Wednesday, when I was walking to work one day.

Good fruit things. Happy neighbourhood days.

Mandarins from John, persimmons from Howitt Street

How good are dumplings? Really, REALLY good. So warm, soft and comforting - just what we all need right now, no?

We came across this new online dumpling-making workshop from Alphington local, and dumpling-making expert, Angie and had to share. For more information visit The Humble Dumpling (such a great name!).

Get together with your friends, family, and even your workmates in groups of 2-16 people, and, via Zoom, learn how to make pork, chicken or vegetarian dumplings from scratch in two hours from the comfort of your own kitchen. 

If anyone wants to send us any dumplings they’ve perfected, we are more than happy to sample and provide feedback…