SAGE NSW Inc is a not-for-profit community organisation working with a strong network of supporters, volunteers, growers, food producers and businesses who make up the local food community. Our 2021 Strategic Plan is here.
The impacts of climate change impacts in the form of bushfires, floods, droughts, and other disasters highlight the need for a sustainable and resilient local food economy - food grown by local growers, provided to local people, at a fair price.
SAGE creates access to locally grown food. Access which is under threat from globalisation, agribusiness, genetically modified species, and the domination of food distribution by major supermarkets.
To be part of a thriving, resilient and secure local food community.
Our mission is to grow the local fair food community of people who grow, eat, prepare, sell, share, and work with local food. We want to enhance our community’s physical, mental, and social health, and create jobs, business opportunities and connections.
SAGE is a volunteer organisation created and driven by members who live within our community. People are at the centre of everything we do.
SAGE was incorporated on Nov 19 2009.
Sustainability through practices that provide enough for everyone, forever.
Education drives SAGE’s contribution to sustainable living in Eurobodalla. Our workshops cover topics from growing to cooking and everything in between.
New sustainable enterprises are emerging, such as the SAGE Seed Savers and a collaborative Institute of Sustainability with other local education providers.
Agriculture - Food production is the bedrock of a strong local economy and essential for a resilient local food system. The award-winning SAGE Farmers Market has had a significant positive impact for our local producers, making small-scale farming commercially viable once again.
Stepping Stone Farm (SSF) was established by us in 2020 to showcase sustainable agricultural practices. SSF is creating jobs in Eurobodalla through our intern program that trains market gardeners, help secure our food supply as a productive working farm and, as a result, is a service our community. The Stepping Stone (SSF) Internship is at the heart of our mission to “grow the growers”. The SSF intern initiative and its predecessor, the SAGE Intern program, have between them produced a new vegetable grower for the community every year since 2013.
Gardening - Home gardening is another important contributor to local food security. The SAGE Garden demonstrates how we can all grow our own food in our home gardens. It is also a gathering place for other community groups and is the venue for many SAGE social events. Our garden is a place filled with life and the promise of delicious meals to share. It is the heart of SAGE.
Eurobodalla - Through seasonal celebrations and other events, SAGE connects to the Eurobodalla community. The growing and eating of food brings people together, creating strong community connections between individuals, groups and organisations. SAGE is a volunteer organisation created and driven by members who live within our community. People are at the centre of everything we do.