Sustainable Table is a young and innovative not-for-profit organisation that empowers people to use their shopping dollar to vote for a food system that is fair, humane, healthy and good for the environment. With up to 60% of our personal eco-footprint embodied in the food that we buy, there is no better place to start. Globally, we support projects in developing communities that help restore the natural environment and improve food security.
It so often comes back to the way we farm animals; that’s what gives us nightmares. Conventional farming doesn’t necessarily take the most ethical or ecological approach, yet the two are one in the same – what is good for the environment is also what is better for the animals. It’s worth mentioning it’s also what is best for our own health. Often we think about how we will ever get the message out to a broad enough audience to influence real change. How can we shift people’s consumption of meat towards a more mindful, ecological and humane approach? If only there was a silver bullet solution.
That Australians learn to love growing their own food. We want to see food growing wherever possible – fruit and vegetables on nature strips, on people’s balconies, in their backyards, in company courtyards… growing our own food can help take the pressure off our already overwhelmed food system and improve our food security. At the same time, it can help people to reconnect with where food comes from. Perhaps a new food culture will be born as a result, one of respect for the land, for farmers and for the life-giving properties of food itself.
Everyone on the team grows many of their own veggies as well as composts, which is so important in order to help reduce methane emissions coming out of landfill. We also all purchase the majority of our food from organic producers (mostly direct at farmers’ markets) and are mindful meat consumers – if we do eat meat, we’re careful about choosing only ecologically-produced meat.
We’re a team of six, so here’s what our perfect final supper would be: An antipasto platter jam packed with fresh local produce, a nourishing vegetable and udon noodle soup, hearty vegetable ratatouille, spanakopita (Greek spinach and cheese pie), mangoes, haloumi and avocado and a decadent chocolate cake with real vanilla ice cream.
Our website is packed full of incredibly useful information and handy guides on how to shop more sustainably – one of the best ways people can get involved is to hop on the site, download the info and share it with their friends, family and colleagues – help us spread the word! Then there’s also the harsh reality of financing the work we do and supporting our local and international development projects – we are always grateful to receive donations via our site or through our fundraising campaigns throughout the year.

Give a Fork!
Sustainable Table have launched their first ever inaugural Give a Fork! campaign, this year focussing on the issue of seafood and sustainability. Here they share the story behind the campaign and how to get involved.
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"...if one has not dined well": an interview with Sarah Robins
Sarah Robins has worked for Slow Food Melbourne, the Victorian Farmers Markets Association and sustainable food organisation, Sustainable Table. Her book Seasonal Regional takes a peak into the wonderful world of some of Australia's food producers.
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