We were so fortunate to have Leah Galvin join our Board in August of this year, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in community food security.
In this post we learn more about Leah by asking her a few questions about her work, how she came to join our team and as always, a bit about her favourite foods. If you would like to learn more about the other amazing members of our Board, head to our Board Members page.
What is it about The Community Grocer that made you want to join the team?
“It is all about the social enterprise business model for me, I am a long-time fan - I love that it takes culturally appropriate food into people’s neighbourhood, right to where they live and offers well priced fresh food to folks who are struggling to eat well, due mostly to financial reasons. And the other thing I admire is the great Team who get it done every week in sometimes extremely challenging circumstances, like during COVID lock downs. From the leadership of Tess to the volunteers and Market managers on market stalls – brilliant, committed, and caring”
You previously worked with Eat Well Tasmania, an NFP promoting seasonal Tasmanian food and supporting Tasmanian food producers. Why do you think local seasonal produce is important?
“The best answer for this is a favourite quote from the @economicsofhappiness –
“It’s all about local food. Eating local food is a powerful solution-multiplier – it reduces our carbon footprint, pollution, and waste, while creating dignified livelihood opportunities, rebuilding communities and local economies, and strengthening our bodies with healthy fresh food in the process””
Your experience is very impressive - how do you imagine you will contribute to TCG’s strategy?
“I am flattered by that characterisation, thank you. I have worked in and around the issue of community food security for over 20 years. I often do work in other areas of food and regional development, but this is my ‘heart work’. As a Board member you hope to be able to bring strategic mindset to supporting the org to thrive, but I am also happy to add value operationally. I want to make sure that people know about The Community Grocer, how successful its model is and why it should be supported. So, in a practical way I will help with some grant writing.”
What role do you think access to food plays in promoting wellbeing?
“Food is an amazing connector. For wellbeing its part fuelling your body but it’s also about connecting you to place and people. Some of my best memories are from times I sat down and shared food with others. I love our family dinners at home – its not just the food that is nourishing.”
What is your favourite dish?
“Basil pesto with pasta – I have such a strong memory from when I first ate it many years ago. I make a big stash of pesto and freeze it so I can eat it all year round.”
What is something you ate a lot growing up?
“Strangely I don’t have a lot of strong food memories from my childhood, except Dad’s Sunday roast and I was a keen baker. But I do remember that I loved growing and eating strawberries. I still love eating them”
What is your go-to recipe?
“At the moment, my quick midweek dinner for my family is tandoori chicken cooked in the air fryer, with basmati rice and lots of seasonal green veg and local Greek yoghurt. Ready in 30 minutes (not counting the marinating time for the chicken). The reason why I love to cook it is we ALL love to eat it. I bet lots of parents can relate – it’s a high rotation dinner.”
Is there a food you love that other people find a little odd?
“Probably pickled herring. I had Dutch friends who introduced me to it, and I still like to eat it a few times per year.”
If us in Victoria were to pop down to Tasmania- what is the first place you would recommend for a bite to eat?
“I would probably suggest you pop into the Farm Gate Market in Hobart on a Sunday morning for breakfast where they have a bunch of food stalls – there is something for every taste or for lunch or dinner Tom Mc Hugo’s Pub - everything is locally sourced and seasonal.”