The Food for Thought series has been cancelled for 2020, but the topic and speakers will be rescheduled for 2021. For more information or to be added to our events email list, please contact the Academy events team.

What does a locally grown, sustainable diet mean to you? Perhaps it’s time to expand your palate to chow down on a crunchy cricket, sample a sprinkle of lemon myrtle or taste a tangy bush tomato chutney.

Crickets are touted as the newest “super food” boasting essential amino acids and high iron content, while our native quandong is high in vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. And then there is the whole food waste issue – or rather food processing by-products, which are high in nutritive value.

As climate change alters the land, some say it’s time to start looking at alternative food sources to meet our nutrition needs. This could mean munching on insects as a sustainable source of protein (something 80 per cent of the world already does daily) or looking to cultivate native foods that are better adapted to Australia’s arid environment or repurposing high value food processing by-products in or into other foods.

Join us to unearth alternative food sources set to power future food consumers.

Dr Anneline Padayachee is a nutritionist, food scientist and award-winning science communicator. She has expertise in topics ranging from gut health to the future of food proteins. Anneline provides independent scientific consulting services and nutrition advice through The Food and Nutrition Doctor, and holds adjunct/associate positions at the University of Queensland and University of Melbourne.

Sharon Winsor is the founder of Indigiearth, a business that provides premium bush foods sustainably and ethically sourced from Australian native flora and fauna. Sharon is a Ngemba Weilwan woman from western NSW and has had a lifelong passion for Aboriginal food. Indigiearth offers more than 200 products including green ants, native herbs and spices, and fruits.

Tickets include refreshments at 5.30pm, followed by the talks at 6.00pm - 7.00pm.

This is the fourth event in the six-part series. For more information about the series, please visit the Academy website.

Please note: By purchasing tickets and attending this event, you agree to adhere to the Australian Academy of Science Participant Code of Conduct.