Practical Workshop + Share Table

How to Preserve Food

presented by Roman from SpurTopia

Sunday 5 October 2025

2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Please book so we have your contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Learn

2.00 pm - How to Preserve Food

Presented by Roman Spur

This food preservation workshop is designed to teach participants practical skills for keeping food fresh and safe for longer periods.

In this workshop, attendees explore:

the science behind spoilage and discover various preservation techniques such as drying, fermenting, pickling, freezing, salting & sugaring, vacuum sealing and smoking.
the step-by-step processes and also essential safety practices to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses.

We will also talk about making turmeric & ginger lemonade, fruit wine making, citrus candy, jam making etc.

The session includes practical demonstrations of making sauerkraut and tasting preserved products.

By the end of the workshop, participants will gain confidence in applying preservation methods at home, reducing waste, saving money, and ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food year-round.

Produce for Sale

Roman will bring some home produce for purchase - cash only.

About our Presenter – Roman Spur

Roman is an inspirational, educational and empowering presenter. As a sustainable design engineer he lives what he preaches. He transforms an inner city rented property into a productive food source, converted a workshop shed to a liveable shed and has established a SpurTopia Homestead where they live sustainably in abundance and complete happiness.

You could see him on the ABC TV's Gardening Australia, Channel 11 TV’s Totally Wild, Channel 9, Bris 31 TV's Blooming in Brisbane, radio interviews, newspapers, magazines or presentations and workshops.

Roman and his family passionately share their knowledge, experience, ideas and inventions. Their sustainable living story and working towards self-sufficiency (growing food, making home produce, up-cycling materials, using urban environment to their benefit and living in a small functional community) make the family less reliant on the society.

They created SpurTopia – Sustainable paradise.

http://www.spurtopia.com.au/

Light Afternoon Tea (provided) and Share Table

A light afternoon tea will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

What to Bring

KeepCup or similar for your drink at afternoon tea (we're trying to minimise waste)
Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing.

Cost

Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person
Non-Members - $20 per person
Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership 2025

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home. It's reduced price after 30 June for 1/2 year membership.

Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost.

You can pay your membership for 2025 at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/