The IFS Cookbook
This week, I was very pleased to be able to get our IFS cookbook uploaded onto the students’ ipads and set the first working project from it. Diet, and the subsequent education of our students about their dietary needs is an important part of our football program.
For any athlete to achieve their full potential and to be a consistent top performer over an extended period of time, the quality-of-life decisions away from the athletic/college environment are crucial.
Through the projects set in the IFS cookbook, the aim is to provide information to develop critical thinking skills so that decisions that optimise long-term performance can be made. This includes being an educated consumer and I am currently sourcing local suppliers of the fresh foods we serve the students. I will gradually update the cookbook with this information and this will identify the local suppliers in our community and the important role they play.
In terms of ‘food miles’, locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centres as opposed to developing on the fringe. This means contributing less to greenhouse gas emissions, urban sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. Studies have shown that buying from an independent, locally owned business, significantly increases the number of times your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms—continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
Studies have also revealed that the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term is through small business. They are vital as they each select products based on their own interests and the requirements of the local community, and not on a national sales plan.
There is much additional knowledge to be gained from the cookbook and the introduction of the grower from Canobolas that supplies our apples and pears is just one example. Mount Canobolas is situated approximately 15kms from the Orange CBD. The Orange region’s climate, soil, geology & topography make up a distinct and unique growing environment for apples. Some argue it’s the best growing conditions for apples anywhere in Australia. Growing on the slopes of extinct volcano Mt Canobolas, in cool temperatures with a long slow ripening period and plentiful natural rainfall, ensures apples of intense natural flavour and colour.
If you get the chance when visiting IFS , try one of these apples or pears. I highly recommend them.
Julie Dolan
Leave a Reply