HEALTH

FOOD TECH NATIF INCURSION

On Thursday 27 March, the two Year 11 food tech classes got to experience a wonderful incursion run by the founder of NATIF (Native Australian Traditional Indigenous Foods) founded by, Julie Merlet. During this incursion we were able to extend our knowledge about the Indigenous Australian food, culture and produce. We learnt about how the company started. The nutritional benefits of the variety of foods which are sold, where they are found and how they are used. Julie explained where the foods are located within Australia and how they are sourced in a safe and sustainable way.

She started off the incursion with a short briefing of why she started her business, where the food was located, the health benefits of Indigenous food and where they were situated. After the short briefing she then took us to a display of different fresh and dried food and nuts which then allowed us to try and understand the culture and the nutritional benefits. We also tried a Rosella and River Mint tea. Some of the foods we tried were Quandong, Bush Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle, Native Australian Honey, Davidson Plum, Bunya Nut and many more.

Throughout the incursion everyone was incredibly engaged and listening carefully about the content that was being delivered, Julie kindly brought in many different items that we were able to try to learn and develop our own knowledge and sensory evaluation of different berries and spices not usually grown and found in Australia. 

This was a very amazing experience and definitely something to take into consideration. We would like to thank Julie for this wonderful incursion. 

My Linh Tong & Jasmine Duarte

Year 11 Students