In this episode of Paddock, Plate & Planet, we speak with two passionate advocates for bush foods: Peter Cooley, a proud Bidjigal man and CEO of IndigiGrow, and Mindy Woods, Bundjalung woman, celebrated chef, restaurateur and 2022 MasterChef finalist.

Peter & Mindy share how their own journeys with bush foods have been inseparable from learning about culture, community & Country. Both speak about the role of their elders in passing down knowledge — and how food can carry memory, identity and connection.

They discuss the growing market for bush foods, and why this growth must centre Aboriginal leadership. For Peter & Mindy, it isn’t just about bringing native ingredients into kitchens, but about ensuring Aboriginal people are the ones growing, harvesting & profiting from them.

The conversation also touches on their collaboration in Byron Bay, where they are working together on a native foods garden & restaurant that will showcase Aboriginal food culture and create new ways for people to connect with Country through food.

This is a story of culture, knowledge & sovereignty — and a hopeful vision for a food future grounded in care.

Read more about Peter Cooley and Indigigrow here: Macdoch Foundation | Philanthropic foundation

Read more about Mindy Woods and Kalkalla on Country here: Mindy Woods Karkalla Byron Bay

In this episode of Paddock, Plate &amp; Planet, we speak with two passionate advocates for bush foods: Peter Cooley, a proud Bidjigal man and CEO of IndigiGrow, and Mindy Woods, Bundjalung woman, celebrated chef, restaurateur and 2022 MasterChef finalist.
Peter &amp; Mindy share how their own journeys with bush foods have been inseparable from learning about culture, community &amp; Country. Both speak about the role of their elders in passing down knowledge &mdash; and how food can carry memory, identity and connection.
They discuss the growing market for bush foods, and why this growth must centre Aboriginal leadership. For Peter &amp; Mindy, it isn&rsquo;t just about bringing native ingredients into kitchens, but about ensuring Aboriginal people are the ones growing, harvesting &amp; profiting from them.
The conversation also touches on their collaboration in Byron Bay, where they are working together on a native foods garden &amp; restaurant that will showcase Aboriginal food culture and create new ways for people to connect with Country through food.
This is a story of culture, knowledge &amp; sovereignty &mdash; and a hopeful vision for a food future grounded in care.
Read more about Peter Cooley and Indigigrow here: <a href="https://macdochfoundation.org/">Macdoch Foundation | Philanthropic foundation</a>
Read more about Mindy Woods and Kalkalla on Country here: <a href="https://www.karkalla.com.au/about">Mindy Woods Karkalla Byron Bay</a>

Paddock, Plate and Planet is a podcast about the journey of food — from the paddock to the plate — and the bigger task of caring for our planet in a time of climate change. 

We bring you conversations with the people shaping the future of food systems: First Nations voices caring for Country, farmers regenerating land and producing food, chefs and butchers rethinking how we eat, and market-makers building fairer ways to connect producers and eaters.

Across paddocks, kitchens, and marketplaces, people are already testing new approaches to growing, preparing, and sharing food. Their work is building resilience, restoring ecosystems, and creating models that could transform the way we feed ourselves. These are stories about ideas and experiments, about risk, resilience, culture and care. Together, they show what it will take to create food systems that are fair, healthy and sustainable.

Produced by the Macdoch Foundation, this series offers a unique perspective by connecting grassroots voices with global conversations on food, farming and climate. It shines a light on the people driving transformation from the ground up — and why their insights matter for the future of us all.

Paddock, Plate and Planet is a podcast about the journey of food &mdash; from the paddock to the plate &mdash; and the bigger task of caring for our planet in a time of climate change.&nbsp;
We bring you conversations with the people shaping the future of food systems: First Nations voices caring for Country, farmers regenerating land and producing food, chefs and butchers rethinking how we eat, and market-makers building fairer ways to connect producers and eaters.
Across paddocks, kitchens, and marketplaces, people are already testing new approaches to growing, preparing, and sharing food. Their work is building resilience, restoring ecosystems, and creating models that could transform the way we feed ourselves. These are stories about ideas and experiments, about risk, resilience, culture and care. Together, they show what it will take to create food systems that are fair, healthy and sustainable.
Produced by the Macdoch Foundation, this series offers a unique perspective by connecting grassroots voices with global conversations on food, farming and climate. It shines a light on the people driving transformation from the ground up &mdash; and why their insights matter for the future of us all.

Paddock, Plate and Planet

Paddock, Plate & Planet is a podcast following the journey of food from paddock to plate, and the bigger task of caring for our planet in a time of climate change.We talk with those working across the food system:  farmers producing food and regenerating land, First Nations people caring for Country, chefs and butchers reshaping what and how we eat, and market-makers creating fairer ways to connect local producers with buyers and everyday people. Across paddocks, kitchens, and marketplaces, people are already testing other approaches. They’re building resilience, restoring ecosystems, and creating models that could transform the way we feed ourselves.If you’re working in agriculture, food, or sustainability - or are simply curious about how your food system operates - join us. Please subscribe and share this podcast with others interested in shaping the future of food.

Paddock, Plate &amp; Planet&nbsp;is a podcast following the journey of food from paddock to plate, and the bigger task of caring for our planet in a time of climate change.We talk with those working across the food system: &nbsp;farmers producing food and regenerating land, First Nations people caring for Country, chefs and butchers reshaping what and how we eat, and market-makers creating fairer ways to connect local producers with buyers and everyday people.&nbsp;Across paddocks, kitchens, and marketplaces, people are already testing other approaches. They&rsquo;re building resilience, restoring ecosystems, and creating models that could transform the way we feed ourselves.If you&rsquo;re working in agriculture, food, or sustainability - or are simply curious about how your food system operates&nbsp;- join us. Please subscribe and share this podcast with others interested in shaping the future of food.