DOWN ON THE FARM

Acre Farm & Eatery, located in the Melbourne retail and residential space of Burwood Brickworks, with its lofty ambitions at being the world’s most sustainable shopping centre, boasts some equally worthwhile achievements of its own. One of the largest urban agricultural projects in Australia, the expansive space includes a restaurant, Acre Kitchen, headed up by chef Brad Simpson, and a cafe inside a greenhouse, both of which sit within a 2500-square-metre urban farm. “The menu will borrow flavours and styles from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and local flavours,” Simpson has explained. “The main idea is it’s approachable, tasty, honest, family food with a distinct connection to our rooftop farm, local producers, growers and fisherman… I believe in cooking with minimal wastage. I am far from an expert but I am on a mission to be a little bit better every day.” The space includes a community centre, henhouse, worm farm and beehives. It also offers farm tours, workshops, cooking classes, and community volunteer opportunities. acrefarmandeatery.com.au