Every Greek knows the importance of olives and olive oil. In fact, many of Australia’s streets have been colonised by olive trees by post-war Greek and other immigrant communities. There as a time before the great waves of Greek and southern European migration when olive oil was only available at chemists as a medicinal ointment, and most Australians used lard to cook in.

Over the years not only has olive oil become the preferred cooking oil for taste it has become the essential ingredient in the healthy Mediterranean diet.

On April 19, CERES and 300acres will partner with the Darebin, Merri-bek and Yarra councils to celebrate the olive season in the Olives to Oil Festival.

Melbournians are encouraged to harvest olives and bring them to drop off points to have them pressed into local olive oil.

There will be a free festival from 11am-4pm on Sunday May 21 at CERES Environment Park in Brunswick East, with food, music, culture, face painting, pruning workshops and olive pressing demonstrations.

For those looking to have some olives pressed into oil, they can book a spot to drop them off, on the day at either at CERES Brunswick, CERES Fair Food in Preston, Corner Store Network in Oakleigh or the Hobsons Bay Festival of Food in Newport (4th of June drop off)

CERES encourages those looking to participate to pick local olive trees, no earlier than Friday 19 May, to ensure freshness.

It is free of charge for residents of Darebin, Merri-bek, Yarra and Hobsons Bay, and $15 for those outside those councils, and an extra $5 if the olive harvest is over 50kg

After the festival, it will take two to three weeks for the oil to arrive, where those who dropped off olives, will bring their own or purchase a bottle, to collect the oil.

Visit the CERES website to book your spot or for more information about the day https://ceres.org.au/olives-to-oil/