Impossible Exporting?

[Cspr]

So I'm new and my first order of business is strange, but I'm afraid that's my normal state of being.

My other half is studying in Australia and is eating highly processed foods, basically what he can afford. I feel terrible, because I'm over here feeding my rabbits forage of all things; however, he doesn't want me paying for anything to send, so I figured I'd fall back on what I grow, gather, and catch.

I thought I'd try to make him veg kits in canning jars. I forage anyway, so I know a good variety of plants that will taste like spinach in a stew and will give him some good vitamins and minerals, not just sodium and preservatives. So half of the jars would be full of dried greens for cooking. Might dry out any overripe fruit, make a mash for leather. I've also considered fish or squirrel jerky and some way of preserving crayfish. I'm thinking of getting quail eventually, but I'm not sure if that counts as me "paying". Probably. Sigh.

If anyone has some helpful hints or knowledge on this, I'd be much, MUCH obliged.

Thanks, people.

[emdeengee]

Better check to see what you are allowed to send. Australia takes its biosecurity very seriously. For instance dried fruit and veggies containing any seeds (berries) will be removed from your package.

I don't understand why he is not buying fresh food. Australia has a great market system.

[Fennick]

I agree with Emdeengee, you will first need to find out what kinds of foods you are allowed to mail to Australia in accordance with their biosecurity restrictions, and how it must be packaged. You might be able to send some kinds of cultivated farmed plant foods but I don't think you'll be allowed to send any foraged or wild-crafted plant foods or wild caught meats.

This Australian government website should help you with information about what foods you can or cannot mail there.

http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/t...an_biosecurity

http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/mail/cant-mail

[Limon]

Also check into shipping costs. As someone who has mailed things to Australia before, I can tell you it's expensive. Canning jars will only add to the cost; it's done by weight.

As mentioned above, Australia has no shortage of fresh food. If he's not buying it, perhaps it's his choice and he likes what he's eating. It would cost a lot less for him to buy fresh food there than it would for you to ship him stuff.

[rambler]

Local food, inexpensive.

Local special food, costs some.

Food shipped from half way across the world, made with love, priceless.



Yea, that is a tough one, import laws and shipping make it tough.

Paul

[am1too]

Sounds like to me he's being a typical male.

[Maura]

Part of growing up is learning to take care of yourself. Send him a cookbook with inexpensive meals.

[Cspr]

Thanks for all the input. As he's said, he doesn't want me paying things, and shipping would just cost more than the food there he could buy himself. :c Sadness. It's mostly because while he's doing so good, he's only got me and his friends. No family. Also, I'm a feeder. He's like, "I can't even buy noodles and milk," and I'm like, "Let me love you, I'll make some extra grits and eggs!" But he's in Australia.

Our long distance relationship issues are sort of hilarious. We're both perfectly okay with waiting three years with Skype and all, but I'm upset because I cannot make him food. XD I suppose I could see if I could turn a profit with my grown, raised, and caught stuff and just wire him the money for him to get stuff over there. He'll hate feeling like I have to help support him, but that's how a relationship works darn it. XD

[wogglebug]

I've lived in Australia, everywhere from very rural area to Sydney, Canberra, and smaller cities and towns.
If he wanted fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, grains or pasta, tinned or frozen vegetables and fruit, he would be able to find it cheaper and easier than finding unhealthy stuff.
Only thing difficult to find cheap would be whole grains and legumes (except rice) - not hard to find the goods, not impossible to find them cheap, but not easy to find cheap.

My guess, he's getting pre-prepped stuff that's quick and easy to get ready, and would rather spend the money doing that (yes, of course it's more expensive than cheap unprocessed stuff) than spending the time preparing and eating healthy food.

[Belfrybat]

Why can't he buy noodles and milk in Australia? Sorry, but I think he's pulling your chain.

[Cspr]

@Wogglebug: He can cook. He does eat as healthy as he can, but he eats what he calls uni food, and everything he says makes me, a hypoglycemic, cringe.

@Belfry: Lack of money. I thought I made it clear, but mostly while I'm over here living the high life, he's scraping by. Which is why I wanted to send him things I spent time rather than money on in an attempt to make him feel less bad than just straight up wiring him cash.

[Sara in IN]

Have him look up Rhonda Hetzel's blog "Down to Earth" http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com

Rhonda writes about frugal living in Oz, including a couple of books: what grows in their backyard, frugal recipes, how to stock and cook from your pantry, farmers' markets, local food and making bread.

[Maura]

What we are all saying is: it's not the money. He wants to eat easy, and that's what he's doing.

[Cspr]

-bows out- Thanks for the talk. He just doesn't want me to interfere, just do what's good for me. He's too much of a gentleman, I suppose? Anyway.