Time to eat and think

The Canberra Environment Centre holds a panel discussion on ‘‘how to eat well, ecologically’’ on Thursday, August 15, named Eatology: the Science of Eating. ‘‘Whether you’re a locavore, organivore, omnivore or farmaniac, what you put on your plate has an ecological impact and it isn’t always easy to know what that impact is,’’ the group says, asking ‘‘what is the best meal for the upstanding ecological citizen?’’ The forum, focused on eating in the Canberra region, will involve local farmers and academics and is hosted by the Australia Institute’s Richard Dennis in a Q&A style. Speakers are Dave Pentony, owner of Gleann Na Meala organic farm at Hall and the Choku Bai Jo shops; Sue Armstrong, owner of Greenhill biodynamic beef near Bungendore; David Pearson, director of the University of Canberra’s Food Matters program; Helen King, a PhD student studying soil health, carbon accounting and grazing; and Elisabetta Faenz from the Mulloon Institute. Is chocolate OK to eat, the group asks? Sounds like a question worth answering. 6pm-8pm at the Manning Clarke Theatre, Australian National University. Free, but you need to book. 6248 0885.