Carrington Cafe's Hemp Menu Draws Thousands, Championing Wellness and Community
Once considered a niche health food, hemp is now emerging as one of Australia's most popular superfoods, and a Carrington wellness hub is at the forefront of this movement. Since its opening in August 2024 at 87 Young Street, The Hemporium Wellness Centre & Cafe has attracted thousands of visitors seeking natural remedies for modern stresses like burnout and chronic health issues. This unique venue blends a cafe, wellness clinic, and community space, founded by long-time hemp advocate Karen Burge.
From Personal Struggle to Community Impact
Karen Burge's journey with hemp began twelve years ago when she started consuming hemp-seed smoothies daily to combat anxiety, fatigue, and emotional eating. She describes the transformation as "life-changing", noting that it helped her overcome debilitating symptoms and binge drinking. "The plant gave me the opportunity to take my health back into my own hands," she said. Inspired by her own experience, Burge was determined to share the benefits of hemp with others, leading to the creation of The Hemporium.
Burge, a former vice president of The Church of Ubuntu who managed The Ubuntu Wellness Clinic in Newcastle for over a decade, has been a vocal advocate for hemp. Legalised for human consumption in Australia in 2017, hemp has seen rapid growth in interest. According to the Australian Hemp Council, the national hemp food market is projected to surpass $20 million in 2026, driven by health-conscious consumers looking for sustainable, plant-based alternatives.
Nutritional and Environmental Benefits
Hemp seeds are praised for their rich nutritional profile, containing complete protein, omega-3 and six fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Burge highlights that they offer more protein per gram than chia or flaxseed and a healthier omega ratio than most nuts. Additionally, hemp is a low-impact crop, requiring significantly less water and land compared to soy or dairy production.
"I have helped to establish two hemp farms in our region," Burge said. "Hemp is not only beneficial for food, medicine, and skincare. It can also be grown and used as timber, plastic, paper, fabric, and fibre. Everything we need to not only survive but thrive can be made from hemp." She emphasises that The Hemporium is "the first and only hemp food cafe in the region", making it a pioneer in promoting hemp-based diets.
Easy Ways to Incorporate Hemp into Diets
Adding hemp to one's diet is straightforward, according to Burge. She suggests:
- Sprinkling hemp seeds on meals as a topping.
- Incorporating seeds into recipes for added nutrition.
- Using them as a cheese substitute in baked dishes, as the oils create a crispy texture when heated.
- Blending hemp seeds with water to make hemp milk, a vegan-friendly alternative.
More Than Just a Cafe: A Holistic Community Hub
The Hemporium has evolved into a community beacon for holistic wellness in Newcastle, offering an integrative care model that combines modern and traditional health approaches. The space hosts a variety of events, including:
- Community gatherings and educational workshops.
- Cooking classes and guest speaker sessions.
- Book launches, dinner parties, and monthly mini markets.
Soulful Saturdays have become particularly popular, featuring sound healing, movement classes, guest practitioners, and samples from the hemp-based menu. Items like hemp-seed sourdough toasties, handmade hemp "mylk" smoothies, and cacao mushroom tonics draw crowds seeking both nourishment and connection.
Burge collaborates with local businesses such as Newy Hemp in Newcastle and Made in Hemp at Islington, which stock a range of hemp products, including clothing. "People come here for much more than food. They come to feel seen, heard, and supported. You get a feeling of peace, calm, and wellness just walking through the door ... some say it's just like walking into a big hug," she remarked.
Overcoming Barriers and Advocating for Change
Despite its growing popularity, hemp still faces challenges in Australia, including outdated stigma, limited education, and supply chain issues. Burge aims to address these by educating the public and shifting perceptions. In 2023, she was a candidate on the Legalise Cannabis Party NSW's upper house ticket, advocating for more consistent legislation.
"Each state at the moment has different laws and regulations. In Canberra, cannabis is legal to grow and consume, which I think shows the inconsistency in the legislation," she said. She also pointed out issues with driving laws, noting that Australia's zero-tolerance policy for THC contrasts with other countries that have medical exemptions or impairment-based laws. "These countries generally focus on actual driving impairment rather than the mere presence of THC metabolites in your system," she explained.
Celebrating Lived Experiences: The 'More to Me' Campaign
In a related story, Holly Hart, a 90-year-old resident at Whiddon Largs, is being celebrated through Whiddon's "More to Me" campaign. Despite never learning to read or write, Hart ran the kitchen at Mudgee Hospital for over 30 years, memorising recipes and serving meals with care. The campaign aims to challenge ageism by highlighting the remarkable lives of older Australians, with Hart's story showcased around "Holly's Table" at a high tea event.
Whiddon CEO Chris Mamarelis emphasised the importance of recognising individuals beyond their age, stating that the campaign confronts stereotypes and celebrates the wisdom and contributions of older residents. Statistics show that ageism is a significant issue in Australia, with 90% of adults acknowledging its existence and 64% of older Australians reporting experiences of ageism in the past five years.
The Hemporium's success and initiatives like "More to Me" underscore a broader trend towards wellness, community, and re-evaluating societal perceptions, making Carrington a focal point for positive change in the region.
