What's Happening in April

Rain or shine, it doesn't matter, because there are a number of cool indoor and outdoor events this month! Whether it's a warm, sunny day or you're looking towards summer, there are a number of workshops and other activities to do throughout the city.

Vancouver Winter Farmers' Market

Location: Nat Bailey Stadium, East Parking Lot (4601 Ontario Street / Vancouver - map)
Dates: November 3, 2012 to April 27, 2013 (Closed December 29)
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Thought the start of winter meant the end of locally grown and made goodies?

Continuing from last month, the winter market hosts over 60 vendors -- nearly as many as the three main Vancouver summer markets combined! -- offers a range of foods, from local produce to homemade chocolate and maple treats.

In an effort to reduce plastic use at the market, please bring your own shopping bags.

For more information on the market, including transportation and parking at the site, please visit their website: http://www.eatlocal.org/

Veggies 101: Planning Your First Vegetable Garden

Location: Mollie Nye House (940 Lynn Valley Road / North Vancouver - map)
Date: April 3, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: $8.25

Location: Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre (3663 Park Road / North Vancouver - map)
Date: April 14, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Cost: $8.25

Are you starting to grow your own food or interested in what you can do from your backyard?

Part of the GardenSmart Workshop Series, presented by the North Shore Recycling Program in conjunction with the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and North Shore Edible Garden Project, join others to learn how to plan your first vegetable garden.

Space is limited. For details on registration, visit the workshop page here.

Fresh Milk, Food Politics

Location: Ukrainian Cathedral (154 East 10th Avenue / Vancouver - map)
Date: April 6, 2013 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 to $125

The Fresh Milk, Food Politics event (formerly the Raw Milk Symposium) explores the basic right to healthy food

Officials in the U.S. and Canada maintain that fresh milk is a health hazard, and several provinces ban its sale or purchase; however, there are many dairy experts who argue that, as long as it is produced from grass-fed cows at farms with safe handling practices, the health benefits of fresh milk significantly outweigh those of pasteurized milk.

Whether you are a fresh milk advocate or just want to learn more about the issue, this event is an excellent opportunity to speak directly with dairy farmers.

For more information or to register, visit the event website here.

Seed Swap and Sale

Location: Renfrew Park Community Centre (2929 East 22nd Avenue / Vancouver - map)
Date: April 6, 2013
Hours: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Location: Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street / Vancouver - map)
Date: April 20, 2013
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Drop by the community centre to stock up on seeds for your garden, as well as swap with others or to try your hand at growing something new.

For more information or to register, visit the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute website: http://rcfsi.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-schedule.html

Seed Starting: Sowing for Your Summer Veggie Garden

Location: Loutet Farm (Rufus Avenue & 14th Street East / North Vancouver - map)
Date: April 6, 2013 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Cost: $8.25

Join Gavin Wright of Loutet Farm to learn about the process of growing your own plants from seed.

Note that this is an outdoor workshop, so make sure to dress appropriately.

This workshop is part of the GardenSmart Workshop Series, presented by the North Shore Recycling Program in conjunction with the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and North Shore Edible Garden Project.

Space is limited. For details on registration, visit the workshop page here.

Grow Your Own: Intermediate Vegetable Gardening

Location: Mollie Nye House (940 Lynn Valley Road / North Vancouver - map)
Time: April 10, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: $8.25

Already know the basics of vegetable gardening at home but looking for further tips and strategies? Check out this workshop and learn more about growing fresh, delicious vegetables in your own home garden.

This workshop is part of the GardenSmart Workshop Series, presented by the North Shore Recycling Program in conjunction with the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and North Shore Edible Garden Project.

Space is limited. For details on registration, visit the workshop page here.

Seed Starting Workshop

Location: Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: April 10, 2013 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: Call to inquire

Join others to learn about growing from seed and how to get your plants to flourish each time.

For more information or to register, visit the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute website: http://rcfsi.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-schedule.html

Growing Food in Small Spaces

Location: YWCA (535 Hornby Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: April 18, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $30

Join Carole Christopher and Dr. Tara Moreau to learn how to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in containers. Participants will learn about container design, companion planting, choosing appropriate varieties for container gardening, and creating a fertile soil mix for optimal yield.

For more information or to register, visit the workshop page here.

Burnaby Empty Bowls Gala Fundraiser

Location: Hilton Metrotown (6083 McKay Avenue / Burnaby - map)
Time: April 18, 2013 from 5:30 pm
Cost: $65

Every two years, the Empty Bowls Project hosts a fundraising gala, with support from local artists, teachers, community organizations, restaurants, businesses, and individuals. Funds raised from the gala go to support local programs for children, youth, and families in Burnaby that provide nutritious food and help to build skills that encourage healthy lifestyles. These include cooking programs, breakfast and homework clubs, an organic produce program for low-income pregnant women, and weekly cooking and daily snack programs.

Find out more about the event here or check out their website.

Philosophers' Cafe: Urban Agriculture

Location: West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall East (1950 Marine Drive / West Vancouver - map)
Time: April 19, 2013 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE

As Earth Day rolls around, Ross Moster of Village Vancouver and moderator Randall Mackinnon are getting together to lead a public discussion on the possibilities for urban agriculture and the potential effects for the future.

For more information, check out the event website here.

Food and Childhood Allergies and Asthma

Location: Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: April 25, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: $15

In toddlers and children, allergies take many different forms such as sneezing, runny nose, asthma, hives, stomach aches, sleep problems, and behaviour problems.

Come learn the underlying process and root causes of allergies, how they are related to food, and what you can do to protect your children. Gain the knowledge and tools to identify and avoid suspect foods, and choose healthy options.

For more information or to register, visit their website: http://gwfoodconnection.wordpress.com/workshops/

Food Safe Level 1

Location: Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier Street / Vancouver - map)

Time: April 27, 2013 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost: $30 to $40 (sliding scale)

Food Safe Level 1 is an 8-hour food handling, sanitation and work safety course designed for front line food service workers such as cooks, servers, bussers, dishwashers, and deli workers.

The course covers important information including foodborne illness, receiving and storing food, preparing food, serving food, cleaning and sanitizing. It is also useful for the everyday home cooking practices of individuals and families.

Course fees include the workbook, certificate upon successful completion, and refreshments.

For more information or to register, call (604) 718-5895.

You can also visit their website: http://gwfoodconnection.wordpress.com/workshops/

Tree Guilds and Spring Planting Workshop

Location: Norquay Learning Orchard (2732 Horley Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: April 27, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost: Call to inquire

Rounding out the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute 2013 Winter/Spring Workshop series is one on trees and spring planting.

For more information or to register, visit the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute website: http://rcfsi.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-schedule.html

Seed Starting

Location: YWCA (535 Hornby Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: April 30, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: $26

Join horticulturist and community educator Lis Thomas to learn about the best ways to start your indoor or outdoor garden from seed. Students will learn the necessary factors for healthy seedling development and practice methods for propagation.

All students will also take home a plant in a pot.

For more information or to register, visit the workshop page here.