Volunteer Sales Coordinator Needed!

Volunteer Sales Coordinator Wanted for The Apron Project

The Apron Project is celebrating its third birthday. The community has responded well to our hand made aprons. We continue to get more sewing volunteers who are infinitely creative with the endless amount of fabric that is available.

Cute children's aprons hand-made by a Burnaby Food First Apron Project Volunteer!

Where are the aprons sold?

Modern aprons sewn by
Burnaby Food First's Apron Project Volunteer

We are selling our aprons at:

• The Farmers Market, 
• Market Mondays at the Burnaby Village Museum
• and various other community events. 

We would like to find someone to coordinate the sales of the aprons. Our busiest time of the year is the summer.

The Volunteer Sales Manager need not attend the events. The main responsibility is to schedule volunteers and to coordinate the transportation of the aprons to and from the events.

The Volunteer Sales manager does not need to have a vehicle but does need to schedule volunteers who are willing to provide the transportation.

Other suggestions for sales ideas and venues would also be appreciated.

Support for the position of Volunteer Sales Coordinator will be provided by The Apron Project Volunteers.

For more information or to be our new Volunteer Sales Coordinator, email Leona! 

Sales of our aprons goes to support our cooking and gardening workshops and events, which helps to make sure that everyone has enough food to eat - food that is healthy, enjoyable and safe for us and the planet!


Check out all the great ways you can get involved. All are welcome, and we'd love to have you on board!

Call for Volunteers: Fraser Health and Sprouting Chefs!

Check out these volunteer opportunities coming up with Fraser Health Authority and Sprouting Chefs!

Fraser Health Authority

Don't know what it costs to eat healthy in your community? The Fraser Health Authority and the Dieticians in the Fraser Valley needs your help in finding out that information. You can help contribute to the 2015 Cost of Eating project.

To volunteer, you will need to:

1) Watch a webinar on how to collect this data, and
2) Choose which Health Regions to volunteer within. You can work in pairs or by yourself.

The information needs to be collected between Monday, May 25, 2015 to Friday June 5, 2015.

The total number of hours can vary depending on the number of stores you choose to visit. Recording of prices takes an average of 1.5 to 2.0 hours. Your efforts will help Fraser Health better understand how much it costs to eat across the various regions in BC.

For more information, visit the Cost of Eating project:
http://www.dietitians.ca/Secondary-Pages/Public/The-Cost-of-Eating-in-British-Columbia.aspx

Download the volunteer description (PDF).

Contact:
Elizabeth Thomas, Registered Dietician
Abbotsford Public Health Unit
Phone: (604) 864-3447
Email: elizabeth.thomas@fraserhealth.ca

Sprouting Chefs

Looking to help transform how kids look at food and the world they live in?

Sprouting Chefs is looking for volunteers (19 and older) with an interest in food security, gardening, and kids for the Forest Grove After School Garden Club!

Sprouting Chefs offers schools, community centres, daycares, preschools, and other groups in the Lower Mainland the opportunity to create sustainable school garden projects.

For more information, visit the Sprouting Chef website.

Contact:
Barb Koyanagi McMahon
Email: barb@sproutingchefs.com

Burnaby Empty Bowls and Get Rooted!

Burnaby Empty Bowls

Date: Thursday, April 23, from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Crystal Ballroom (6083 McKay Avenue / Burnaby - map)
Cost: $65.00

The Empty Bowls Project was launched in 1999 to raise awareness about the existence of hunger and poverty in Burnaby.

Every two years, the Project hosts a fundraising gala. Funds raised 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

The reception-style gala will include food prepared by local chefs, jazz music, and a silent auction, and each guest will also go home with a handcrafted ceramic bowl made by Lower Mainland potters.

For tickets, visit the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts website: https://tickets.shadboltcentre.com/
 
To find out more about Burnaby Empty Bowls, check out their website here.

Get Rooted! with Richmond Food Security Society

Call for Applications

Get Rooted! is a youth-driven summer leadership project aimed at providing youth with the knowledge, skills, and networks to build a just and sustainable food future.

If you are aged 17-25, a strong team player, and passionate about social and environmental change, you may be a great candidate for this project!

The project runs from May 23, 2015 to August 31, 2015.

Applications for Get Rooted! are due to the Richmond Food Security Society by Monday, May 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

2015 Get Rooted! FAQ (PDF)

2015 Get Rooted! Application Form (PDF)

Evening for Burnaby Food First Volunteers

Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 for an evening of

• Getting to know one another over tasty desserts (including gluten-free options)
• Learning more about Burnaby Food First's volunteer opportunities
• Making seedling pots for yourself as well as Burnaby Food First

New volunteers welcome!

Where: Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway / Burnaby - map)

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2015, 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm

To register, please email Joyce or call (604) 293-1748.

Get Ready to Garden!

The trees are in bloom and flowers are peeking their heads out! With spring around the corner, it's time to get ready to garden!

Sharing Backyards Burnaby

One of the biggest barriers to growing food in the city is access to land -- but many people with yards, lawns, and backyards have plenty of room to spare! Sharing Backyards links people with unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow food. If you have a garden and want to share it with someone, or if you are looking for a space to garden, Sharing Backyards is for you.

How do I register for the program?

Our Sharing Backyards program, in its second year, is now underway!

Head to our Sharing Backyards page for more details on the program and registration process. To register, send us an email to get started!

Get Started

Want to get an idea of how our program works? Check out our feature post (leaflet, PDF). We also have a number of available gardens that we're currently looking to connect gardeners with!

North Burnaby: Two yards (one gardener each)
Burnaby Heights: One yard (one gardener)
Cariboo Hill: One yard (one gardener)
Edmonds (Goodlad Garden): Two to three plots

If you're looking for space or want to offer space in other parts of Burnaby, give us a shout! 

Volunteer School Garden Mentors

Looking to share your gardening experience?

We are looking for School Garden Mentors for the Youth Connection Project (funded by VanCity), a partnership between Burnaby Food First and Green Your City.

Garden mentors will work hands-on with Burnaby high school students in their school gardens to help make the gardens a success.

Burnaby Food First is looking for volunteers who are experienced gardeners and enjoy working with youth. Time commitment is flexible. A criminal record check is required.

For more information or to apply to volunteer, send us an email.

Apron Project: Volunteers Needed

As many of you, our friends in food security, may know, Burnaby Food First volunteers have been sewing handmade aprons using donated fabric for the past couple of years.

These one-of-a-kind productions are being sold at the Burnaby Farmers' Market and at other local events around town. All of the monies raised from apron sales go right back into supporting our many food security activities, including workshops and events.

The project has really expanded recently, and we want to start selling aprons online here on our blog -- but to do that, we need pictures. Here is where you come in!

Volunteers Needed! Apron Project Photo Shoot

We need models -- no experience necessary -- to pose wearing our aprons, so that pictures can be taken for our online catalogue. Are you interested? We would love your help!

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please email us.

Apron Project: Volunteers Needed

As many of you, our friends in food security, may know, Burnaby Food First volunteers have been sewing handmade aprons using donated fabric for the past couple of years.

These one-of-a-kind productions are being sold at the Burnaby Farmers' Market and at other local events around town. All of the monies raised from apron sales go right back into supporting our many food security activities, including workshops and events.

The project has really expanded recently, and we want to start selling aprons online here on our blog -- but to do that, we need pictures. Here is where you come in!

Volunteers Needed! Apron Project Photo Shoot

We need models -- no experience necessary -- to pose wearing our aprons, so that pictures can be taken for our online catalogue. Are you interested? We would love your help!

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please email us.

What's New with Burnaby Food First

Spring has officially arrived, and we've been working on some really cool things! You may have noticed some changes to our blog over the last couple of months.

First off, thank you to Kristen Robb for donating her time and providing a new Food First logo. It went up over the holidays, and it looks amazing!

We are also delighted to tell you about some new Burnaby Food First projects and programs.

1) Sharing Backyards: Garden Sharing in Burnaby

Have a backyard that you'd like to garden, but don't have the time – or don't know how? Do you want to garden but don't have access to land?

Burnaby Food First is pleased to announce a new gardening program! We have partnered with Sharing Backyards to coordinate their chapter in the City of Burnaby. This program links people with unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow food. The program is 100% free, only costing the price of the gardening materials and supplies involved.

To find out more about the program or to register, please visit our Sharing Backyards page.

Interested in volunteering your time? We have positions open for Food Gardening Volunteers! Check out our position description on our Get Involved page for more information.

2) The Apron Project

Burnaby Food First started the Apron Project in 2013 (see post). The idea to make and sell aprons began with one Food First committee members, who thought we could find donated material and volunteers to make the aprons.

Money raised from the Apron Project is used to offer free community education workshops to the public and support other Burnaby Food First activities. When you buy one of our beautiful aprons, you help Burnaby Food First work towards food security in Burnaby.

You can buy an apron by sending us an email. We're also working on an online apron shop, so check back often for updates!

To learn more about the Project or how you can get involved, please visit our new Apron Project page here.

3) Gardening Education Portal

Want to start your own garden but don't know where to begin? Missed a past Food First gardening workshop and want to catch up?

Our Gardening Education Portal offers a growing number of printable information sheets, planting guides, and other gardening resources, as well as a way to connect with other gardeners.

To get growing, visit our sister blog dedicated to gardening and growing here.

4) Volunteer with Burnaby Food First

Burnaby Food First is excited to announce five new volunteer opportunities! Whether it's helping out with workshops and events or the chance to get your hands into some dirt, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

To check out our volunteer descriptions, please visit the Get Involved page.

5) Burnaby Food First Forum

Keen to chat with others about food security, gardening, or all other things Food First? Head over to our new Burnaby Food First forum.

The forum is open to the public, but member registration is required to post. Please make sure you read through our forum guidelines, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy before participating.

You can check out the Burnaby Food First forum here.

Next 'Sewing for Food Security' Meeting

Sewing volunteers for The Apron Project are invited to attend a meeting:

Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway - map) on Tuesday, January 21 starting at 7:00 pm.

See you there!

One of our Apron Volunteers hard at work!
Credit: Rebekah Mahaffey

Sewing for Food Security

New Sewing Volunteers for The Apron Project are invited to attend a meeting:

Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway - map) on Tuesday, October 8th starting at 7:00pm

One of our volunteers hard at work!
Credit: Cruz

All new sewers welcome. Bring your apron ideas!

For more information, email burnabyfoodfirst@gmail.com.

Volunteer Needed: Apron Production Manager

Dear Food First Community:

Do you like organizing? We need your help! Our apron fundraising project is moving along well, but we need some extra help with organizing, promoting, and developing the project! Help us sell our cute aprons! All the proceeds go right back to helping us promote Food Security in Burnaby.

Some adorable aprons from France's Sewing School!

The time commitment is 3 hours a week, and we'll make sure you are well recognized on our blog and in the community.

To volunteer, please email burnabyfoodfirst@gmail.com. We can't wait to meet you!

**Apron Production Manager position has been filled**

Interested in buying an apron? Prices are:

Children's Aprons are $10 to $15
Adult Aprons are $20 to $30. 

Just send us an email at burnabyfoodfirst@gmail.com and we'll get back to you!

Children's aprons are $10 to $15.  Adult aprons are $20 to $30. 

Feature: Urban Digs Farm in Burnaby

We're lucky in Burnaby to have active farms in the Big Bend area. One of the newest and most exciting in recent years is Urban Digs Farm, which operates using organic methods and principles. They have a 3-acre homestead farm in the Big Bend where they grow vegetables and raise pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and geese, among other activities. They offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes and have a small community garden.

Hard at work on Urban Digs Farm
Credit: Mario Bartel of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Urban Digs Farm is also building some great partnerships with local businesses. For example, the nearby PriceSmart Foods at Market Crossing is donating produce that is past its prime to Urban Digs, which they use to feed their pigs!

Other partnerships include providing free-range eggs and local produce to the Livia Lunch restaurant, which is just down the road in the Riverway business complex, and delivering Avalon Dairy products (an organic dairy producer whose bottling facility is located in Burnaby) with their CSA boxes.

For more details on how the Farm is partnering and working closely with local businesses, visit the great article in the Burnaby NewsLeader about the farm.

If you would like to get more involved, the Farm also accepts volunteers!

A happy volunteer hard at work on Urban Digs Farm
Source: Urban Digs Farm

Vancouver Fruit Tree Project

As summer kicks into gear, lots of different types of fruit are ripening and ready for harvest. If you have a backyard garden, this is a pretty awesome time -- fresh fruit from the comfort of your own home! -- but what happens if you just can't finish it all up before it goes bad?

Source: Vancouver Fruit Tree Project

For fruit tree owners involved with the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, volunteers drop by and harvest this extra backyard fruit, which is then redistributed to community groups. The owners arrange for a harvest time and how much fruit to leave with them and the Project supplies the volunteers, ladders, and picking equipment.

Beginning in July each year, the Project's priority is to connect fruit tree owners with volunteers who want to rescue the unpicked fruit.

The picked fruit goes to various community partners for use in their community activities, including food banks, daycares, community kitchens, and drop-in programs, and for direct distribution.

For more information, visit their website here.

If you're a fruit tree owner and want to arrange for a harvest time, visit https://vancouverfruittree.com/tree-owners/

If you're interested in exploring the many volunteer roles with Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, visit https://vancouverfruittree.com/volunteer/

City of Burnaby Environment Week and Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Mark your calendars! 

Environment Week 2013
Sunday, June 2 to Saturday, June 8

Burnaby’s annual week of environmentally-themed community activities. The main event, the Environment Festival, is on Saturday, June 8 at Burnaby City Hall in the outer courtyard.

http://www.burnaby.ca/environmentweek
http://www.burnaby.ca/environmentweek_poster

ESS ‘Plan-It’ Event
9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 8
Burnaby City Hall, in the outer courtyard

Help Burnaby create a plan for a greener future! The City of Burnaby wants to hear about priorities and ideas to protect and enhance the environment in Burnaby as input to the Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS).

• Learn about what the City does now
• Place landmarks on our giant Green Map of the City
• Take part in other fun events for kids, youth and adults
• ‘Plan-It’ is part of the Environment Festival
• Enjoy food, activities, music, exhibits, and prizes – fun for the whole family!

http://www.burnaby.ca/ess-input  

Call for ESS Community Engagement Volunteers

Submission deadline: May 29

Monday, June 3 to Sunday, June 30

The City of Burnaby is looking for individual volunteers to assist with Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) community engagement events taking place over the month of June 2013.

Check out this great opportunity to help make our City a greener place: www.burnaby.ca/ess-cev

So... Can You Sew?

So... can you sew? If so, we'd like your help!

Some adorable aprons from France's Sewing School!

Burnaby Food First is looking for volunteers to sew aprons. We are making adult and children's aprons to raise funds to continue our grassroots work in food security.

One of our volunteers hard at work!
Credit: Laura van Wensveen

Another volunteer hard at work!
Credit: Cruz

 All fabric and thread will be provided. This is a great way to make a contribution from the comfort of your own home.

Kid's apron all ready to go! Credit: Karen Winstanley	More cute kids' aprons Credit: Laura van Wensveen and Joan Blair
We just love these adorable kids' aprons! Credit: Karen Winstanley	Adult aprons -- the practical, stylish option! Credit: Leona Skovgaard

Sew easy! For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, please email burnabyfoodfirst@gmail.com.


Interested in buying an apron? Prices are:

Children's Aprons are $10 to $15
Adult Aprons are $20 to $30. 

Just send us an email at burnabyfoodfirst@gmail.com and we'll get back to you!

Fabric has been donated by: Amanda, Joan Blair, Chris Burges, Canadian Mattress Recycling, Georgina Kersey, Carla, Kathryn Bass, Linda, Mona, Lynne McClintick, Janis Nylund, Melinda Ho, and Our Social Fabric

Thread has been donated by: Adrienn Bokor, Gamepoint Sportswear Ltd., Haruna Sales, Dave and Jean Price

Sewing Volunteers (so far!): Afghan Women's Sewing Circle, Cruz, Carol De Villiers, Fawn, France's Sewing School, Anastasia Frank, Antonietta Gabriele, Marion Hartley, Eva Ho, Suk Ching Ho-Chung, Maureen Hopper, Rosey Luc, Lorena Mar, Geri Mitchell, Leah Mosoff, Susannah Showick, Laura Van Wensveen, Karen Winstanley, Gloria Wong.

 

 

Feature: Growing Chefs!

Founded in 2005, the non-profit Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children's Urban Agriculture program pairs volunteer chefs with elementary school classrooms, and with the help of chefs, students learn how to plant, grow, and cook their own vegetables. Just this year, over 2 dozen elementary schools from Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, West Vancouver, and Richmond participated in the program.

Each year, elementary schools sign up for the Classroom Gardening Program, which starts every year after spring break and extends from March through June. The program is available for Grades 1 through 3.

Credit: Growing Chefs!

Wait a second: urban agriculture? Cue the looks of interest. How exactly does that work?

Urban agriculture is often used to refer to the restructuring of urban spaces to incorporate food production operations into areas that are densely populated -- in short, growing food in the city. This could mean anything from keeping chickens in your backyard, tending a small garden on your apartment balcony, or growing herbs in a pot on your windowsill.

The Growing Chefs! program tackles themes of food sustainability by attempting to get children involved, in the steps from gardening and grocery shopping to meal planning and preparation.

The mission of the non-profit society is to support and encourage the development and growth of urban agriculture and to provide an avenue for chefs and food growers to engage in the community and to support food sustainability.

For more information on Growing Chefs!, visit their website: http://www.growingchefs.ca/

For teachers and schools and to sign up: http://www.growingchefs.ca/teachers-program-info

For chefs interested in signing up to volunteer: http://www.growingchefs.ca/volunteer-program-info

Call for Volunteers: BC Seeds Gathering 2012

The BC Seeds Gathering is a one-of-a-kind event bringing together seed growers and producers from across the province to share stories, experiences, wisdom, and knowledge.

BC Seeds Gathering 2012
When: November 9 to 11, 2012
Where: Kwantlen Polytechnic University (8771 Lansdowne Road / Richmond - map)

BC Seeds Gathering is seeking volunteer videographers to record keynote speeches, panel and roundtable discussions, and other activities at the gathering in order to make this content available to those unable to attend and to the general public.

Volunteers should be experienced videographers with access to gear to record sessions and activities over the three days.

In exchange for their time, volunteers will be provided free admission to all events, meals and snacks during the gathering, and honoraria to key volunteers.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Tallulah of FarmFolk CityFolk at (604) 730-0450 or send an email.

To download the full volunteer posting in PDF format, please click here. Note that Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader is required to view the document.

For more information about the gathering, please visit the event website: http://www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca/events/bcseeds2012/