What's Happening in May

Lots of programs and workshops are happening around the Lower Mainland. Check out some of these events!

Artisan Farmers' Markets

It's spring -- time to eat your greens!
Photo Credit: Leanne Zmud

Lonsdale Quay
Location: Lonsdale Quay, East Plaza (123 Carrie Cates Court / North Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 2, 2015 to October 24, 2015
Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm each Saturday

Burnaby Market
Location: Burnaby City Hall, North Parking Lot (4949 Canada Way / Burnaby - map)
Dates: May 2, 2015 to October 24, 2015
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Ambleside Market
Location: 1500 Block Bellevue (15th Street and Bellevue Avenue / West Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 3, 2015 to October 25, 2015
Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm each Sunday

Find a great selection of conventional and organic foods, from fresh produce to prepared food and handmade products. There's everything from jam, honey, and salsa to berries and greens!

The markets also host a book exchange, reading area, and activities table and live music.

In an effort to reduce plastic use, please bring your own plastic or reusable shopping bags.

Burnaby Food First - Apron Project

If you've been looking to get your hands on one of our fundraiser aprons, come visit the Burnaby Food First booth at the Burnaby location on May 2! Come meet some Food First members and say "Hello" to Emily, our new Events Coordinator!

For more information on these markets, including monthly market events, visit the Artisan Farmers' Markets website: http://www.artisanmarkets.ca/

The Flour Peddler

Location: Burnaby Public Library, Metrotown Branch (6100 Willingdon Avenue / Burnaby - map)
Date: Monday, May 25, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

In 2008, a small-scale flour miller from Sunshine Coast created a handmande bike mill. From the rainforests of Roberts Creek, BC to the bustling streets of Kampala, Uganda, and finally onwards to the village of Panlang in South of Sudan, the Flour Peddler is the story of two community-minded entrepreneurs as they set out to build and deliver their bicycle-powered grain mill to a rural women's cooperative in a tiny village.

This Chris & Josh Hergesheimer presentation and siledeshow will explore the trends and issues of local food systems as well as the challenges and power of alternative food movements.

Event is FREE, but registration is required. Please phone (604) 940-8967 or register online.

For more information, visit the event page here.

Hands-On Cook Off Contest

Deadline: May 15, 2015

This video contest, brought to you by Fraser Health, is about bringing together food and fun in the kitchen. Two generations or two youth come together to demonstrate how to prepare a recipe. You can win some great prizes!

So, choose a recipe, grab your family, film your three-minute video, and upload it! Contest and submission information can be found here: http://www.bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/.

Richmond Community Seed Library

Location: Richmond Public Library, Brighouse (Main) Branch (7700 Minoru Gate / Richmond - map)
Dates: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 and Saturday, May 30, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

The Richmond Community Seed Library will be available at the Brighouse Branch of the Richmond Public Library. Drop by, join the seed library, and start growing!

For more information, visit the Seed Library page here. 

Wild Salmon Caravan

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby Street / Vancouver - map)
Time: 10:30 am

Traveling from Prince George/William Lake (on Sunday, May 10) to Vancouver (on Thursday, May 14), the BC Food System Network hopes everyone will join the caravan to celebrate the strength and resiliency of wild salmon.

There are different ways to get involved!
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/683957878397505/
YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIlXaCpilr0

Richmond Food Security Society Annual General Meeting

Location: Terra Nova Red Barn (2631 Westminster Highway / Richmond - map)
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Join new Executive Director, Anita Georgy, of Richmond Food Security Society for their Annual General Meeting! Find out more about the work they have done in the past year and what work is planned for the future.

For more information, visit the meeting page here.

All Things Vegetarian and Vegan at Veg Expo 2015 - May 31st 


Find out about new and tasty plant-based products to try at the largest Vegetarian and Vegan event in Vancouver!
 
Location: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver - map
Date: Sunday May 31, 2015
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Visit website at:  http://www.vegexpo.ca/

Up, Up, and Away!

Burnaby Nature House presents Nature that Floats, Flies, and Soars

Burnaby Food First wanted to let you know about a great family program coming soon at a
Burnaby library near you!

Join 'Up, Up, and Away!' to discover fun and interesting animal facts followed by an activity or craft! This program features a guest speaker from Metro Vancouver's Burnaby Lake Nature House.

This is a free, drop-in program for children ages 5 - 12. Parents are advised to accompany children aged 10 and under.

Wednesday, August 14th / 2:00 - 3:30pm
Tommy Douglas Library

Thursday, August 15th / 1:00 - 2:30pm
McGill Branch Library

He's looking forward to meeting you!
Source: Burnaby Public Library

Thank you to Metro Vancouver's Burnaby Nature House for providing the guest speaker. VisitMetro Vancouver Regional Parks' Facebook pagefor more information about Burnaby Nature House.

Upcoming Food First Workshops: Bee-Keeping and Pickling

Burnaby Food First is pleased to present two more FREE community workshops!

Introduction to Bee-Keeping

Tuesday, May 28
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway / Burnaby - map)

Source: Josh Gitalis

Under certain conditions, the City of Burnaby allows residents to keep bees. Come and learn how to start your own hive and how to plant your garden for pollinators. The workshop is led by Janice Bobic, a Burnaby community member and bee-keeping expert -- and also includes a honey tasting!

This workshop will be demonstration-style and is offered in partnership with the Burnaby Public Library.

**REGISTRATION CLOSED**

Janice Bobic is a Burnaby bee expert who also owns and operates My Father's Garden, a Burnaby-based small business focusing on local artisan food production.

Secrets of Pickling

Wednesday, May 29
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newcomers Centre (7009 Kingsway / Burnaby - map)

Source: Serious Eats

Join master chef Andrea Potter and learn how to make your own pickled foods using fermentation. Take home samples! We will be fermenting fresh local radishes from Urban Digs Farm in Burnaby.

This workshop will be hands-on and is funded by VanCity. 

**REGISTRATION CLOSED**

Andrea Potter is a Red Seal Chef and a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She teaches whole-foods cooking classes and also offers nutrition counselling. She is passionate about the benefits of whole, local and slow foods. For more information on Andrea Potter, visit her website: http://wholefoodscooking.ca/.

What's Happening in March

The weather is starting to perk up just in time to check out the winter farmers' market before it closes for the season at the end of next month, but fear not if temperatures are less than ideal There is also a collection of interesting talks, classes, and workshops this month, from gardening (just in time for spring!) to recycling and waste reduction.

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/

Philosophers' Café: Is Natural or Organic Always the Best Option?

Location: Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch (4595 Albert Street / Burnaby - map)
Date: March 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Cost: FREE

Many of us are choosing products that are produced without the aid of chemical pesticides or chemicals derived from natural sources, yet some of the most toxic materials are natural products released by plants, bacteria, algae, and other organisms. Does this mean that some products are better produced artificially?

This event is co-sponsored by Burnaby Public Library.

Philosophers’ Café is a series of informal public discussions in libraries, cafés, and restaurants throughout Metro Vancouver. The cafés, which are open to everyone, have brought dialogue and discussion to thousands of people who are interested in exploring issues from the absurd to the sublime.

For more information about this public discussion, visit the event website.

You can find out more about the Philosophers’ Café here.

Balcony and Container Gardening

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 12, 2013, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $35

Always wanted to grow food but don't have enough space in your apartment? Join Grant Watson to learn about techniques and challenges specific to gardening indoors and in containers on balconies. The course will also cover soil, fertilizing organically, watering, types of containers, different sun orientations, and plants optimal for container growing.

For more information or to register, visit the Hastings Community Centre website: https://pbregister.vancouver.ca/

Trash Talk in the Heights

Location: Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch (4595 Albert Street / Burnaby - map)
Date: March 13, 2013, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: FREE

Burnaby Heights Neighbourhood Association and Burnaby Public Library present a talk on waste reduction in the community. Join Tracey Tobin, the environmental services officer with the City of Burnaby, to learn more about the city's recycling and waste reduction programs.

For more information, check out the event website.

Registration is required. Space is limited! To register, call (604) 299-8955 or visit the library in person.

Garden Planning Workshop

Location: Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 13, 2013, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: Call to inquire

With spring inching closer, if you've ever thought about starting a garden or want to learn how to better plan yours, check out this garden planning workshop!

The Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute has a new line-up of workshops for winter and spring. For more information, visit their website: http://rcfsi.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-schedule.html

Registration is required. Space is limited! To register, send an email or call (604) 435-0323, or visit their website for more information.

One week's notice is required for child-minding and translation services.

Rooftop Garden Weeding and Planting Workshop

Location: Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 20, 2013, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: Call to inquire

Join other like-minded people on the rooftop garden at Collinwood Neighbourhood House for an evening on weeding and planting.

The Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute has a new line-up of workshops for winter and spring. For more information, visit their website: http://rcfsi.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-schedule.html

Registration is required. Space is limited! To register, send an email or call (604) 435-0323, or visit their website for more information.

One week's notice is required for child-minding and translation services.

FREE Workshop: Apartment Food Gardening for Beginners

Burnaby Food First is pleased to present another FREE workshop in partnership with the Burnaby Public Library. 

Apartment Food Gardening for Beginners

Tuesday, May 1

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway - map)

Led by Grant Watson of Grant's Gourmet Gardens (http://www.gourmetgardens.ca/).

Registration is limited to 28 people as part of the workshop is participatory. Please register in person at the Tommy Douglas Library or by phone at (604) 297-4821.

**REGISTRATION CLOSED**

*15 free child-minding spots (3 - 8 years) are also available, offered by South Burnaby Neighbourhood House. Please register early as these spots will go quickly. 

What's Happening in January

Looking for something to pass the cloudy days or itching to learn something in the new year? We've collected a selection of events, classes, and workshops occurring month in Vancouver and Burnaby, so be sure to check them out!

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/

Fusion Kitchen Winter Classes

Location: Save On Meats (43 West Hastings Street / Vancouver - map)
Dates: January 11, 2013 to February 7, 2013 (see website for class times)
Cost: From $45 to $70 per person (plus processing fees)

Fusion Kitchen returned last month with a series of three classes, covering Hungarian, Romanian, and Pakistani dishes, all taught by recent immigrant women. Join them and discover a range of delicious sweet and savoury dishes.

For more information or to register, please visit the Eventbrite page: http://fusionkitchendecember.eventbrite.ca/

Yoghurt and Yoghurt Cheese

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Date: January 15, 2013, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $8

Part of the Seasons of Food workshop series, instructor Ninna Snider will take you through the process of making yoghurt and yoghurt cheese in the comfort of your own home. It might seem overwhelming at first, but with a little practice, you could be making it at home on a regular basis.

For more information or to register, visit the Hastings Community Centre website: https://pbregister.vancouver.ca/

Note that child- and infant-minding are also available for this one-day class. Register early, because spots are limited.

Family Cooking

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Date: January 21, 2013, from 3:15 pm to 6:15 pm
Cost: $30

Join others in the kitchen for an afternoon to prepare your evening meal with other members of our community -- and go home with supper for up to six people! This workshop is part of the Seasons of Food series.

Sessions also take place on February 18, 2013 and March 11, 2013.

For more information or to register, visit the Hastings Community Centre website: https://pbregister.vancouver.ca/

Note that child- and infant-minding are also available for this one-day class. Register early, because spots are limited.

Apple Sauce

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Date: January 22, 2013, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $8

Join instructor Melody Kurt for a morning of canning, and take home a jar or two of delicious apple sauce to share with your family. Participants will learn new skills on how to grow, prepare and preserve healthy food.

For more information or to register, visit the Hastings Community Centre website: https://pbregister.vancouver.ca/

Note that child- and infant-minding are also available for this one-day class. Register early, because spots are limited.

Botany for Gardeners

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Date: January 22, 2013, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $35

Understanding the fascinating mechanisms of plant growth, reproduction and genetics will make you a better gardener. This course, taught by Grant Watson of Grant's Gourmet Gardens, emphasizes the behaviour of food producing plants. It is a recommended prerequisite for "Seed Saving and Basic Plant Breeding".

For more information or to register, visit the Hastings Community Centre website: https://pbregister.vancouver.ca/

The Book of Kale

Location: Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch (4595 Albert Street / Burnaby - map)
Date: January 24, 2013, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: Free

Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense greens out there, but many people don't know just how delicious it can be. Sharon Hannon, author of The Book of Kale, will be at McGill to talk about her book, answer questions, and sign copies of the book.

Books will be available for purchase at the event for $25.

The event is free, but space is limited. To register, visit the event website and click "Sign up for The Book of Kale" or call (604) 299-8955.

For more information, visit http://bpl.bc.ca/events/the-book-of-kale

Force of Nature

Location: Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch (4595 Albert Street / Burnaby - map)
Date: January 31, 2013, from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Cost: Free

Force of Nature is a documentary detailing David Suzuki's life, thoughts, and legacy, delivered in the style of "a last lecture", and touches on our relationships with the natural world and offers a message for sustainability and survival.

The event is free, but space is limited. To register, visit the event website and click "Sign up for Force of Nature" or call (604) 299-8955.