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/

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)

What's Happening in September

Hoping to get outside or learn something new? It's never too late to check out your local farmers' market or get your hands into some dirt to learn gardening basics. Here are some of the cool events around the city next month!

Grandview-Woodlands Food Connection

Location: Britannia Community Centre (1991 Napier Street / Vancouver - map)
Cost: $20

Credit: Sofi Martinez

Check out these cool food workshops and events by the Grandview-Woodlands Food Connection!

For details on individual workshops or to register, visit their website: http://gwfoodconnection.wordpress.com/workshops/

Upcoming Workshops

September 7: Latin American Corn Festival
September 10: Canning

GardenSmart Workshops

Location: Various (check website)
Cost: $8.25

Learn how to grow your own food, support your local ecology, and reduce waste in your own backyard. GardenSmart Workshops are brought to you by the North Shorth Recycling Program, the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, and the Edible Garden Project.

Registration is required. To register or for more information, visit the workshop Eventbrite page here.

Upcoming Workshops
 
September 6: Shiitake Log Cultivation Workshop
September 7: Aquaponics for Your Home
September 21: Keeping Chickens in the City
September 25: Cooking From Your Garden

Homesteader's Emporium

Location: SBIA Resource Park (1279 East Hastings Street / Vancouver - map)
Cost: Starting from $5

Check out some of these workshops hosted by the Homesteader's Emporium! For times, details, and registration for individual workshops, visit their Workshops page: http://www.homesteadersemporium.ca/calendar/

Upcoming Workshops

September 25: Seed Saving

Richmond Food Security Society

Location: Garratt Wellness Centre (7504 Chelsea Place / Richmond - map)
Cost: $10

This spring and summer, the Richmond Food Security Society is presenting a series of cooking and gardening workshops.

For more information or to register, visit the Richmond Food Security Society website here.

Upcoming Workshops

September 20: Extending the Growing Season

Artisan Farmers' Markets

Lonsdale Quay
Location: Lonsdale Quay, East Plaza (123 Carrie Cates Court / North Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 3, 2014 to October 25, 2014
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 3, 2014 to October 25, 2014
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Ambleside Market
Location: West Vancouver Police Station, Parking Lot (14th Street and Bellevue Avenue / West Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 4, 2014 to October 26, 2014
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.

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

Vancouver Farmers' Markets

Trout Lake Market
Location: John Hendry Park, North Parking Lot (East 13th Avenue @ Lakewood and Templeton / Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 10, 2014 to October 18, 2014
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Kitsilano Market
Location: Kitsilano Community Centre, Parking Lot (2690 Larch Street / Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 11, 2014 to October 19, 2014
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm each Sunday

West End Market
Location: 1100 Block of Comox Street across from Nelson Park (Mole Hill / Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 31, 2014 to October 18, 2014
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Yaletown Market
Location: Mainland Street between Davie Street and Helmcken Street (Yaletown-Roundhouse / Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 1, 2014 to October 2, 2014
Hours: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm each Thursday 

Vendors include farmers, fishers, artisans, food preparers, and more! The markets this year will also feature a great list of events and activities, as well as the upcoming Fun With Food stations, getting people of all ages involved in food literacy education. Click here for more information on events at the markets.

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/

What's Happening in April

Spring is here, and so are new Burnaby Food First workshops! If nothing whets your appetite so far or if you're eager to learn more while waiting for our next workshop announcement, check out some of these cool workshops and events around the city.

Credit: Christina Mak

GardenSmart Workshops

Location: North Shore Neighbourhood House (225 East 2nd Street / North Vancouver - map)
Cost: $8.25

Learn how to grow your own food, support your local ecology, and reduce waste in your own backyard. GardenSmart Workshops are brought to you by the North Shorth Recycling Program, the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, and the Edible Garden Project.

Registration is required. To register or for more information, visit the workshop Evenbrite page here.

Upcoming Workshops

April 2: Small Space Gardening
April 5: Shiitake Log Cultivation
April 27: Supporting Your Soil Life

Homesteader's Emporium

Location: Homesteader's Emporium (649 East Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Cost: Starting from $7.50

Check out some of these workshops hosted by the Homesteader's Emporium! For times, details, and registration for individual workshops, visit their Workshops page: http://www.homesteadersemporium.ca/calendar/

Upcoming Workshops

April 3: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, and More!
April 8: Backyard Chickens 101
April 10: Introduction to Honeybee Keeping

World Food Day

Hi, Food First community! We wanted to let you know about two great events happening tomorrow for World Food Day.

World Food Day is a United Nations observed day that works to bring attention to the important role agriculture plays in our societies, as well as to the many people worldwide that go hungry every day.

Richmond Food Security Society: World Food Day

Free events include:

• Film screenings
• Rooftop garden tours
• Food samples prepared by Chef Ian Lai
• Kid’s activities, and more!

Location: Richmond Public Library (7700 Minoru Gate / Richmond, BC - map)

Source: Richmond Food Security Society

Grandview Woodland Food Connection: World Food Day

Who gets Sustenance?
A Community Forum on Dignified Access to Healthy Food for All People
Saturday, Oct 19, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier Street), Canuck Family Education Centre
Free Event. Food Provided

Info: (604) 718-5895

Source: Grandview-Woodlands Food Connection