When Vancouver-raised musician Julia Spitale set out on a tour with fellow musician Shera Kelly and documentary film-maker Jessica Gates last June to perform music, cook, and interview farmers, there was every intention to return home after the tour. The three women, who not only visited typical venues such as bars and cafés but also less conventional venues like farms and homes, found a community of farmers eager to share their stories and experiences -- and their original plan to document sustainable farms and local food practices across Canada blossomed into the Wheely Slow Cooking Tour.
At each of their stops, they asked for a favourite recipe and cooked together with their guests. Soon, they were receiving invites to homes and farms all across Canada and even turning down offers due to their busy schedule. In total, they visited over 30 communities from Salt Spring to Halifax in less than two months!
Now back in Vancouver, the women are eager to share what they learned and have posted webisodes of the journey on their website. Drop by and watch their interviews with farmers, see the recipes they collected, and learn how the tour unfolded.
To top off the currently scheduled 2012 dates, the Wheely Slow Cooking Tour will be appearing at the Sustenance Festival on October 18, 2012, at the Roundhouse Community Centre.
Wheely Slow Cooking Tour
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews / Vancouver - map)
Date: October 18, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Join the Vancouver Food Policy Council and members of the Park Board Local Assets Task Force for an evening of discussion, music, interactive displays, and food. Contribute your ideas about what's happening in your neighbourhood, offer suggestions, or visit the Demonstration Food Friendly Neighbourhood, curated by Village Vancouver.
Wheely Slow Cooking Tour will be providing the entertainment and music for the evening.
For more information on the Wheely Slow Cooking Tour and to read about their recent tour, visit their website: http://www.wheelyslowcookingtour.com. Details on their appearance at the Sustenance Festival can be found at http://www.sustenancefestival.ca.
Autumn may have started, but October isn't just about crunchy leaves on the sidewalks, gloomy clouds, and Hallowe'en. Whether you're eager to enjoy the continuing trend of sunshine and mid-20 degree temperatures or prefer the comfort of a cup of tea and some reading, there's sure to (hopefully) be something that appeals.
Burnaby Farmers' Market
Location: North Parking Lot at Burnaby City Hall, Canada Way and Deer Lake Parkway (map)
Dates: May 5, 2012 to October 27, 2012
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday
Continuing through to the end of this month is the Burnaby Farmers' Market at Burnaby City Hall. The market runs every Saturday and features various events, a family day celebration, and monthly cooking competitions.
The market offers locally-grown, conventional and organic produce, jam, jelly, vinegar, salsa, sauces, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, tea, eggs, and meat products. Also for sale is pottery, woodwork, jewelery, and soap made by local artisans.
Help keep the Market 'green' by considering biking or taking transit and bringing your own shopping bags!
For winning recipes, as well as more information about the Market, visit the Artisan Markets website: www.artisanmarkets.ca
Sustenance Festival
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews / Vancouver - map)
Dates: October 11 to October 21, 2012
Hours: Weekdays, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; weekends, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Drop by for an exciting lineup of events, the standing exhibition, or any number of the workshops being held at the Roundhouse Exhibition Hall. Workshops include Weed Eating, Queen of Green Household Cleaners, or Sustenance for Well Being and are either free or up to $40, depending on the topic.
Also happening are other events such as film screenings, gardening information sessions, and harvest fairs and festivals at locations around the city.
For information on the events, to register, or for more on the Festival, please visit the official website: http://www.sustenancefestival.ca/
Food Security Information for Action
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
Need something to do on a rainy afternoon? Curious about food security and related issues?
Offered in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Learning Centre features a number of self-paced e-learning courses on a wide range of food security related topics. Interested people can start anytime and learn at their own levels of comfort.
All courses are available in English, and some have been translated into French and Spanish.
Registration is required but free of charge. Course materials are available online and for download. Free CD versions of the materials can also be requested.
For more information and to register, visit the course website: http://www.foodsec.org/
