What's Happening in March

It's still chilly out, but the trees are in bloom, so grab your coat and boots, and check out some of these events around town!

Knife Skills Workshop

Location: Greater Vancouver Food Bank (1150 Raymur Avenue / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 6, 2015 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: $45.00 (PDF)

This one-day workshop will describe the different types of knives as well as care and maintenance techniques. The instructors will demonstrate different methods on cutting various food products, including fish, meats, and poultry. Discussion on ways to reduce food waste during food preparation is an integral part of this workshop. A full, delicious, healthy lunch will be prepared and shared by the participants!

For more information or to register, please email Lisa Bouwmeester or call (604) 216-3073.

SFU Food Education Days

Location: Simon Fraser University (8888 University Drive / Burnaby - map)
Date: From March 11-13, 2015
Cost: FREE

Food Education Days, organized by Sustainable SFU, seeks to engage students to learn more about issues of food access and security, food waste, local food production, community gardening and composting, and more. The event includes a movie screening, market, and information sessions.

Burnaby Food First will also be in attendance at the market on March 12, 2015.

Sustainable SFU is a student society that aims to make our campuses and communities more sustainable through student leadership, advocacy and educational events around food, waste, transit and climate.

For more information about Food Education Days, visit the event website.

Plant This Movie Screening

Location: Kerrisdale Community Centre (5851 West Boulevard / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 20, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cost: FREE (all ages)

“Plant This Movie” explores urban farming around the world, from the incredible story of Havana, Cuba to communities of urban farmers in cities as diverse as Shanghai, Calcutta, Addis Ababa, London, and Lima. In the US, the story focuses on communities in New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Portland. The film is narrated by Daryl Hannah.

The filmmaker Karney Hatch from Portland, OR will be present for Q&A. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit the event page here.

Just Film Festival

Location: Langara College (100 West 49th Avenue / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 20 to March 22, 2015
Cost: From $10 to $35 (Discounts available for CoDev members, students, seniors, and low-income individuals)

Source: Just Film Festival

The Just Film Festival (formerly, the World Community Film Festival), hosted by CoDevelopment Canada, returns for another year with a collection of over 20 social justice and environmental documentaries -- covering issues from food and farming to sustainability and globalization.

For more information about the festival and this year's films or to buy advance tickets, visit their website.

Vancouver Winter Farmers' Market

Location: Nat Bailey Stadium, East Parking Lot (4601 Ontario Street / Vancouver - map)
Dates: November 1, 2014 to April 25, 2015
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Vendors include farmers, fishers, artisans, food preparers, and more! Also find a selection of food trucks and hot drink vendors. Bring your food scraps from home to recycle at the Food Scraps Drop Spot.

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/

3rd Annual East Side Beer Fest

Location: Wise Hall (1882 Adanac Street / Vancouver - map)
Date: March 11, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $24.99, plus non-perishable donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank

The Liberty Merchant Company proudly presents the 3rd Annual East Side Beer Fest tasting event!

The event will feature craft beers from all over the world as well samples from food purveyors on Commercial Drive. Some of participants lined up for this year’s event include 33 Acres Brewing Co., Parallel 49 Brewing Co., Dageraad Beer, Four Winds Brewing Company and Driftwood Beer from Victoria as well as Copper & Theory supplier of artisans beers and Untapped BC which imports craft beer & cider into BC.

Tickets are available at all Liberty Wine Merchant locations. For more information on the event, visit the website here.

Homesteader's Emporium

Location: Various (check website)
Cost: Starting from $20

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

March 14: Introduction to Permaculture
March 14: Spring Mason Bee Keeping
March 28-30: The Bee School (weekend workshop)

Seasons of Food Workshops

Location: Hastings Community Centre (3096 East Hastings Street / Vancouver - map)
Cost: $15.00

Upcoming Workshops

March 4: Introduction to Water Bath Canning
March 7: Kids in the Kitchen
March 13: Indian Cuisine
March 19: Japanese Cuisine

For more information or to register, please email Seasons of Food.

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
 
March 7: Backyard Seed Saving (FREE)
March 8: Fruit Tree Pruning
March 14: Seed Starting
March 21: Supporting Native Bees
March 22: Your First Vegetable Garden

Feature: 4th Annual Vancouver Urban Farming Forum

Join urban farmers, community food enthusiasts, policy-makers, and others for a forum centred around the theme of urban farming practices.

Attendance is free and includes lunch, coffee, and snacks.

Source: Eventbrite - Vancouver Urban Farm Forum

Registration is required. Space is limited, and spots go quickly! November 11 is the last day to register.

Also check out the Boogie and Barter Fundraiser Party the night before. Proceeds go to the Vancouver Urban Farming Society.

Boogie and Barter Fundraiser Party

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013
Location: The HiVE (210-128 West Hastings / Vancouver - map)
Cost: FREE (or $5 cover at the door without ticket)

4th Annual Vancouver Urban Farming Forum

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2013
Location: SFU Harbour Centre, Segal Centre (555 West Hastings Street / Vancouver - map)
Cost: FREE

For more information on the Forum and Fundraiser and updates on the forum program, check out the Eventbrite website: http://urbanfarmingforum2013.eventbrite.ca/

What's Happening in September

As fall kicks in and we send our school-aged children back to learn, the weather may be cooling down, but there are still interesting events around the city to check out!

Philosophers' Cafe: The GMO Issue

Location: False Creek Community Centre, Lounge (1318 Cartwright Street / Vancouver - map)
Date: September 11, 2013 from 7:00 pm
Cost: FREE

Genetically modified organisms have been around awhile now, but general concern about their impact on food crops as well as human and animal health peaked recently when genetically modified wheat that Monsanto developed and destroyed in the 1990s reappeared on a farmer’s field in the United States.

Join Luis Sojo, an adjunct professor in SFU's Department of Chemistry, for a discussion on the public understanding of GMOs, their origins, the science behind them, and the policies that may or may not control their use.

For more information on the event, visit their website: http://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/events/2013/09/the-gmo-issue.html

11th Annual FarmAde

Location: UBC Farm (3461 Ross Drive / Vancouver - map)
Date: September 13, 2013 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: FREE

FarmAde brings together UBC community members of all ages to celebrate community, local food and local Vancouver talent. The event also connects organizations and movements in support of sustainability, local food, and raise awareness about food security issues.

For more information, visit the event website: http://ubcfarm.ubc.ca/get-involved/events/the-11th-annual-farmade/

UBC Markets

Wednesday Campus Market
Location: IK Barber Learning Centre (East Mall and Agricultural Road / Vancouver - map)
Dates: July 3, 2013 to October 16, 2013
Hours: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm every Wednesday

The UBC Farm Wednesday Campus Market features an assortment of fresh UBC Farm produce. This mid-week market in front of the IK Barber Library offers students, staff, and faculty members a convenient opportunity to purchase UBC Farm produce.

The Wednesday market only accepts cash, and customers are asked to bring their own bags.

For more information, visit the UBC Campus Market website here.

UBC Farm Public Market
Location: UBC Farm (3461 Ross Drive / Vancouver - map)
Dates: September 7, 2013 to November 9, 2013
Hours: Every Saturday from 9:00 am

The UBC Farm opens up every Saturday to share its amazing variety of food grown right on the UBC campus!

In addition to over 250 varieties of fresh, organically grown produce, drop by for live musicians, craftspeople, hot prepared food, bakers, and other young farm vendors.

Free public tours are also held at 11:00 am.

For more information, visit the UBC Farm Saturday Public Market website here.

Vancouver Farmers' Markets

West End Farmers' Market
Location: 1100 Block of Comox Street at Mole Hill (map)
Dates: June 1, 2013 to October 19, 2013
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Main Street Station Market
Location: 1100 Block Station Street along Thornton Park, Main Street Skytrain Station (map)
Dates: June 5, 2013 to October 2, 2013
Hours: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm each Wednesday

Kerrisdale Village Farmers' Market
Location: East Boulevard between 37th and 41st Avenue, near Kerrisdale Arena (map)
Dates: June 15, 2013 to October 12, 2013
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Trout Lake Market
Location: John Hendry Park, North Parking Lot (East 13th Avenue @ Lakewood and Templeton / Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 11, 2013 to October 19, 2013
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 12, 2013 to October 20, 2013
Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm each Sunday

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/

Artisan Farmers' Markets

Lonsdale Quay
Location: Lonsdale Quay, East Plaza (123 Carrie Cates Court / North Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 4, 2013 to October 26, 2013
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 4, 2013 to October 26, 2013
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

Ambleside Market
Location: West Vancouver Police Station, Parking Lot (13th and 14th Street and Bellevue Avenue / West Vancouver - map)
Dates: May 5, 2013 to October 27, 2013
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/

Apron Sewing Project Update and SFU Harvest Box Program

Wondering how to get your hands on one of those gorgeous aprons from the Burnaby Food First apron sewing project? Or maybe you're looking for a way to buy local food and support local producers at affordable prices? (It's okay if you're keen on both, too!)

Burnaby Food First Apron Fundraiser Sales Schedule

Location: Burnaby Farmers' Market, Burnaby City Hall, North Parking Lot (4949 Canada Way / Burnaby - map)
Dates: May 4, 2013 to October 26, 2013
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each Saturday

For the remainder of this year's market, Janice Bobic of My Father's Garden will be on site to sell aprons as well as her delicious fruit and honey.

The dates are as follows:

August 3, 10, and 17
September 7, 14, 21, and 28
October 5, 12, 19, and 26

Sustainable SFU Harvest Box Program

Funded and provided by Sustainable SFU, the Harvest Box Program is an easy and affordable way to get local fruits and vegetables, which are purchased by the program directly from the farmers themselves. The program is open to staff, students, and community members.

Credit: jalb via Photopin (cc)

There are two boxes available. Orders must be made online a week before by 1:00 pm.

Box 1: Value Box ($8.50)
Contains at least 7 varieties of fruits and vegetables, which are sourced as locally as possible. The box may include produce such as apples, carrots, purple spinach, onions, broccoli, and potatoes.

Box 2: Local Box ($15.75)
Contains a large assortment of fruits and vegetables, all of which are sourced from local producers. The box may include produce such as apples, cabbage, tomatoes, sprouts, and kale.

Boxes can be picked up on delivery days at either the Burnaby or Harbour Centre campus of SFU.

To find out more about the program or to order a box for yourself and get pick-up information, visit the Harvest Box Program website.

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.

What's Happening: Classes and Workshops

Summer is gearing down -- don't the warm months always speed by? -- and with September around the corner, now is the time to grab up registration seats for the repertoire of classes and workshops starting this autumn.

Want to learn about food preparation safety? Food security issues? Want to take a culinary journey around the world? Or try your hand at cheese making? Look no further!

Burnaby Community & Continuing Education

Burnaby Community and Continuing Education offers a number of courses on cooking, health, and home food production.

Registration started August 1. Register early, because spots go quickly!

Caribbean Cooking (0018-1): September 22 ($59)
Cooking with Curry (0006-1): September 27 ($49)
Indonesian Favourites (0007-1): October 2 ($48)
Preserve Your Own Food: Canning (0024-1): October 3 ($40)
Thai Cooking (0016-1): October 10 ($49)
Baking with Gluten-Free Alternatives (0029-1): October 13 ($74)
Bee Keeping (0302-1): October 13 ($49)
Making It Last: Drying Foods (0028-1): October 13 ($58)
Raw Food for Optimal Health (0019-1): October 17 ($64)
Make Yoghurt & Cheese Without Dairy (0013-1): October 24 ($70)
Soup's On (0011-1): November 1 ($49)
Artisan Cheese Making (0025-1): November 3 ($59)
Singapore & Malaysian Cooking (0010-1): November 20 ($48)

For details, times, and locations on the above courses and to register, please visit the Burnaby Community and Continuing Education website: http://www.burnabyce.com/

FoodSafe (Level 1)
Dates: September 8 & 29 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: BCIT / 3700 Willingdon Ave. @ Building NE1, Rm 422 (map)
Cost: $70 (including taxes)

FoodSafe (Level 1) discusses the top 10 improper food-handling practices that cause over 95% of all food poisoning cases and how to reduce risk of food poisoning through proper food handling techniques.

Topics covered include an introduction to how microbes cause food poisoning, proper receiving and storing of foods, and food-handling steps such as cooking, cooling, reheating, cold and hot-holding, and thawing. Personal hygiene, safe service of food, cleaning, and prevention of food-service worker injury are also discussed.

To reserve a seat or for more information, please call (604) 272-7213 or send an email. For details, please visit the ADVANCE Hospitality Education website: http://www.foodsafe-courses.com/

The Politics of Food and Eating
Dates: September 10 to October 22 from 9:30 am to 11:20 am
Location: SFU Vancouver / 515 W Hastings St. (map)
Cost: $104 (total of 6 classes)

Please note that this course is for adults aged 55 and older.

How have iceboxes and refrigeration transformed our dinner table? Join Josh Labove and explore factors that have resulted in food insecurity for the urban poor, as well as the surging popularity of food trucks and the bringing of once-exotic cuisines to the Lower Mainland. The challenges posed by urban food deserts -- places where fresh produce is hard to find -- will also be discussed.

For details and to register, please visit the course website: http://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/

Healthy Habits
Dates: Every month, Wednesday at 5:15 pm
Location: Galloway's Specialty Foods / Richmond (map)
Cost: FREE

Beginning from September, join Dr. Neetu Dhiman once a month for information on healthy habits and learn how to select smart and healthy foods to ensure a long-term solution for optimal health and a happy body.

Space is limited, so please call (604) 270-6363 to register your spot. For more information, please visit the Galloway's website: http://gallowaysfoods.com/. A schedule of classes will be posted in August, so stay tuned to their website for details!

What's Happening in July

Summer is finally here! (Or at least that's what our calendars say.) Whether the sun is out or not, fear not: there's still plenty to do this month.

July Summer Kick-Off Food Swap

Location: Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue (map)

Date: July 5, 2012 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Cost: $5 per person

Trade your homemade, home-grown, or foraged creations with other participants!

Registration is limited for this event. To pre-register, and for more details, please visit the Food Swap Burnaby website: http://julyfoodswap.eventbrite.com.

Follow Food Swap Burnaby on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/foodswap.bby

SFU Pocket Farmers' Market

Location: SFU Burnaby campus, Town Square @ Cornerstone (map)

Dates: May 30, 2012 to October 31, 2012

Hours: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm each Wednesday

The market offers fresh local and organic produce, freshly baked bread, drinks, free-range organic eggs, honey, salsa, james, pickles, and more.

Follow SFU Pocket Farmers' Market on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SFUPocketMarket

Burnaby Art Gallery's Lunch BAG Days

Location: 6344 Deer Lake Avenue (map)

Date: July 13, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Cost: $11 per person

Tour the current exhibit with the gallery's public programmer, and then enjoy a lunch of fresh greens, breads, appetizers, cheese, and dessert with your tea and coffee.

This month features a tour of The Moveable Feast, by Vancouver artist Holly Schmidt.

Spaces are limited, so book early! Call (604) 297-4422 to reserve a space.

Please note that the event is for adults only.

The Moveable Feast is a season-long garden project made in response to the movement of food across the world in the context of rapidly dwindling varieties of food. Issues surrounding food production and consumption and urban gardening are explored through a series of public events and workshops that take place within the project's garden space.