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.

Feature: NOWBC Co-op

If you're looking for a way to get your hands on affordable groceries, look no further. Buying clubs are groups of individuals who combine their buying power in order to benefit from wholesale prices and provide members with fresh, affordable food. By purchasing goods as a collective, customers are able to access lots of organic foods that would be less readily available otherwise.

Source: NOWBC Co-op

Neighbours Organic Weekly Buying Clubs (NOWBC) is a co-operative that strives to build a sustainable local food system by connecting local farms and processors with consumers and by building community around sustainable food choices. Originally formed in 2008 as a buying club, NOWBC Co-op has since blossomed into an online farmers' market that provides seasonal, local, organic foods sourced directly from small farms and processors, as well as fairly-traded goods not available locally and eco-friendly household items.

The emphasis of the co-op is on providing sustainable and ethically-traded groceries, supporting local producers in order to help strengthen the food system, and building community around sustainable local food and the sharing of knowledge.

NOWBC is open to members and non-members. There is usually a one-time $20 registration fee charged to new non-member customers, but this fee is currently being waived. Becoming a member requires a $90 investment ($10 per share, to a total of 9 shares), which is put towards expanding the selection offered by the co-op and covering costs associated with the delivery of groceries to customers. Orders are made online each week before the deadline and then shipped to depots in Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver.

For more information, to register with the co-op, or to become a member, please visit the NOWBC Co-op website: http://www.nowbc.ca/.