Category Archives: Organizations

Organizations related to or supportive of local food

UBC Farm Fundraiser with Michael Pollan

Not to be missed, the final in a series of six Provenance: You are What You Eat, is “UBC Farm Fundraiser with Michael Pollan” of the bestseller, “In Defense of Food”.

Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m.

The series concludes with an afternoon presentation and book signing with author Michael
Pollan, on tour with the paperback edition of “In Defense of Food”. At this fundraiser for UBC Farm, Michael will share his manifesto for eating: “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Guests will receive a copy of “In Defense of Food” and will have the opportunity to have books signed by Michael.

“Understanding the Provenance of Produce”

Don’t miss out on Part 4/6 of Provenance: You are What You Eat, co-hosted by FarmFed and Barbara Jo’s Books for Cooks.

Wednesday, May 20, 6pm
Mark Bomford, Program Coordinator for the Centre of Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, will be the special guest this evening. Mark has been immersed in creating sustainable food systems for the last 14 years and has worked in various roles including growing food and managing food-centred organizations both locally and internationally.

Learn tips for buying sustainable produce and taste delicious, seasonal canapés complimented by vinaroon wines.

Would You Like Pesticides With That?

foodnewsiphone_app-mainI’ve often wandered the produce aisles at my local grocery store and wondered which of the veggies contain the most residual pesticide. I mean, it’s not something that just popped into my head, I did read an article about it once. I just can’t remember what the article said.

Well, wonder no more. The Environmental Working Group’s Food News has done the research and provided a list.

You can download the wallet version, read the full list online, download to your iPhone, or donate and get the magnet for your fridge version.

Have you tried this product? Add your feedback, post a comment…

What Goes Around, Comes Around

I remember a road trip through rural Canada as a child, Ontario I believe it was. There were signs showing the outline of a fellow wearing a hat with a bag over his shoulder nailed to posts as we entered many of the small towns we drove through. Under each was a day of the week, never the same day.

Sometimes it was Tuesday, sometimes Wednesday and even occasionally, Saturday. It took us quite a few towns and much conjecture to at last figure out what the sign indicated: what day the farmers market would be held in that particular town.

That was many years ago. I wonder if those towns still hold their farmers markets. If not, there’s a good chance they will be back in the future. The popularity of farmers market on the upswing, thanks to organizations like Farm Folk/City Folk and regional farmers market associations.

They’ve known for years what we’re only finally getting. Local food security matters.

2008 Vandusen Harvest Celebration

Vandusen Botanical Garden’s 2008 Harvest Celebration and Farmers Market was a great opportunity to take in both the fabulous Vandusen gardens and delicious garden produce. A wide variety of food products were available as expected, but I was also intrigued to discover a few organizations that are making a difference in the community.

The Vancouver Food Policy Council has succeeded in having a Food Charter adopted by the Vancouver City Council, indicating they are committed to “the development of a coordinated municipal food policy” and a “just and sustainable food system.” The VFPC continue to work with a variety of organizations and programs to further these goals.

Originally begun as a resource for underprivileged families, the Community Kitchen Program has grown to bring people from all walks of life together. In partnership with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, this community-building program uses church and community centre kitchens, as well as its own facility, as a meeting place for people to gather, learn, cook, and eat together.

UBC Farms and Friends of the UBC Farm were on hand to highlight the innovative research, sustainability education, and food security initiatives that the student-run farm has been involved in since its inception in 2000. Friends of UBC Farm is working to raise awareness of the University of British Columia’s plan to develop the property for yet more market housing at the expense of the valuable contribution the farm provides in creating a sustainable food system and culture.

Three more examples of the communities that good food builds. Delicious.