Grandview Woodland Food Connection E-Newsletter

Welcome to issue #51 of the Grandview Woodland Food Connection E-Newsletter. This newsletter has been created to share information about food security in the Grandview Woodland and neighbouring communities. Please feel free to send us any information that you would like included.

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Check out our blog - http://gwfoodconnection.wordpress.com/
Stone Soup
We are also on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwfc/sets/
Britannia Urban Gardens 
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Events


1. STONE SOUP 2012
2. BRITANNIA BULK BUYING
3. FRESH ROOTS CSA
4. CLOSE TO HOME CSA HARVEST BOX PROGRAM
5. COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE


Workshops


1. BRITANNIA FOOD AND MEDICINAL PLANT PRESERVATION
2. BRITANNIA SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOPS
3. CULTURAL GROWOGRAPHY
4. CAN YOU DIG IT – SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOPS
5. TRAIN THE TRAINER CANNING WORKSHOPS IN VANCOUVER
6. COMMUNITY KITCHEN LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
7. COMMUNITY KITCHEN ROUNDTABLES


Jobs


1. PROJECT MANAGER – BC ASSOCIATION OF FARMER’S MARKETS (BCAFM)
2. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW – FOOD, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH PROMOTION
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VANCOUVER FOOD BANK SOCIETY


Volunteer Opportunities


1. VANCOUVER FRUIT TREE PROJECT : CALLOUT FOR BOARD MEMBERS 2012
2. BRITANNIA FOOD CELEBRATIONS
3. THE FOOD 2 U PROGRAM


Funding


1. GREENEST CITY COMMUNITY GRANTS
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Events

1. STONE SOUP 2012

Britannia Community Centre invites you to the 17th annual Stone Soup Festival. This much loved community food celebration is a food institution in Grandview Woodlands bringing together farmers market, food vendors, artists, community tables and more in a celebration of the importance of food in our lives.

Saturday, May 12, noon – 5pm

Britannia Community Centre

Special events include:

· The Urban Weaver Project: Drop in workshop with artists/weavers Sharon Kallis, Debra Sparrow and Todd De Vries; Explore simple weaving techniques with English Ivy; suitable for families with children 6 and up with adult assistance. 12 -5pm, Family Activity Room

· Growing Up On The Prairies: Ecology, Food and Community. A talk by Lori Weidenhammer. 1pm Britannia Library.

· Just Enough: Performance by Maggie Winston of Lost & Found Puppet Company.  2pm West Kid’s Area.

· Sauerkraut Demonstration. 3pm Britannia Site.

· The Dixie Stars Storytellers: The Stone Soup Story. 3:30pm West Kid’s Area

· Free Soup provided by: Liquids+Solids Café & Market. Plus all-day musical entertainment, facepainting, craft workshops, tea leaf reading, & more!

Information: britanniacentre.org or 604.718.5800

2. BRITANNIA BULK BUYING

Are you interested in fresh fruits and veggies? Do you want to save money? The Britannia Bulk Buying Group purchases fresh produce at wholesale prices saving you about 30% on your food bill.

Food is bought once a month and brought to Britannia Community Centre to sort and pick up. Cost is $13 for about 7- 8 varieties of food. That is two bags of food. This program is for individuals and households who are struggling financially.

For more information call Ian @ 604-718-5895

3. FRESH ROOTS CSA

We invite you to join us this season for our weekly community shared agriculture (CSA) program, where you will receive weekly produce boxes that do more than just feed your family. As a Fresh Roots CSA member, you enable and participate in the development of a sustainable food system through:

· Enabling schoolyard edible gardens and outdoor classrooms

· Training young farmers and allies

· Creating a local food economy

· Engaging in an innovative, truly sustainable, urban food system

CSA memberships are $700, payable in full at the beginning of the season, or in two installments (one now and another in mid-summer).

Your membership includes:

· Weekly veggies box for 22 weeks at $29.50/week

· $50 donation to Schoolyard Market Garden establishment costs

For more information and membership registration contact http://www.freshroots.ca/

4. CLOSE TO HOME CSA HARVEST BOX PROGRAM

Organic farmers Chris Bodnar and his wife Paige Dampier of Close to Home Organics in Abbotsford (part of Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-op) are offering shares of their upcoming harvest! Sign up now for this community supported agriculture (CSA) program to receive a weekly box of fresh local organic veggies for your choice of 16 or 24 weeks this summer. Half and full boxes are available, if you spend as much as $22 or $35 a week in fresh produce, this is a great program to be part of. You get exceptionally fresh, quality organic produce and directly support a local farm.

Sign up now for a 5% early bird discount! Support a local farmer! Visit: www.closetohomeorganics.com to learn more or sign up.

5. COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE

Located at the back of Strathcona Park, East Vancouver, Cottonwood is a large forest-like 4 acre community garden with beautiful common areas including a native garden; Asian garden; youth garden; permaculture garden; rose garden; blueberries, raspberries, Saskatoon berries, mulberries, apples, pears, Asian pears, persimmons, grapes, kiwis, cherries, currants, figs, plums, hazelnuts; and countless varieties of ornamental shrubs and perennials. Large plots, low fees, cooperative environment. Membership fees are $5/year; plot fees are $15/year. Plot size is around 140 square feet. We work cooperatively to maintain the beautiful common areas & run our garden.

For more information: 604-608-0384
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Workshops

1. BRITANNIA FOOD AND MEDICINAL PLANT PRESERVATION

The Grandview Woodland Food Connection and the Britannia Community Centre are pleased to present this series of traditional preserving methods that were commonly known skills prior to the advent of globalization and prepared foods. All workshops will be held at Britannia Community Centre. Registration – 604-718-5800

· ESL Canning/Taller de Conservas en Espanol

Unete a nuestro equipo y aprende los metodos basicos para el envasado de conservas de frutas y verduras. Equipo y el procesado seguro de alimentos (inocuidad de alimentos). Este es un taller practico en el que podras llevarte a casa tu producto envasado. Este taller es patrocinado por; The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, Grandview Woodland Food Connection y Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS).
Sat. May 19, 1:00-4:00pm Por donacion

· Preserving Healthy Foods
Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist Tricia Sedgwick from “The World in a Garden” and learn various techniques for preserving your harvest. Topics will include dehydrating fruit and veggies with recipes and samplers, winter food storage and recipe ideas, bulk buying and maximizing nutrition, along with other methods for preserving food including fermentation and canning.
Sun. June 3, 1:00-3:00pm $12

· Urban Plant Medicine Foraging

Illness and injury are on the rise, pills and potions at every turn are not the solution! It’s time to take responsibility for own health and wellness. In this class you will learn to identify a few key herbs and natural plant medicines that grow in your own neighbourhood as well as how to convert these amazing regional health wonders into teas and tinctures. Prevention is the cure – time-tested traditions are the pathway to abundant health. Presented by Sasha Laing, wellness coach and herbalist with Humble Roots. Be prepared for a 4 or 5 block walk.
Sun. June 24, 1:00-4:00pm $18

2. BRITANNIA SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOPS

Grandview Woodland Food Connection and Britannia Community Centre are pleased to offer this series of FREE gardening workshops in our new Britannia garden space. All workshops are hand-on and located outside next to the Britannia tennis courts. Please contact 604-718-5895 to register.
Britannia Community Centre
Free

· Children’s Springtime Gardening (5-10 yrs)

Explore a green world…With a Garden Themed Party! Learn about the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse Recycle and discover many more R ‘s at this gaRden party. gRow your own food, healthy Recipes, cRafts with Recyclables and Eco fRiendly materials. gaRden paRty pRizes for children who come dressed with their favourite fruit or vegetable colours. Presented by children’s educator Ivonne Penit from Explore a Green World.
Tue. May 29, 4:00-5:00pm
Tue. June 5, 4:00-5:00pm

· Backyard Composting with Spring Gillard

Want to learn how to compost or get some tips on how to manage your bin better? Join Spring Gillard (www.compostdiaries.com), and get all your burning compost questions answered in this fun and informative session for both new and experienced composters.
Sat. May 26, 2:00-4:00pm

· Growing Food with a Black Thumb

This workshop touches upon important things to know about backyard gardening and is intended for beginner gardeners. How to improve soil fertility, when to plant what and where different herbs and vegetables like to be situated in the garden. Workshop taught by the Environmental Youth Alliance expert gardeners.
Sat. June 2, 2:00-4:00pm

· To Dig or Not to Dig, Soil Health is the Question

Improve your food garden’s fertility through organic approaches that support the intricate ecological communities that define true soil health. Begin to understand the relationships that exist between plants and soil organisms, how healthy soil is created and begin to devise a year long maintenance plan for your garden that will maximize yields with a minimum amount of energy and material input. Workshop taught by the Environmental Youth Alliance expert gardeners.
Sat. June 9, 2:00-4:00pm

3. CULTURAL GROWOGRAPHY

Guerrilla Gardeners of the Purple Thistle present art about plants and food-growing! exploring our relationships with plants through art, writing, stories, music, print, drama, critiques, zines ‘n’ stuff… ALL WELCOME – all ages, all experience. Alternate Thursdays: 5 April, 19 April, 3 May, 17 May, 31 May, 7 June plus Wednesday 11 April, and maybe more Weds sessions too 6-9pm (optional group activities 6-7pm)
Purple Thistle Centre, #260-975 Vernon Drive, Vancouver
(unceded Coast Salish Territories)

plus: Thursday 21 June – Solstice Celebration performance/storytelling and exhibition. Details tbc
https://www.facebook.com/events/140533996075538/

4. CAN YOU DIG IT – SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOPS

Can You Dig It and Still Creek Community Garden are excited to present a Spring Gardening Workshop Series, at Still Creek cg (4410 Kaslo, across form 29th Ave skytrain station).

The workshops are presented by Jodi Peters, a Certified Permaculture Designer, teacher, and passionate urban farmer! Admission is free, but space is limited, so please register quickly at info@cydi.ca

Attached is a flier that you can distribute in your network, and you will find more information about the workshops at http://cydi.ca/2012-spring-workshop-series/

5. TRAIN THE TRAINER CANNING WORKSHOPS IN VANCOUVER

These two day workshops are specifically for those who want to teach canning classes in their community. Learn up-to-date safe canning practices as well as theoretical & practical techniques. We will review old & new canning equipment & tools as well as discuss the various canning products & ingredients on the market today. Find out about canning & safe food handling resources available to you. Discuss how to run a canning workshop that best suits your community’s needs. This workshop is a combination of lecture, discussion, demo and hands-on experience with boiling water bath canning and pressure canning. Bring your canning questions, comments and your own lunch!

Prerequisites: Participants must be:
Experienced in canning
Community agency representatives who will be running community canning classes in 2012

Faciltated by: Emerie Brine, Executive Chef, Bernardin,
Diane Collis, Manager, Fresh Choice Kitchens; and
Darlene Tanaka, Co-ordinator, Fresh Choice Kitchens

The workshop is being offered twice, choose between:
1) Mon, April 30, 2012 9 am – 4 pm & Tues, May 1, 2012 9 am – 4 pm
OR
2) Wed, May 2, 2012, 9 am – 4pm & Thurs, May 3, 2012 9 am – 4 pm
Cost: $175.00 per person* (please bring a lunch)
Location: Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave
Registration: Contact Darlene Tanaka, 604-216-2325, darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca

6. COMMUNITY KITCHEN LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

During this workshop you will have the opportunity to find out more about community kitchens, different ways a group can work and how you can lead or start a community kitchen. Learn the history of the community kitchen movement and the effect it has had around the province. Hear about the different kitchen models that run successfully in our communities. Experience a community kitchen first hand! Lunch will be provided.
Dates/Times: Thurs, June 7, 2011, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave. (Click here for directions)

Cost: $45.00 (lunch provided)

To register: Contact Darlene Tanaka, at 604-216-2325 or darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca

7. COMMUNITY KITCHEN ROUNDTABLES

These free, two hour roundtable are an opportunity to meet other community kitchen leaders, to share and hear about other kitchen activities, challenges & successes. We are now posting an overview of what is discussed in our Roundtables – visit the blog category “Around the Table” to see notes of previous meetings.
Thurs, May 31, 2012, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

To register: Contact Shona Lam at shonal@foodbank.bc.ca. Although it is a free workshop, we kindly ask that you register so that we know who will be in attendance. Location: Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, 1150 Raymur Ave
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Jobs

1. PROJECT MANAGER – BC ASSOCIATION OF FARMER’S MARKETS (BCAFM)

The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) was founded in 2000 to: Support British Columbia producers of agricultural products, food products, and crafts; Promote, educate, encourage, develop and support farmers’ markets in the communities of BC; Educate the public to choose healthy British Columbia grown agricultural products to ensure a secure food system, to reduce the carbon footprint and to ensure the viability of farming into the future; Represent the farmers’ markets of BC in all matters in which they are generally interested; and Advocate to industry, government, agencies, commissions and boards on matters which impact and interest the members.

For more info: http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/jobs.htm

2. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW – FOOD, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH PROMOTION

Faculty of Land and Food Systems
University of British Columbia

What Shapes Food Practices on School Days?
Examining the Connections between the School Food Environment and Students’ Dietary Practices.

BACKGROUND: Improving the eating habits and nutritional health of children and adolescents is a priority area for health promotion. Critical gaps remain in our understanding of how dietary choices and health behaviours are embedded in social contexts and shaped by the food environment, particularly at school where youth spend much of their time. The Food Practices on School Days study is currently underway in Vancouver, and is collecting novel survey data from students in grades 7 and 8 that will be combined with school-level measures, resulting in a unique multilevel dataset to explore the associations between school-level characteristics (i.e., school policies, eating environments and vending options) with student-level outcomes.

JOB SUMMARY: Primary responsibility (~75%) will be analysis and interpretation of quantitative data and writing for publication. The Fellow will work closely with the Primary Investigators and other team members, but will also be expected to make intellectual contributions to data analysis and towards co-authorship of scholarly papers. Other responsibilities will involve coordinating the work of research assistants; facilitating communication among research team members; ensuring maintenance of project database(s) and website; monitoring quality of coding and data analysis through interaction with research assistants; and disseminating key findings to schools and community partners. For more info contact:
Jennifer Black, PhD RD
j.black@ubc.ca
Food, Nutrition and Health
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VANCOUVER FOOD BANK SOCIETY

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (GVFBS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food and related assistance to those in need. The GVFBS was established in 1982 when many small organizations, church groups and concerned citizens joined together in response to the economic recession of 1981. The mandate was to be a temporary social service provider, however, as the recession subsided the need remained. In 1982 the GVFBS assisted 200 people; today the GVFBS collects over 8 million pounds of food annually which it distributes to over 25‚000 people a week through 15 food depots and over 100 community agencies located throughout Metro Vancouver. The GVFBS continues to operate independent of government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals and organizations willing to donate funds‚ food and time.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the new Chief Executive Officer will provide operational leadership to all aspects of the GVFBS. They will be responsible for the strategic development, resourcing and on-going management of the GVFBS’s services. Managing strategic growth in the communities the GVFBS serves, ensuring operational excellence in service delivery and building meaningful relationship with partners and stakeholders will be key priorities for the new CEO. In fulfilling the duties of this role, this individual will also work towards further developing and promoting the GVFBS’s presence and impact in the community.

To be considered for this role, please visit www.odgersberndtson/ca/en/careers/10720 to submit your resume and related information online. For further details please contact Tara Parry or Kathryn Young in Odgers Berndtson’s Vancouver office at 604-685-0261.

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Volunteer Opportunities


1. VANCOUVER FRUIT TREE PROJECT : CALLOUT FOR BOARD MEMBERS 2012


The much-loved Vancouver Fruit Tree Project Society (VFTP) is an important 
food recovery program in Vancouver that has been harvesting fresh fruit from 
local trees and then distributing it to community organizations since 1999. Some 
of our community partners are Westside Family Place, Britannia Community 
Centre, Downtown Eastside Neighborhood House and Mavis McMullen Housing 
Society, among many others. To date, we have picked over 35,000 pounds of 
lovely fruit and donated it to members of our community who might otherwise 
struggle to obtain such fresh, sustainably harvested produce.We are a registered charity, operating on a modest annual budget and are reliant 
on committed, enthusiastic volunteers to keep the project running. 


The VFTP is currently seeking individuals passionate about urban agriculture 
and food security to sit on our Board. At our next AGM in June we will be holding 
elections for 4 new directors with the following terms of office:
● 2 directors with a two year term of office
● 2 directors with a one year term of office


The VFTP holds general monthly meetings from March to December that last 
approximately two hours. An additional 1-2 hours per month will be spent 
overseeing the area you choose to “champion”. Our directors are volunteers and 
full attendance at the meetings is expected. There are no formal requirements 
for being a director, but we are looking for individuals with an interest and/or 
experience in areas such as:
● Communications (including social media and web content)
● Public Relations
● Fundraising
● Operations
● Transportation
● Volunteer Management 
● Social Enterprise 
● Book Keeping


Check out our website at www.vancouverfruittree.com or please contact Erin at 
erin@vancouverfruittree.com or 604-872-5591 for more information about the 
project and opportunities with the VFTP. We look forward to hearing from you 
and look forward to working together towards a successful 2012 harvest season!

2. BRITANNIA FOOD CELEBRATIONS

Stone Soup Festival – May 12, Saturday
*Mini Farmer’s Market *Community Food & Garden Info *Plants for sale *Children’s activities and more!
Welcome to the 17th Annual STOEN SOUP FESTIVAL at Britannia! Volunteers are wanted to assist with this event by running our Volunteer Cafe, hosting a workshop room, serving soup, assisting vendors at their tables and welcoming public to the event. A vibrant, annual crowd pleaser!
Shifts: May 12, Saturday 9:30am-2pm or 1:30pm-6pm (spaces filling up!)

East Feast Vancouver – June 3, Sunday
EAST FEAST Vancouver is a micro-funding event that supports local artists who live or work in the neighbourhoods of Grandview Woodland & Strathcona through a community meal. This meal raises funds through ticket sales which in turn directly funds an artist or artist group. This FEAST is grassroots micro-funding at its best, relying on community engagement to be successful. Volunteers are a large part of this engagement! Help with set-up, service and hosting… Shifts: June 3, Sunday 11am-2pm or 1:30-4:30pm

3. THE FOOD 2 U PROGRAM

The Food 2 U Program is a partnership between the Vancouver Food Bank and Vancouver Coastal Health. The program delivers food to homebound seniors or persons with a disability most Tuesday mornings and is looking for volunteer drivers (with their own car) and passengers. Mileage will be reimbursed for those using their vehicles. Volunteers must be able to work well with people and be physically able to lift 20-25 lb grocery bags. Familiarity with the downtown area is an asset. For further information, please contact Jan Russell at (604)301-3886.

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Funding

1. GREENEST CITY COMMUNITY GRANTS

Through a City of Vancouver partnership with the Vancouver Foundation both organizations will provide $1M to create a $2M Fund to support community projects that help reach the Greenest City goals. The Greenest City Fund will launch April 25 and be delivered over the next four years by the Vancouver Foundation. The Fund contains three program streams:

The Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants program will launch April 25th, providing grants of up to $1,000 to fund projects created by Vancouver residents that benefit their neighbourhood. Any Vancouver resident can apply to this program.

The Greenest City Community Grants program will launch this summer, providing grants of $5,000-$50,000 to charitable organizations to undertake strategic initiatives in support of the Greenest City goals.

Starting this fall, Greenest City Generation Green Grants program will offer grants of up to $10,000 to youth-led projects that support Greenest City goals. You can find more details here: http://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/greenestcityfund/
Application details will go live at this link when the fund formally launches on April 25th.