July 20, 2012

Welcome to issue #52 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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Flood at Glen Valley Farm - Please Help!
Britannia Urban Garden Blessing
We are also on Flickrhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/gwfc/sets/
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Events
1. 9th ANNUAL CORN FESTIVAL
2. BRITANNIA FOOD GARDENS FILM SCREENING AND FUNDRAISER
3. BRITANNIA BULK BUYING
4. EAST SIDE COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE
5. COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE

Workshops
1. BRITANNIA FOOD WORKSHOPS
2. BRITANNIA GARDENING WORKSHOPS
3. SAFE CANNING BASICS
4. SPEC / YWCA URBAN FARMER FIELD SCHOOL
5. EVERGREEN URBAN ORCHARD WORKSHOPS
6. HOMESTEADING MAMAS

Jobs
1. PROGRAM LEAD – COMMUNITY DROP-IN AND RIGHT TO FOOD INITIATIVES
2. COMMUNITY FOOD COORDINATOR, STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRE
3. PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR, FARM TO CAFETERIA BC


Volunteer Opportunities
1. VANCOUVER FRUIT TREE PROJECT
2. GRANDVIEW WOODLAND FOOD CONNECTION
3. THE FOOD 2 U PROGRAM
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Events

1. 9th ANNUAL CORN FESTIVAL

Join the Latin-American community’s corn harvest in celebration of our unique cuisine and culture. FREE FAMILY FUN. Enjoy a day of Latin-American dancing and music. Try delicious ethnic dishes all made with corn like pupusas, tamales, tostadas and more. Fresh corn available for sale. Check out the kid’s zone. Presented by the Canadian El Salvador Action Network with support from the Grandview Woodland Food Connection

Sunday, September 2
11am to 5pm.
Britannia Community
Centre, Gym “D”.
For information: cornfestival2012@gmail.com

2. BRITANNIA FOOD GARDENS FILM SCREENING AND FUNDRAISER

The Grandview Woodland Food Connection, Eastside Family Place and Slow Food are pleased to present a special film screening in support of the new garden twinning project between the Britannia School Food Garden and the Slow Food Thousand Gardens in Africa Project.

Film: To Make a Farm (2012) is a beautifully photographed documentary exploring of the lives of five young people who have decided to become small-scale farmers. The Man Who Stopped the Desert (2010) tells the story of Yacouba Sawadogo, an illiterate African peasant farmer who has transformed the lives of thousands of people across the Sahel.

Britannia Community Centre, Upstairs Canuck Family Education Centre
Sunday, Oct 14
6 pm silent auction & food. 7pm film Screening
Information: 604-718-5895

3. 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

4. EAST SIDE COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE

Two community gardens under the skytrain tracks are seeking new garden members for 2012. Further information on My Own Backyard (MOBY) Garden, which features a cob shed located at 11th and Commercial Drive, can be found on their blog http://mobygarden.wordpress.com/about/ or by emailing moby_lize@yahoo.ca .
The second garden, Cedar Cottage Garden, with over 100 raised garden plots is located by Hull Street and Victoria Drive (below Stainsbury). Check out their website https://sites.google.com/site/cedarcottagegarden/how-to-get-involvedor email them at cedarcottagegarden@gmail.com for additional information.
The waiting list is relatively short, so there is a good opportunity for people to get plots for 2012 if the gardens are contacted soon.

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. We have 140 large garden plots, 10 of which are fully accessible for seniors, people with disabilities and people with chronic health conditions. We are home to many species of birds, including a pair of nesting bald eagles.
Membership fees are $5/year; plot fees are $15/year.  We work cooperatively to maintain the beautiful common areas & run our garden.
If you’d like information about our community garden, contact cottonwoodgarden@gmail.com
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Workshops

1. BRITANNIA FOOD WORKSHOPS
Information: 604-718-5895


All About Sprouts

Come learn about the amazing benefits of living sprouts and how to incorporate them into your daily diet for just pennies a day! This workshop will cover the health benefits of sprouting, sprouting methods and recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cost includes one sprout starter kit per participant, sample snacks and lots of fun!
Tuesday, Aug 23
6:30-9:30pm
$15

You Can Too

This class will teach the basics of canning and preserving food. No experience necessary. You will learn all the basics including supplies and kitchen prep, how to prep fruits & veggies, safe canning methods, and other tips & strategies for canning at home! All participants will walk away with their own canned treat made during the evening.
Saturday, Sept 29th
2 – 5pm
$12

Spicy Kimchi

It’s spicy, tart and rated one of the world’s healthiest foods by Health magazine in 2008. Kimchi’s probiotic bacteria (lactobacilli) are good for both your gastrointestinal and immune systems and adds a tasty kick to a variety of meals. Led by www.culinaryadventures.co founder Gloria Chang who learned to make kimchi from her Korean mother, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to make your own Baechu Kimchi (napa cabbage) to ferment at home and a fresh Kimchi salad to eat with your next few meals. You’ll take both home in two jars. No experience necessary!
Sunday, Sept 30th
1-4PM
$29 (Includes copies of Gloria’s CBC Radio doc on making kimchi with her mom)

2. BRITANNIA GARDENING WORKSHOPS

information: 604-718-5895

Preparing the Fall Garden

Learn how to make the most out of your garden this fall using mulches, cloches, and teas. This fun, hands on workshop will guide you through the process of making leaf moulds, sowing edible cover crops, and building protective coverings to extend the growing season. Come celebrate the coming of fall with us in the garden!
Saturday September 15th
2-4pm
$25

Saving Seeds

As the warm summer sun ripens bountiful fruits, it is time to start saving seeds for the next year. In this interactive workshop, you will learn what traits to look for when saving seeds, the effects of hybridization and cross-pollination on seed saving and different techniques for harvesting seeds. Each participant will get to take home a package of seeds freshly harvested during the workshop.
Saturday October 13th
2-4pm
25$

Growing Lush Winter Greens Indoors

As fall progresses into winter, keep your salads full of fresh living greens! This workshop will introduce the essential elements you need to grow tasty microgreens all winter long. From pea shoots to baby lettuce, you will be able to eat local organic greens all year while saving money and gaining more nutrients!

Saturday November 3rd
2-4pm
$25

Workshops taught by Katherine Oblock who is passionate about growing strong, healthy communities through experiential learning in the garden. Her work with many community projects including Farmers on 57th, the Landed Learning Project at the UBC Farm, and the residential garden at the George Pearson Centre, have given her the opportunity to unite elements of landscaping and permaculture design into urban gardens. She currently guides homeowners through the process of designing, building, and maintaining the organic garden of their dreams.



3. SAFE CANNING BASICS

This one-day session for canning instructors/leaders will review the basics of both boiling water bath (BWB) canning and pressure canning. Learn about old and new canning equipment, tools and current canning products on the market. Get the latest information on safe canning practices. The workshop will consist of a Powerpoint presentation, demonstration and discussion. Due to time limitations, please note that there will be no hands-on component. Bring your canning questions and comments and a lunch!
Presenters: Diane Collis, Manager and Darlene Tanaka, Training Coordinator, Fresh Choice Kitchens

$45 (Includes Bernardin cookbook & canning toolkit)
Thursday, July 26 – 9:00am-4:00pm (please bring a lunch)
Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, 1150 Raymur Ave, Vancouver BC
To Register: Contact Darlene Tanaka at 604-216-2325, darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca


4. SPEC / YWCA URBAN FARMER FIELD SCHOOL

Fruit Tree Pruning! 

Learn how to use pruning to make the most of your fruit trees! Not only does pruning add years of life to your fruit tree, but it is also makes your fruit tastier. You will learn how to prune with clear objectives and an understanding of how trees will respond to pruning cuts. Students will have the opportunity to practice pruning on the rooftop garden. Taught by Laura Ralph.
Sat, July 21 from 10am – 2pm
YWCA Metro Vancouver @ 535 Hornby Street
COST: $60

Beekeeping for Beginners! 

Come visit the bees at Southlands Heritage Farm and learn about Urban Beekeeping. We will cover basic bee biology, hive management, the beekeeping calendar, honey production and an introduction to integrated pest management. Participants will sample honey straight from the hive! Taught by Christian Duhme.
Sat, July 28 from 10 – 1pm
Southlands Heritage Farm
COST: $39

Razan Abu-Remaileh,
SPEC|YWCA Urban Farmer Field School
fieldschool@spec.bc.ca / 604-736-7732

5. EVERGREEN URBAN ORCHARD WORKSHOPS

Join Evergreen at the Urban Orchard to learn about growing fruit trees in the city! These workshops will provide you with the knowledge you need to successfully grow fruit trees on any scale – whether in your backyard or at an urban farm. The workshops will be taught by Dr. Kent Mullinix, Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security for the Institute of Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Each workshop will combine classroom learning with hands on experience in the Great Northern Way Urban Orchard. Refreshments will be provided.

Fruit Tree Budding 

Wednesday, August 22nd, 6 – 8:30 pm Learn how to make your own fruit tree! Fruit trees are created through the process of grafting or budding – taking the bud of a desired fruit tree variety and attaching it to a different rootstock. Participants will get to take home their new ‘tree’ with them.

Canopy Management for Fruit Trees

Wednesday, September 26th, 6 – 8:30 pm
Pruning fruit trees is an art that anyone can master! Learn about different pruning styles and methods, tips and tricks, and how proper pruning will affect the fruit you grow over the years.

All workshops are free so register early. Please visit
http://www.eventbrite.ca/org/2269984435?s=8294509. Space is limited so register early!

6. HOMESTEADING MAMAS

Knead Bread Workshop

Join us for our beginners bread-baking class and learn a few simple techniques to create delicious & memorable bread in your own home! We will focus on techniques that help save time, effort and money while producing loaves with a moist crumb, crusty crust that look and taste incredible! No experience is necessary. All supplies and equipment are included but bring your apron and be ready to get your hands in the dough. You will leave with a basic recipe card & surprise to help you get started.No-

Monday, July 30
6 – 9pm
Cost: $35
Location TBA
register: thehomesteadingmamas@gmail.com and please pass along to your friends!
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JOBS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL THESE JOBS

1. PROGRAM LEAD – COMMUNITY DROP-IN AND RIGHT TO FOOD INITIATIVES

The Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House [DTES NH] is seeking a full time Program Lead: Community Drop-in and Right to Food Initiatives who will oversee the DTES Right to Food Network, born of our Food Philosophy, food related partnerships, oversee the Building Welcoming and Inclusive Neighbourhoods (BWIN) Program, and provide leadership to the Community Drop-In Program.

2. COMMUNITY FOOD COORDINATOR, STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRE

The food security coordinator will oversee the community centre’s food security programs, which include Breakfast program for school-aged children, Back Pack program, community kitchens, and cooking programs; and to provide food support to other programs such as After School Adventures, Seniors, Stroke Club, Out-of-school Care, Preschool, Project Limelight, Community Action Program for Children, etc.


3. PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR, FARM TO CAFETERIA BC

The Provincial Coordinator Farm to Cafeteria BC will support the establishment of a provincial advisory committee, facilitate the development of a strategic plan for BC, build capacity within communities that have existing programs, inspire new programs, advocate supportive policy and planning within the health, agriculture, education and municipal sectors, and strengthen and solidify the F2C BC network through timely communications. While Farm to Campus, and Farm to Hospital activity is on the rise and will require the support of the Provincial Coordinator, support for Farm to School programs, policy and practice will represent the lion’s share of the coordinators activity.

www.phabc.org/farmtoschool
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Volunteer Opportunities


1. VANCOUVER FRUIT TREE PROJECT

Volunteer fruit pickers and pick leaders are needed to harvest extra fruit from backyard fruit trees and redistribute it to community groups. In the past 12 years we have picked more than 35, 000 pounds of fruit and redistributed it to community centres, neighbourhood houses, daycares and other community groups. Reduce food waste, feed people in your community, and strengthen Vancouver food security. A range of fun volunteer positions are available.

TREEHOUSE TREATS

Is the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project’s new social enterprise. A portion of our fruit picked is made into fruit galettes and sold at farmer’s markets. Volunteers are needed to help bake the galattes and person the market tables

For more information on how you can help please Contact: coordinator@vancouverfruittree.com
or visit: https://vancouverfruittree.com/


2. GRANDVIEW WOODLAND FOOD CONNECTION

The Grandview Woodlands Food Connection is a grassroots food security group supporting residents to access healthy and affordable food. We are developing a number of community based food initiatives, including community gardening, bulk buying groups, school gardens, canning workshops,community kitchens and more and are looking for individuals interested in hands-on project coordination. Check out our projects. http://www.britanniacentre.org/services/community_services/food_sustainability.php

Call Ian @ 604-718-5895

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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