June 19, 2013

Welcome to issue #58 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/
Thanks Magee Secondary Students
Pandora Community Garden Gate
Stone Soup Festival
Spring Adventures at Britannia School
Food Banks, What the F#@K Harper

We are also on Flickr - http://flickr.com/photos/gwfc/sets/
Stone Soup 2013
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  • Britannia Youth Dinners Program - Come join us for a community meal. Connect with our youth. Volunteers needed to help prepare food, serve, cleanup. This new program focusing on youth inclusion is designed to connect with vulnerable Britannia youth through food and community. The meals run Tues and Thurs at Britannia Community Centre. Contact the GWFC if you can help - 604-718-5895
  • Canning equipment available to borrow. The GWFC has two canning kits available for community use. Includes 21 quart canner, canning rack, jar lifter, funnel, lid lifter, and bubble remover. No cost. Contact the GWFC - 604-718-5895
  • 2012 Vancouver Urban Farming Forum: Understanding Our Practices from Seed to Scrap. We are delighted to be sharing our report including 18 urban farming organizations from across Metro Vancouver who participated and worked with us to create a baseline landscape of urban farming practices throughout the region with a focus on the City of Vancouver. It was the beginning of the much larger community research process which looks even closer into the landscape of practices addressing what is working, what is not, and where the gaps are. But for now, here are what we think to be a pretty juicy nearly 40 pages:
  • http://www.urbanfarmers.ca/publications/reports/
    In thanks and good eats,
    Shelby and Zsuzsi
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Events

1. WOODLAND PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN FILM FUNDRAISER
2. NUTRITION COUNSELING SERVICE 
3. WOODLAND PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN – LE CHOU INTERGENERATIONAL GARDENING PROJECT
4. MY HEALTH MY COMMUNITY
5. FARMcamp
6. BC FOOD SYSTEMS NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING
7. VILLAGE VANCOUVER – GRANDVIEW WOODLANDS MONTHLY POTLUCKS

Workshops

1. FERMENTATION WORKSHOP - BRITANNIA
2. EATING FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
3. GWFC FOOD WORKSHOPS
4. GWFC GARDENING WORKSHOPS

Jobs

1. FACILITATOR FOR A COMMUNITY FOOD CHARTER PROCESS IN NEW WESTMINSTER
2. SLOW FOOD CANADA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Volunteer

1. UBC FARM MARKET
2. GRANDVIEW WOODLAND FOOD CONNECTION

Funding

1. NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS PROGRAM 
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Events

1. WOODLAND PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN FILM FUNDRAISER



























2. NUTRITION COUNSELING SERVICE

The GWFC and Britannia Community Centre will be hosting a new Nutrition Counseling Service with Nikoo Boroumand, a certified holistic nutritionist and herbalist. Available for under-served residents and open to all community members on a sliding scale basis. This service is aimed at helping you navigate the food choices available in our area and choose the foods that are best suited for your health, taking into consideration any health issues or goals you may have. Improved eating habits can help boost your physical and mental health. This service also aims to help connect residents to affordable, accessible, healthy food programs and options. Service available Wednesdays 6-9pm. Britannia Community Centre.

Contact Nikoo Boroumand at info@healinggardenswellness.com for more information and to book an appointment or visitwww.healinggardenswellness.com


3. WOODLAND PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN – LE CHOU INTERGENERATIONAL GARDENING PROJECT








































4. MY HEALTH MY COMMUNITY

My Health My Community is a new web-based health and wellness survey that will give residents the opportunity to help influence their community’s health priorities. This innovative new initiative was created through a joint partnership between Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Fraser Health (FHA) and the UBC Faculty of Medicine, eHealth Strategy Office.

My Health My Community will help us learn how our lifestyles, our neighbourhoods & our environment, all work together to affect our overall health and well-being. The information collected will be used in partnership with local governments, healthcare planners, academia and community stakeholders to shape future programs & community services that will benefit individuals and whole communities.

We will be launching My Health My Community at a free public forum on Thursday, June 27th, 2013. Sign up to join us at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver or participate the live webcast (details on connecting via webcast will be available at http://www.myhealthmycommunity.org).

6:30 Doors open

7:00-7:30 Introduction to My Health My Community
Dr. Jat Sandhu, Regional Director for Public Health Surveillance Unit, VCH, will describe the project and the ways it can help Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health communities improve the health of their residents.

7:30-8:30 Panel Discussion about Creating Healthier Communities
Dr. Art Hister will moderate a discussion between health and community leaders, as well as questions from the audience. Confirmed panel members (to date):
Dr Patty Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer and Vice President Public Health, VCH
Peter Fassbender, Mayor, City of Langley
Dr Kendall Ho, Professor and Director of eHealth Strategy Office, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Dr Victoria Lee, Medical Health Officer, FHA
Richard Walton, Mayor, District of North Vancouver
Dave Semple, General Manager, Community Services, City of Richmond
Please circulate this invitation through your networks and share this event on Facebook and Twitter

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, eHealth Strategy Office



5. FARMcamp

FARMcamp is a 7-day experiential summer camp for youth aged 14-18! We will incorporate workshops (such as farm skills and group decision-making), community building activities, whole-camp games, participant-led workshops, skill sharing and free-fun-time (swimming, stargazing, napping, singing, etc.) Check out the the FARMcamp handy-dandy handbook detailing: what to expect, food, what you will need to bring and travel information!

It takes place on Linnaea Farm School on beautiful Cortes Island: Klahoose, Wei We Kai, Kwaikah, Homalco and Sliammon Territories. Linnaea is a 315 acre property, covering lakes, farm animals, pasture/farmland, and forest.

This Summer! The camp will run from July 2nd to 9th, 2013.
More details and to register please visit: www.farmcamp.ca

6. BC FOOD SYSTEMS NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING

Please join the BC Food Systems Network as we celebrate 15 years of promoting sustainability and democracy in the BC food system!

The 15th Annual Gathering will be held at George Pringle Memorial Camp in Shawnigan Lake from July 5th through July 7th. Shawnigan Lake is located on Vancouver Island, about forty-five kilometres northwest of Victoria. The theme for this year’s event is “Food from the water, food from the land”. The Network recognizes that food is a human right. It is a gift from the Creator and we must honour the food as well as its sources, whether they be land or water based. Join us as we explore a wide range of issues related to producing and gathering food in British Columbia and explore ways to celebrate and protect our abundant resources.

The Network has a holistic perspective, embracing the way food issues cross cultures, sectors, and age groups. The annual Gathering is one of the ways we share insights, initiatives, strategies and critical analysis of the food system. This year’s Gathering will provide a balance of workshops, presentations and panel discussions with outdoor activities and time for sharing and socializing.
Registration details and a call for proposals will be issued shortly. If you would like to receive regular updates regarding the 2013 Gathering, please join our listserv or Facebook Events Page (please feel free to invite your friends!).

7. VILLAGE VANCOUVER – GRANDVIEW WOODLANDS MONTHLY POTLUCKS

Join folks in your neighbourhood working toward a resilient community and future. Commercial Dr. VV holds a monthly potluck & workshop the third Thursday of every month. Most potlucks & workshops will be held in the common room of Rising Star Co-op (1556 E. 5th Ave.).
Thursday June 20th – Chickens 101
Thur. July 18th 6-8pm: Green Cleaning
Thur. Aug. 15th: Break for the summer
Thur. Sept. 19th: Canning Basics
Sign-up for our monthly potluck & workshop reminders:www.tinyurl.com/commercialdrivevillage

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Workshops

1. FERMENTATION WORKSHOP - BRITANNIA








































2. EATING FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for at least 40% of all deaths in North America. They include atherosclerosis, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Dietary and lifestyle factors play a major role in preventing and reversing these and their related complications. Come learn the misunderstood roles of cholesterol and antioxidants in cardiovascular health, the risk factors leading to cardiovascular diseases and how to avoid them, recipe ideas, meal plans, information on helpful foods, herbs, and supplements, and tools to improve lifestyle factors.

Britannia Community Centre
June 27, 6 to 8pm       $15
Info: GWFC – 604-718-5895

Nikoo Boroumand is passionate about health and nutrition. She is a certified nutritional practitioner from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and also a Chartered Herbalist from Dominion Herbal College.


3. GWFC FOOD WORKSHOPS

Mindflulness Tea: How to Eat Your Way Out of Stress

Stress stops the process of eating and digesting. You can use the process of eating to communicate to your body, letting it know that it can relax. You get to enjoy every bite of a variety of delicious food as you take in and acknowledge the sublime view of the exquisite table, the royalty of all who accompany it and slowly uncover the sumptuous offering with its layers of gifts to our senses.
Sunday, July 28, 3 -5pm
LRC
Cost: $12

Canning Basics
Learn 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.
Monday, July 15, 6:30 – 9pm
Pre-teen Centre
Cost: $10

                                           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, methods and recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cost includes one sprout starter kit, sample snacks and lots of fun.
Sat, Aug 10, 3 – 5pm
Pre-teen Centre
Cost $12







4. GWFC GARDENING WORKSHOPS

All workshops in the Britannia Garden (NW Corner of Britannia School)
All Workshops $15


Fruit Tree Pruning

Help your trees produce better crops through summer pruning. We'll discuss the art and science of shaping trees to increase fruit size, color and taste. This workshop offers a hands-on look into techniques that have been used for generations to enhance fruiting in apples, pears and plums. Led by Tree City Executive Director David Tracey
Thursday, July 18, 6:30-8pm

Sheet Mulching and Edge Garden Integration

Anytime is a good time to start a garden, and it is especially fun in the sun. We will be finding nooks and edges to start a big new plot. A lasagna garden is easy to make by layering organic matter, allowing time to break down the grass underneath, and all the matter we layer on top. If can dig soil from pathways that can be a good way to get extra soil. We will plant field peas and other nitrogen fixers to fix nitrogen naturally.
Wednesday July 3, 5-7pm

Winter Garden

Summer is the time to plant a winter garden! “And don’t think the garden loses it’s ecstasy in winter. The roots down there are riotous!” – cabbages, onions, leeks, carrots, brussels, broccoli and many more can be in your garden to feed you through even the coldest seasons in our climate. Come join your community in preparing for a year round harvest, and take home some plants for your garden, patio or kitchen.
Wednesday July 17, 5-7pm

Soil Building and caring for Worm Boxes 


Soil can be made from many different types of organic matter. We can help it decompose in many ways, and also find a lot around in ‘waste streams’ though it can still be organic and ready to use. What do worms love? How can we make monstrous veggies and harvest year round? This workshop will also have an introduction to your local food network, a place to really get in touch with your community, food and environment.
Wednesday July 10, 5-7pm

Fertilizing Naturally

Would you like to produce healthy vegetables from scratch? Without the use of commercial fertilizers, we can still grow big veggies, and they will be healthier, too. With a few tried and true techniques, using natural systems and plants and ‘Dynamic Activators’. We can feed our plants and ourselves naturally and organically, promoting healthy body systems, and a healthy mind.
Wednesday July 24, 5-7pm

Jill Whitelaw is a local permaculture farmer and educator, involved with Permaculture Vancouver, the Hastings Sunrise Community Food Network, Seasons of Food and Cascadia North.

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Jobs

1. FACILITATOR FOR A COMMUNITY FOOD CHARTER PROCESS IN NEW WESTMINSTER

Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), on behalf of the New Westminster Community Food Action Committee (NWCFAC), is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to work with the committee to guide the development of a Community Food Charter for New Westminster. We are seeking consultants that have:
- Experience with community outreach, facilitating processes with diverse stakeholders, and events planning;
- A background and/or an understanding of food systems, community food charters, nutrition, public health or environmental studies;
- Knowledge and/or familiarity with the local food systems landscape; and,
- Ability to develop promotional materials that are easily understood by different literacy levels and ages that are visually appealing.
We invite appropriate candidates to submit a proposal to FSGV by June 21, 2013 for consideration.

More info:
http://www.bcfoodsecuritygateway.ca/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=13024


2. SLOW FOOD CANADA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Slow Food in Canada is looking to hire a bilingual part time communication officer to coordinate the communications of the Canadian network of Slow Food convivia from coast to coast. The candidate will also be responsible to manage the different communication tools of the Canadian executive board. The Communication officer will be working closely with the Canadian executive secretary and Slow Food in Canada co-leaders.
The ideal candidate will be fully bilingual in French and English on the spoken and written form and have an extensive knowledge of the Slow Food Movement and it’s values.
All candidates have to submit their resume and letter to the Canadian executive Secretary by July 7th 2013.
For more information: RFP for the Slow Food in Canada Canadian Communications Coordinator
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Volunteer


1. 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. Call Ian @ 604-718-5895

2. UBC FARM MARKET

The UBC Farm Market is back for another season, starting Saturday, June 22nd. This weekly event is made possible by a diverse and dedicated group of volunteers. If you are passionate about local, organic food and want to help us share our harvest with the community, then join the Market Crew! Orientations are happening now, so sign up on our volunteer site today. Please note, in order to volunteer at the market you must attend a Market Orientation. Our next orientation is July 13th. Once you have attended the orientation, you will then be able to access the Market Crew shifts. Have any questions? Then email ubcfarm.market@ubc.ca. We look forward to welcoming a new crop of volunteers soon!
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Funding

1. NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce Service Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is holding another Call for Proposals (CFP) for Community based Projects. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 for projects that encourage seniors to share their skills and experiences with others and help communities increase their capacity to address local issues.

Deadline for applications: Applications must be postmarked by July 5, 2013.

For full details on the Call for Proposals including the BC regional priorities and printable application package, please visit:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/seniors/funding/community/index.shtml

Information Sessions - please respond

We will be holding information sessions in communities throughout the Lower Mainland on best practices for the application process. If you are interested in attending one of these information sessions, please email:

W-T-LMSDP-PMTDS-BC-YT-NHSP-LM-PNHA-MV-GD@servicecanada.gc.ca

and include your name, organization, phone number.
We will respond with details of the information sessions as they are scheduled.
You can also reach us via telephone on our Program Hotline at 1-866-881-0691.
We look forward to seeing you at an information session near you!