Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: August 31, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
Township just wants local food
Oro-Medonte has a significant farming community and the township has gone one step further to promote and benefit local farmers. In June, the Township of Oro- Medonte approved a local food procurement policy, the first for Simcoe County, mayor Harry Hughes said yesterday. Brought forward by the Oro- Medonte environmental advisory group, the policy encourages the use of locally produced food for municipally controlled functions, Hughes said. Barrie Packet & Times story
Cornering the Info on Consumer Trends
A new way to find out about consumer food trends, Consumer Corner has just been launched on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s website. The purpose of this new resource is to get more consumer-related information out to the industry. The industry has a need for information that will give them a better understanding of what consumers are buying and why they are buying it. Alberta Agriculture AgriNews.
Community Food Assessment Guide
A community food assessment is a participatory and collaborative process that examines a broad range of food-related issues and resources in order to inform actions to improve community food security. Experience in BC and in other jurisdictions has shown that conducting community food assessments result in many positive changes in the food security system. The Community Food Assessment Guide is a project of the Community Food Action Initiative – a collaboration of the British Columbia Ministry of Health and six Health Authorities. PDF – 24 pages.
Community Food System Assessment, A Companion Tool for the Guide
This document is a companion resource to the Community Food Assessment Guide and its purpose is to serve as an additional resource for communities undertaking a Community Food System Assessment. It provides a listing of potential indicators as well as links to the existing data sources and tools and methods for collecting data that can help in community food assessments. BC Health Services Authority. PDF – 22 pages.
Retailers, food industry in sustainability pledge (EU)
European retailers in March launched a forum to promote the sector’s environmental sustainability and help consumers to buy green. The move follows last week’s presentation by the food industry of an initiative to decrease the carbon footprint of products. EuroCommerce and the European Retail Roundtable are launching a Retail Forum and “counter proposal” to the EU executive’s Communication on Sustainable Consumption and Production. A specific Retailers’ Environmental Action Plan “matrix of environmental action points” has been designed to help individual companies to identify environmental measures that can be taken regarding what and how they sell, as well as helping them to communicate such actions to consumers.EurActive.com story.
NYC beekeepers swarm City Hall to protest ban
Keeping beehives in New York City is illegal under a law that bans them alongside venomous snakes, ferrets and elephants. But beekeepers have secretly tended to them for years in backyards and on rooftops. Now the beekeepers want the rules changed and their pastime to be legal. MSNBC/Associated Press story.
Benn on a UK ‘food revolution’
The government wants the UK to lead a food “revolution” to change the way it is produced and consumed. The Environment and Food Secretary Hilary Benn spoke to Sophie Raworth on the Andrew Marr show about what this meant for farmers and shoppers. BBC News video.
Foodlink’s 6th Annual Taste Local! Taste Fresh! in St. Jacobs, September 20
Foodlink Waterloo Region’s local food showcase and fundraiser has moved to a brand new location. The 6th Annual Taste Local! Taste Fresh! event will take place Sunday, September 20, 2009, 2-5 pm in Riverside Meadow’s Park in St. Jacobs. Once again guests will be able to spend a relaxing afternoon tasting a tantalizing array of appetizers prepared by teams of the area’s finest chefs and farmers. This year’s event will feature 20 chef/farmer pairings offering participants an opportunity to sample exquisite new recipes featuring local foods and farm-fresh products. Hosted by St. Jacobs Country and the Township of Woolwich. Website.
From the Farm Gate to the Dinner Plate, September 29
Traditional thinking about agriculture and food planning no longer satisfies the planners appetite. Come join in the discussion on emerging issues related to food security and food culture, resource management, climate change and agricultural land use planning. The Planning for Agriculture and Food Network is offering a single day seminar prior to the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)/ Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) conference. The seminar will include participants from across Canada and feature a tour of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. CIP/OPPI conference. Seminarinformation. To become a member of the Planning for Agriculture and Food Network contact Jim Hiley atJim.Hiley@agr.gc.ca.
Preserving the Harvest – Canning Peaches, September 2 (repeat, information added)
Want to enjoy fresh peaches over the winter? Join us for an evening session on canning basics. Each participant will take home 3 jars of peaches and all the information and skills needed to preserve peaches at home. We have ordered in spray and fungicide free peaches from Niagara. Space is limited to 10 participants. Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 – 8:00 pm atDiversity Gardens 1528 Notre Dame Drive, St. Agatha. Registration $30 per participant. Register by email tschumilas@rogers.com.
Rediscovering Canadian Tomatoes, September 19 (repeat, information added)
Did you know that there are no longer any garden tomato breeding programs in Canada? All new varieties on the market are bred for American gardens and growing conditions. Most seed companies are importing seeds from other countries and tomatoes that were bred in Canada in decades past are being lost. But – you can save them!! Come learn to grow heritage tomatoes and save their seed. You’ll get a chance to taste true Canadian tomatoes and take some of their seeds home with you for next year. Saturday, September 19, 10am – 12pm. Reregister by email cogpww@sympatico.ca. Location: Diversity Gardens, 1528 Notre Dame Drive, St. Agatha.
The Next Breadbasket?
Global regions where, given the right conditions, farm yields might increase, helping to feed an exploding world population.Atlantic Monthly map.