Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: September 8, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
Toronto Youth Food Policy Council, September 9
The Toronto Youth Food Policy Council will be formally introduced to the Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) on September 9th from 2:00-5:00 at Committee Room #4, Toronto City Hall. The Toronto Youth Food Policy Council will provide a youth perspective and act as a liaison between concerned Toronto youth and the Toronto Board of Public Health. We are a newly emerged group of dedicated youth who believe in a food system that is sustainable, equitable, regionally-focused and accessible. As a group that represents the diversity of Toronto youth, we will seek to build community partnerships, produce youth-centered policy documents and encourage the development of sustainable food infrastructure in Toronto. Toronto Food Policy Council Facebook Group.
Celebrate the Season Farm Tour, September 10
Over the last two field season ALUS has engaged 54 farm families on 65 different farm properties. Projects carried out on the working landscape have included: creation and expansion of wetland habitat; riparian buffer establishment; creation of Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savannah; reforestation using native Carolinian species; pollinator hedgerows; and grassed windbreaks. The tour will give you an opportunity to see the impact of ALUS on the agricultural landscape and tour three unique farms. Norfolk ALUS website.
Caledon’s Eat Local Month! September 12 – Whole Village Farm Tour
September is Eat Local Month in Caledon, a month-long initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and strengthening Caledon’s local food and farming system. Events are taking place across Caledon that promotes eating, cooking and savouring the local harvest. Eat Local Month events include cooking classes; wine tastings; restaurant dinner events; farm tours, special demonstrations at the Inglewood and Caledon Farmers’ Markets; a special film screening; a canning bee, and more! Challenge yourself this month and sign up for the seven-day Eat Local Challenge and year round the Take the Bite Out of Climate Change Food Pledge. Caledon Countryside Alliance website.
Guelph Wellington Local Food Tent at Guelph Jazz Festival, September 12
The Guelph Jazz Festival and Guelph Wellington Local Food have paired up again this year to bring patrons the best of the region’s food experiences. The Guelph Wellington Local Food Tent on Saturday, September 12 from 11 am to 11pm on Upper Wyndham Street in downtown Guelph will feature farm fresh local food that has been crafted by local businesses that support regional farmers. Guelph Jazz Festival website.
8th Annual Everdale Carrot FEST, September 12
Join us for the 8th Annual Everdale Carrot FEST! on Saturday September 12th. A celebration of local food and healthy living! It’s a day of farm crafts, harvest games, educational activities and more. We’ll be baking in the earth oven, making ice cream, playing with sheeps wool, and visiting with the farm animals. For adults we are offering a seed saving workshop and tours of the farm and Home Alive!TM, the straw bale demonstration home. Everdale Organic Farm and Learning Centrewebsite.
Meet the Neighbours: FoodCycles Open House, September 12
Learn about all the wonderful chances to gain new skills, grow vegetables, create compost and make a difference in the community. You will get a site tour, fresh food and snacks, see the vegetable garden, the greenhouse and worm composting. It’ll all happen Saturday, Sep 12, 2009 from 10:00 am to 1 pm. The FoodCycles greenhouse and one acre market garden is located at Downsview Park. Poster.
Eastern Ontario’s Agri-Tours, September 12-13
Agri-Tour invites you and your family to visit some of the unique farms of Eastern Ontario (The Lower Ottawa Valley). Rain or shine Agri-Tour will take place on September 12-13 and 19-20 2009. Farmers welcome you to open house visits on two successive weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Renew your acquaintance with the rural roads of our region while enjoying speciality foods and products. Road signs will help you find your way to each farm. A modest entrance fee is charged at each farm. Agri-Tour website. A project of L’Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens.
Take a Ride – 2009 Tour de Greenbelt, September 12 – St. Catharines/Niagara, September 13 – Burlington/Halton
Looking for a way to spend a late summer Saturday? Perhaps a leisurely bike ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Ontario is the answer. Or maybe a freshly prepared meal using all locally grown food or how about spending a day with family and friends. Maybe paying a visit to a local farm or farmers’ market, or exploring some scenic attractions you may have never noticed before. Experience all of this and more at the 2009 Tour de Greenbelt! Details in Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation August Newsletter
Chatham-Kent ag tour to feature value-added enterprises, September 13
The Kent Federation of Agriculture’s 12th annual “Round the County Ag Tour†will take place on Sunday, September 13th. This year the free self-guided driving tour will highlight 4 local agriculture operations in the Chatham to Blenheim area. This is a great opportunity for the public to tour local agriculture operations that may normally not be open to the public:
- Buis Beef Ranch, 7186 Ninth Line, Raleigh
- Steve & Alice Uher Farm / Uher Feeds, 20970 Harwich Rd., Blenheim
- Gladstone’s Sweet Potatoes, 428 Chatham St. S., Blenheim
- Smith & Wilson Wines, 8368 Water St., Blenheim
Maps describing the tour are available as placemats at many local restaurants, at a variety of local ag businesses, at local Libraries, Municipal service centers or you can call the Kent Federation of Agriculture office at 519-674-1595.
How to Spark Life in Your Garden Soil, September 16
Learn how to keep your soil healthy so it can grow lots of fresh food! In this FREE workshop, you’ll see a soil test demonstration to find out how good or bad your soil is. There will be a potluck, an open discussion of gardening techniques and a chance to ask John questions. It’ll take place Wed, Sep 16, 2009 5-6:30 pm at FoodCycles city farm at Downsview Park. Website.
The Future of Food: Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies, September 18
The production and distribution of food are becoming increasingly important to policy makers. How do we balance imports and exports to create a truly sustainable food supply chain? How do we develop a sustainable Canadian model for the growth of food-based industries? Friday, September 18, 7:30-11:30am, Innes Town Hall, 2 Sussex A, Toronto. Organized by theCanadian Urban Institute. Information and registration on the CUI website.
Rediscovering Canadian Tomatoes, September 19
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.
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.
The Food We Need Now – A Celebration of Great Ontario Farming, September 26
In support of the Ontario Farmland Trust, join author Margaret Webb in conversation with a number of esteemed guests. Margaret will be reading from her book Apples to Oysters. A Food Lover’s Tour of Canadian Farms and signing copies. Saturday September 26, 2009, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, The Bookshelf E bar, 44 Quebec St., Guelph. (Suggested donation: $10.00) Please RSVP the Ontario Farmland Trust at info@ontariofarmlandtrust.ca. Website.
Wellington Rural Romp, September 26
A one day self guided tour of over 20 farms and markets in Guelph and Wellington. Taste testing, guided farm tours, children’s activities and more. Saturday September 26th, 11am-4pm. Information on the Guelph Wellington Local Food Initiative 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.
Savour Simcoe 2009 – Autumn Harvest Celebration, October 4
Simcoe County Farm Fresh along with many community partners will be hosting the 2nd Annual “Savour Simcoe Autumn Harvest Celebration” this fall. A culinary event showcasing the wonderful food grown and produced in Simcoe County prepared by the finest chefs in the County. Local Beer, wine and cider will also be featured. Sunday, October 4th, 2009, 12 – 6 PM at Georgian College Dining Room (Barrie Campus). Cost: $35.00 per person (pre-schoolers free) Simcoe County Farm Fresh Website