Locavore Events by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: October 2, 2009
Categories: Events / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
***NEW***3rd Annual Picnic at the Brick Works, October 4
FoodShare will again be participating in the eco-gastronomic event celebrating the pleasure, benefits and positive impact that come with supporting our local producers and the chefs who showcase these sustainable foods. The theme of this year’s Picnic is “locally global†in recognition of the many cultural groups from around the world who make Toronto their home and enrich our city through their diverse food traditions. Connecting the global palate using foods grown locally is a wonderful opportunity to bring environmental and cultural traditions together, and in the case of the Picnic, into a delicious mouthful. Sunday, October 4, 2009, Noon–4pm, Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto. Events on FoodShare website.
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.
***NEW***Toronto Youth Food Policy Council, October 5
We will discuss the evolving vision of the world’s first youth food policy body and how we intend to influence decisions that affect Toronto’s 300,000 young people. Tickle your taste buds with our upcoming events, including the “So You(th) Think You Can Cook?” competition taking place at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Chocosol’s Winter Solstice Celebration, and the Community Food System Employment and Opportunities Fair. October 5th, 5:30-7:30PM at Metro Hall in Room 309. Friends of the Toronto Food Policy Council Facebook Group.
Get Growing – Community Gardens for 2010 Workshop, October 6
Interested in learning how you can start successful community gardens in your town, village or municipality? This workshop will help you plan your new community gardens project or strengthen the already existing community gardens in your communities. Targeted to community leaders, you’ll learn about getting started with community gardens, acquiring land, funds, resources, publicity, setting policy and procedures, providing support for gardeners. Also, you’ll tour a community garden. Cost is $20 per person. Registration is required. Middlesex London Health Unit. Poster
For love of the farm, October 10 to 12
“For the Love of the Farm,†a juried fine art exhibit and sale organized by the Friends of the Farm, celebrates agriculture and horticulture through art. It is the Friends’ most ambitious art show and sale to date, featuring the work of nine well-established Ottawa artists over the three-day Thanksgiving weekend. “For the Love of the Farm†will open to the public from Oct. 10 to 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Nepean This Week story.
Nova Scotia Food Summit 2009, October 18 to 20
We’ve prepared the table and we invite you to spend three great days in the Annapolis valley – all about food! There will be 30 inspiring speakers – great discussions – October flavours with 10 chefs presenting wonderful food – tours of Gaspereau vineyards, Foxhill cheese house, Longspell farm, valley fields and farms – dine at local restaurants – musical entertainment – lots of conversations and connections – presentation of spirit Nova Scotia local food awards. From the summit we’ll look to our shared future. Website.
***NEW***Broken System in conversation with Matt Galloway, October 20
How do we rethink our food distribution and quota systems along with various other antiquated food policies in order to rebuild our food systems so that we can help support a model that is based around small scale local producers, while we ensure that we can provide nutritious and affordable food for all of our diverse communities? Panellists: a) John Rowe, Farmer, b) Debbie Field, Food Activist, FoodShare Toronto, c) Ruth Klansmen, Artisan Cheese Maker, d) Nick Saul, Food Activist, The Stop Community Food Centre. October 20, Hart House, University of Toronto, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Events on FoodShare website.
***NEW***Cities Alive Emerging Trends Series: Sustainable Urban Agriculture panel, October 20
FoodShare is excited to participate at CitiesAlive, the World Green Roof Infrastructure Congress taking place in Toronto Canada October 19 – 21 2009. CitiesAlive features an international ‘who’s who’ of participants from the green roof, green wall and green infrastructure sectors. Over sixty acclaimed speakers from diverse markets around the world will present on innovative projects and design, leading edge research and technical performance developments, policies that support green infrastructure development and emerging trends in green infrastructure. October 20th, 3:15 – 5:00 p.m. Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto. Events on FoodShare website.
What’s on the Label? What’s on your Plate? October 27
Join the discussion as we learn about misleading labels and signs on our food products. Local food activist John McVicar reveals label shortcomings and advises vigilance when making your purchases at the grocery store. Heather Harding, project coordinator with Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, explains why you may not be pouring much Ontario pinot noir into your glass even though the wine says “product of Canada.” Tuesday, October 27, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener
***NEW***Waterloo Region Food Summit, November 16 & 17
On November 16-18, 2009, world leaders will be meeting in Rome for the United Nations Food Summit to address the hunger crisis which affects one-sixth of humanity. At the same time, residents and leaders in Waterloo Region will come together to discuss the challenges to accessing food in our community, share ideas, and decide what to do to address the situation. Keynotes: a) Kathryn Scharf, Program Director, The STOP Community Food Centre, Toronto, b) Elbert van Donkersgoed, Editor, The Locavore News: Perspectives on Good Food and Farming. Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable Announcement.
Urban Agriculture Symposium, November 20
Backyard Bounty and the University of Guelph will be hosting the first symposium on urban agriculture in Guelph. Symposium will bring together the movers and shakers in the Urban Agriculture scene. The Symposium aims to not only inspire action but address key issues and provide connections that enable the Urban Agriculture movement to advance. Symposium details.
***NEW***Grown Close to Home – Really! January 26, 2010
Tired of food that looks and tastes like it has traveled miles to your plate? Not really sure where the “Grown Close to Home” food in the grocery stores comes from? Concerned about pesticides and chemicals on your food? Want to eat more local, sustainable food? Join us for a panel discussion about where, why, and how to eat local and sustainable foods in Waterloo Region. Get connected to your food and some of the farmers who grow it. January 26, 2010, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener
***NEW***The Threat of Gravel Pits to Agriculture and Food, February 23, 2010
Over 7,000 acres of the best potato land in Dufferin County has been bought by a company that seeks to mine the land for the mineral aggregates below the surface. Across the province, many more acres of prime agricultural farmland lie on top of valuable aggregates, and existing provincial and municipal policies do little to prevent their conversion to gravel pits. Come hear from a panel of local farmers and activists talk about the threat to our food production and what can be done about it. February 23, 2010, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener