Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: October 23, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
***NEW***Culture of Food, October 27
As the cultural and culinary icon Ruth Reichel observed, “America has become a food culture. It has moved from being in the women’s section to front-page news. It’s so important that the president and first lady thought they needed to start a farm garden at the White House.†We know from our 20-years being immersed in consumers’ and shoppers’ lives that ordinary people do not eat ingredients or nutrients or platforms or mission statements—they eat food. A Hartman Group WebinarExpress. Webinar registration.
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.
Grey-Bruce Event Supports Local Food, November 2
Local food is on the menu and the agenda in Elmwood November 2 at the first Grey Bruce Food Summit. Organizers say networking is a crucial part of a local food system – and the November 2 event is designed to build more networks among producers, farm market managers, chefs and vendors. Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell says the province supports local food – from the economic and health perspective. CKNX Wingham Radio AM 920 story.
Culinology Workshop, November 4-6
Transform a top-rated recipe into a commercial recipe by navigating the new product development process from idea to production. Guelph Food Technology Centre course.
2009 Canadian Culinary Book Awards, November 6
The Launch of the Canadian Culinary Hall Of Fame Book Award and the presentation of the Edna Award and the Founder’s Award will take place November 6, 2009 12:00 p.m. at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Salon S103, Exhibition Hall A in the Galleria of the Direct Energy Centre Building, Toronto. Hosted by Cuisine Canada and the University of Guelph. Following the Awards Presentation there will be a Gala Reception for our award-winning authors in Café Soleil just down the Galleria Hall. Since the awards are by invitation please R.S.V.P by October 26 to Jennifer Brayshaw by email, cuisinec@uoguelph.ca. List of entries. Shortlist.
***NEW***New Farmers Forum set for Lindsay, November 7
The FarmON Alliance is hosting a New Farmers Forum on Saturday November 7th in Lindsay at the Frost Campus of Fleming College. The program runs 11a.m. – 4 p.m. and includes lunch, with coffee and networking at 10.30 a.m. This event is jointly sponsored by the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy’s Farmlands program, regional partner in the Alliance for central Ontario, and Fleming College’s Co-op Program in Sustainable Agriculture. Pre-registration is required. Details.
“So You(th) Think You Can Cook” competition November 7 & 14 at the Royal
The Toronto Youth Food Policy Council and Journey to Good Your Good Health present: “So You(th) think you can Cook†competition as part of the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair, November 7th and 14th at 1:00. Do you have what it takes to cook a healthy dish using three Ontario ingredients with a budget of 15 dollars in 20 minutes? Flex your nutritional literacy in a creative call for school cafeteria reform! Details here. Application PDF attached. Go Forth and Cook!
Lucky in Land? November 14, Millbrook (near Peterborough)
Come hear from a couple local farmers who will discuss their creative land access arrangements. A representative from OMAFRA’s Succession Planning and Business Agreements Program will also talk about strategies and resources to help you work through succession and make sound land tenure arrangements. FarmLINK Technical workshop.
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.
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.
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.