Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: September 25, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
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.
***Detail Added*** 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. Wellington Rural Romp. self-guided tour details. Guelph Wellington Local Food Initiative.
***NEW*** Organic Farm Tour in Lanark County, September 26
Canadian Organic Growers Ottawa chapter has organized a farm tour for this Saturday, September 26, to the New Life Retreat and to Noble Bean Tempeh Company. New Life Retreat in particular wants to showcase their land and business in order to attract a potential farmer to their land. Some of the proposed arrangements are to lease, share or barter for land, and to use the land for any of fruits, veggies, field crops, hemp, livestock, incubator farms, etc, etc. Details.
The 100-Mile Challenge: Waterloo Edition, September 29
Come hear from people who are nearing completion of their 100-day commitment to eat only foods from within 100 miles of their home! Challenge organizers from the Healing Path Naturopathic Clinic will describe how and why they started the challenge, and several participants will share their experiences. Also, Gusto Catering chef Dominic Ellis will give tips on the many options available to you in cooking with local foods. Tuesday, September 29, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener. Healthy Food system Series, Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable Details.
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. Seminar information. To become a member of the Planning for Agriculture and Food Network contact Jim Hiley at Jim.Hiley@agr.gc.ca.
100-Mile Cooking Class – September Harvest, October 1
Chef and Proprietor Dominic Ellis of Gusto Catering has a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for local foods cuisine. For this class, he will use the foods available in September to create several fantastic dishes. Cooking show quality! $40 per person! Food sampling included! Minimum 8 and maximum 20 participants. So let us know as soon as you can! Thursday, October 1st, 7-9 pm, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 825 King Street West, Kitchener (beside Grand River Hospital). Email info@healingpathcentre.com to reserve.
FoodCycles Officially Ignites Toronto’s First Social Enterprise City Farm, October 2
Join FoodCycles, Toronto’s first social enterprise city farm (http://foodcycles.org), for their official launch party at Parc Downsview Park on Friday, October 2, 2009. The evening will include music, dancing, refreshments, a tour of the greenhouse and field, and opportunities for meeting with urban food producers and food policy shapers. News release.
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.
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.
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
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.