Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: November 11, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
The Canadian Culinary Book Awards
They read, they cooked, they deliberated. Since April, some of Canada’s top food professionals have been reading and testing their way through more than 50 entries to determine the winners for the Canadian Culinary Book Awards. Cuisine Canada and the University of Guelph are proud to announce the winners of the 12th annual Canadian Culinary Book Awards. The Culinary Collection on University of Guelph website
Canadian Association for Food Studies, Fall 2009 Newsletter (4MB PDF)
Canadian Agriculture in 2008: An Overview of Key Events
Prices of fertilizer and fuel continued to increase in 2008 with rising crude oil prices and consequently, shares of feed, fertilizer and fuel costs in total farm operating expenses increased further. Livestock farmers continued to face declining revenues in 2008, while dealing with rising input costs. In addition, the Country of Origin Labelling regulations in the United States created uncertainties in livestock exports. However, the trade surplus in agricultural and fish products grew significantly due to the strength of wheat, canola, barley and meat exports. Vista on the Agri-Food Industry and the Farm Community
Local organic veggies delivered over winter
As the weather cools down and more imported foods appear in our stores, you may be interested in turning “locavore” this winter and buying Quebec-grown, organically produced vegetables as well as supporting Quebec’s organic farmers. Such storage vegetables as beets, carrots, winter squash, potatoes, onions, garlic and, in some cases, endive and sprouts, will be available from 15 farms throughout the greater Montreal region. Montreal Gazette story.
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer feeds Victoria’s appetite for local (BC)
Two years ago, when Daisy Leslie Orser and Adam Orser uprooted their family and moved across the province to open The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer in Victoria, they knew the city was hungry for the fresh local produce they planned to sell. But they couldn’t have predicted just how hungry: Their business has grown to five times the size they had projected and continues to expand to keep up with voracious demand. For this achievement, Daisy, 30, and Adam, 35, have won BDC’s Young Entrepreneur Award for British Columbia and will be honoured tonight at a ceremony in Ottawa. Business Development Bank of Canada news release on Canada News Wire.
Vancouver’s chickens are coming home to roost – no, really (BC)
When Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson announced he was going to allow people to start raising chickens in their backyard, I thought he was joking. But when he dug up the lawn at city hall to plant a vegetable garden, I realized he wasn’t. Gary Mason writes in the Globe and Mail.
Will rice be the Interior’s next harvest?
It looked like the aftermath of a party, except Masa Shiroki wasn’t in a celebratory mood.
Silver and red tape reflected the sun’s rays while food was scattered carelessly on the ground as Shiroki and his wife, Yukiko, stared dolefully at the aftermath. A bird banquet, Canada’s only sake maker believes, destroyed two small test plots at Cinnamon Ridge where he planted rice in spring. Kamloops Daily News story.
Eat Local First (AB)
An initiative of Keep Edmonton Original – a group of local, independent businesses in Edmonton. Our mission is to educate Edmontonians on the importance of shopping and eating locally – for our environment, our economy and the vibrancy of our city. Website.
Alternative Agricultural Markets in Alberta, 2008 Survey (AB)
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) has for some time been devoting resources to the development of new opportunities for farmers to market their products. In 2004, ARD established a baseline estimate of the value of five alternative market sectors for agricultural products and services and investigated their growth potential. ARD wished to repeat these measures and obtain current information on three of the sectors, Farmers’ Markets, Farm Retail (formerly known as Farm Direct) and Farm Activities (formerly termed On-Farm Ag Activities). Since 2004, increasing interest has been expressed about the trend to purchase Local Food, so this sector was added to the 2008 survey. Full report (1MB PDF). Executive Summary.
Youth Food Policy
Toronto has the world’s first youth food policy council, Toronto Youth Food Policy Council, which is now recruiting members who are interested in food policy, food security, urban agriculture, farming and related topics. According to Tracy Phillippi, a York University student working on a masters in environmental studies and a member of the council, “For the first time, youth are being given a voice in the food policy discussion.” Children, Youth & Environments, Centre for Research and Design, University of Colorado Denver story.
Canyon Creek Local Harvest Menu
We start with outstanding quality ingredients, and enhance the appeal of classic dishes with subtle twists. We pride ourselves on the flawless execution of our unique chophouse menu. This menu showcases the freshest ingredients from local Ontario farms. Website for locations.
Coming to your grocery shelf: made- in-Hamilton spring rolls
As a newbie, Nem Food stood out. The new Hamilton company introduced its line of Asian-influenced food to the grocery world this week at a popular annual industry show. Nem Food, which makes frozen spring rolls and gyozas as well as rice noodles and shrimp chips, was among more than 200 exhibitors showcasing new products at the Grocery Innovations Canada conference, which ended yesterday at the Toronto Congress Centre. Hamilton Spectator story.
County gets creative with celebration of all things local
Local fare was on the menu at the first Creative Hastings dinner in Eldorado. The Oct. 20 event organized by Harvest Hastings attracted about 120 people who shared in a meal featuring local food, entertainment by the Lazy John Band and an update on the local creative economy. Stirling Community Press story (Hastings County).