Feb 18th Markets and Trout Lake Community Centre Grand Opening

Hello Everyone,

For those of you that came out to the Community Potluck at Orchard- Thank you for all your amazing dishes and wonderful company. It was truly a great success and tons of fun.

We have exciting things going on this weekend as well. In addition to our pocket markets operating as usual at Brant Villa (10-12pm) and at Culloden Court (2-4pm), Trout Lake Community Centre will be celebrating their grand opening. The Cedar Cottage Food Network (us!) will be there from 12-3pm doing healthy cooking demonstrations. Come sample our yummy treats and learn more about your role in our community food system.

As I mentioned, we will be at both our usual '3rd Saturday of the month' locations.


Brant Villa: 2290 E.25^th Ave (near Nanaimo Skytrain)
We will be at this location from 10-12pm


Culloden Court: 1375 E 47th Ave
We will be at htis location from 2-4pm.

Here is what we are hoping to have at this week's market:

Beets
Red Cabbage

Avocado
Kiwi

Pears
Gala Apples
Garlic
Brocoli

Carrots
Bananas
Cucumbers
Tomatoes

Hope to see everyone there!

Feb 11th Market and Potluck Party!

Hi All,

Hope you all had a wonderful week and had time to enjoy some of that beautiful sunshine!

This Saturday morning, we unfortunately won't be at our usual location at Helping Spirit Lodge but we will be at our Orchard Park location for extended hours.

Orchard Park: 5988 Nanaimo St. (just at the corner of 45th and Nanaimo)

We will be there from 1-4pm. We are also having a community potluck. If you want to learn more about community food security in South Vancouver, connect with your neighbours or get health information come bring a labelled dish to share and join us!

Here is what we will hopefully be featured at this week's market at Orchard Park- Don't forget we also will have our incredible Tasting Kitchen to showcase this week's food!

Local:
Fuji Apples
Bosc Pears
Beets
Red Cabbage


Organic:
Avocados
Bananas
Sweet Potatoes

From elsewhere:
Blood Oranges
Garlic
Kale
Eggplant

We have tons of delicious produce items this weekend at really affordable prices. Come and check us out!

Also- check out our workshops at the new Trout Lake Community Centre- just look to their website and search for the Food Security workshops. We have a container gardening workshop this March!
http://vancouver.ca/parks/cc/troutlake/

January 21st markets

Happy Friday Everyone!

Come and brave the cold and wet tomorrow and warm up with fresh produce and delicious recipes at our pocket markets.

Tomorrow we will be at Brant Villa (2290 E. 25th Ave) from 10am-noon and then at Culloden Court (1375 E. 47th Ave) from 2pm-4pm.

Here is what we are hoping to have at this week's markets:

From BC:
Gold Nugget Potatoes
Gala Apples
Red Onions

Organic:
Spring Mix (clamshells)
Bananas

From Elsewhere:
Beets
Hosui Pears
Navel Oranges
Broccoli
Carrots
Grape Tomatoes
Kiwi
 
Here's an example of what you can make with beets: Moist Chocolate Beet Brownies. Yum!

I hope to see you all there!

Happy New Year- January Markets

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope your holidays were filled with fun, family and food! Are you hoping to eat healthier in the New Year?
 Markets will resume as always, at Helping Spirit Lodge & Orchard Park on the 2nd Saturday of each month and at Brant Villa and Culloden Court on the 3rd Saturday of each month.

Come check out our January Markets. This Saturday we will be at our usual spots.

Helping Spirit Lodge-
3965 Dumfries Street near Kingsway Ave (right across from the Rona on the West side)
We will be there from 10-12

Orchard Park-
5988 Nanaimo St near E. 45th Ave
We will be there from 2-4 (plus there is a tasting kitchen with some delicious recipes being made!)

Here is what we are hoping to have at this week's markets:

From BC:
Gala Apples
Beets
Red Nugget Potatoes

Organic:
Bananas

From Elsewhere:
Hosui Pears
Navel Oranges
Broccoli
Carrots
Baby Bok Choy

Please come down and check it out.

** In other news**

If you are interested in food security, and community health and development please come to our Community Engagement Meeting on February 1st from 6:30-8 held at the Kensington library.(Parking is available). Space is limited so please email me if you plan on attending at tlccfoodsecurity@gmail.com. It will be a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours, network with others and to provide some input into what's going on in your community.

 

Winter Markets: December 10th and 17th

Happy December Everyone! The holidays are right around the corner. I love this season: warm clothes, frosty weather, festive music, but most of all I love the food. I love holiday baking- breads, cookies and pies; hearty soups and warm winter salads.

We have two markets coming up this weekend, and thankfully we will be indoors at both locations. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to shop in a warm and fun environment for incredibly beautiful and affordable produce.

Tomorrow morning (Dec 10th) from 10-12pm, we will be set up at Helping Spirit Lodge on Dumfries, just off of Kingsway. We will be indoors, but you'll have to come through the back parking lot. Keep your eyes open for our directional signs and the TLCC awnings.

Later on in the afternoon from 2-4pm we will be set up at Orchard Park inside at the Nancy Styles Hall located at the corner of 45th and Nanaimo. Again, look out for the awning and our signs if you can't find your way. At this location we have the wonderful tasting kitchen! Our kitchen crew will be putting together some beautiful dishes for you to sample showcasing the produce that we will be selling at our market. The tasters alone are enough reason to leave your home and come down to the market!

Here is an idea of what we are hoping to have at this week's markets:


Organic: Celery
Navel Oranges
Bananas

From BC:
Anjou Pears
Apples (golden delicious or braeburn)
Beets
Brown Crimini Mushrooms

From Elsewhere:
Onions
Yams
Cauliflower
Cantaloupe
Asparagus
Carrots

Please come down and celebrate the season, the holidays and food with us this weekend. We hope to see you there!

November Updates

Happy November Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather we've had so far. Lots has been going on with the TLCC Network and we have exciting news! We have finally found ourselves a place to call home. In the new year, the Trout Lake/Cedar Cottage Food Security Network will be moving into the brand new Trout Lake Community Centre on Victoria Drive. Keep in touch to hear about the happenings at the community centre! We are hoping to have some really wonderful workshops around cooking, canning and gardening!

In other news, the markets are running this month on Saturday, November 12th and on Saturday, November 19th. This Saturday (the 12th), we will be at Helping Spirit Lodge (Dumfries and Kingsway in the parking lot)  from 10-12 and then at Orchard Park (41st and Nanaimo in the Nancy Styles Hall) from 2-4. There will be tasting kitchens so come by; sample some recipes and get inspired for Winter cooking.

Here is the list of goods we are expecting to have at this week's markets:
Local:
BC Gala Apples
BC Bosc Pears
BC Red Peppers
BC Winter Squash (butternut)

Organic:
Bananas from South America

From elsewhere:

Cantaloupes
Sweet Potatoes
Green Leaf Lettuce
Red Peppers
Broccoli

I hope to see you all there!  Have a great weekend.

October Updates

Hey Everyone! Happy Harvest Season! I love this season to enjoy delicious crisp BC apples, baked squash and mashed sweet potatoes! There is lots going on this month and for the fall season. Read on to find about food-related events happening within the community and around Vancouver and of course to check out what will be at this week’s markets, tasting kitchens and workshops!

At this week’s pocket markets:

This week’s markets are taking place at Helping Spirit Lodge (3965 Dumfries St-near Kingsway) from 10-12pm and at Orchard Park (5988 Nanaimo St-near 41st Ave) from 2-4pm. We’ll be having tasting kitchens at both of these locations and also a very special fall stew making workshop at Helping Spirit Lodge- email me if you are interested! It’s free and everyone is welcome! It’s a great way to learn about new ways to cook and integrate lots of different types of food into your diet!
email: tlccfoodsecurity@gmail.com

Here is what we are expecting to have at this week’s markets:

From BC:
Ambrosia Apples
Cauliflower
Romaine Lettuce
Spinach

Organic:
Baby Carrots- from Washington
Bananas- from South America

From Elsewhere:
Chinese Mandarins
Yams- from California
Black Plums-from California

Hope to see everyone out there. Remember if you haven’t yet bought tokens- you can buy them at Orchard Park, Brant Villa, Culloden Court, Helping Spirit Lodge, South Van Neighbourhood House, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House or the Warehouse. Also, cash sales are available at all the markets for a small mark-up. Open to everyone, come check it out!



Events and happenings for October


FALL STEW MAKING WORKSHOP

October 8th 10-12 at Helping Spirit Lodge

Engage in a hands-on- learning approach to cooking new things. This month’s workshop will feature learning how to make a fall harvest stew! Come check it out.

Contact Aja for more information:
604-816-6769
tlccfoodsecurity@gmail.com



COMMUNITY KITCHEN LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS

During this workshop you will have the opportunity to find out more about community kitchens, different ways a group can work and how you can lead or start a community kitchen. Learn the history of the community kitchen movement and the effect it has had around the province. Hear about the different kitchen models that run successfully in our communities. Experience a community kitchen first hand! Lunch will be provided.

Dates/Times: Choose from one of the following dates:
Thurs, Oct 13, 2011, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm, Thurs, June 7, 2011, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave.
Cost: $45.00 (lunch provided)
To register: Contact Darlene Tanaka, at 604-216-2325 or darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca or

FRUIT TREE HARVEST CELEBRATION AND FILM SCREENING OF THE “QUEEN OF THE SUN: WHAT THE BEES ARE TELLING US?”

The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project and the Grandview Woodland Food Connection invite you to an end of harvest celebration and special film screening. Come learn about our efforts to harvest urban fruit. Meet others interested in local food security. Information tables, door prizes, silent auction, snacks.

Film Screening: QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? (2011) examines the dire global bee crisis through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, scientists, farmers, and philosophers. This engaging, alarming and ultimately uplifting film weaves together a dramatic story that uncovers the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

Britannia Community Centre, Upstairs Canuck Family Education Centre (next to Grandview Park)
1661 Napier St
Friday October 14, 5 – 10pm. Film Screening 7pm
By donation
Information: 604-718-5895

FIRST STEPS TO PREVENTION

(Vancouver Coastal Health)- A fun and interactive prevention program for individuals at risk for chronic conditions who are ready to make Healthy Lifestyle Changes- including Healthy Eating!

Dates: Oct 20, Oct 27 and Nov3 – from 5:30-7:30 at South Community Health Centre (6405 Knight Street- Knight and 49th)

Call 604-267-4430 to register!



CHECK OUT THE SHARED HARVEST NEWSLETTERS

Shared Harvest Canada lets you find locally produced food or donate food to those in need. It's like an online farmers' market and food-bank rolled into one.

http://sharedharvestbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/shared-harvest-sept-2011-newsletter.html

September Updates- Pocket Markets are back

September Newsletter

New TLCC Food Security Coordinator

Hey everyone! I’m Aja Peterson, and I am the new TLCC Food Security Coordinator. As a member of this community, resident of this neighbourhood and lover of great fresh food I am excited to take on this position! I look forward to meeting all of you at the upcoming pocket markets this September. See you all then!

POCKET MARKETS ARE BACK! Fall Schedule: Dates and Locations

The TLCC’s mobile pocket markets will be back in full swing starting September 10th. Take advantage of the harvest season and grab some wonderful fresh produce at affordable prices. Watch for our tasting kitchens at Helping Spirit Lodge and Orchard Park! See you there.

When: 2nd Saturday of the month
Time: 10am-12noon
Market dates: Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10
Where: Helping Spirit Lodge, 3965 Dumfries Street near Kingsway Ave

When: 2nd Saturday of the month
Time: 2pm-4pm
Market dates: Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10
Where: Orchard Park, 5988 Nanaimo St near E. 41st Ave

When: 3rd Saturday of the month
Time: 10am-12noon
Market dates: Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17
Where: Brant Villa, 2290 E. 25th Ave near the Nanaimo SkyTrain Station

When: 3rd Saturday of the month
Time: 2pm-4pm
Market dates: Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17
Where: Culloden Court, 1375 E. 47th Ave near Knight Street

* Here’s what we are expecting for Saturday’s Market*

From BC:
Apples, Pears, Peaches, Broccoli, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Kale

From Elsewhere:
Avocados, Bananas

Upcoming events, workshops and information sessions:

Sept 9- Healthy Selves, Healthy Communities (program series)
Sept 10-8th Annual Corn Festival
Sept 16- UBC Farm’s 9th Annual FarmAde



HEALTHY SELVES, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES-AN INTERCULTURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM

When: Fridays 11:00am-12:30pm (10 sessions beginning Sept.09 and ending Nov.08)
Where: Little Mountain Neighbourhood House: 3981 Main Street (at 24th avenue and Main St).
What: Free health literacy program for newcomers and other community members. Includes free child minding, bus tickets, healthy snacks. Participants will receive a certificate of accomplishment and health manual. This program is a partnership between Little Mountain Neighbourhood House and BCIT Nursing Program, with funding from Vancouver Coastal Health.

Who it’s for: Newcomers and other community members wanting to learn how to live healthier lifestyles; increase their understanding of chronic diseases including stress and stress management; learn about nutrition and active living. Sessions are facilitated by trained nurses and staff. Program incorporates peer based focus groups, educational lessons, community building games and other activities. Learn different ways to manage health and wellness; Increase understanding of chronic disease and prevention; Learn about stress and stress management; Participate in health games, and activities, and presentations; Be involved in conversation and dialogue; Share experiences and learn from others; Approach health and wellness from a multicultural perspective

REGISTRATION is necessary. For more information or to register contact: Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Coordinator, Jennifer: 604-879-7104, ext. 315 or email: jennifer_wesman@Lmnhs.bc.ca

8th ANNUAL CORN FESTIVAL

Come and share in the Latin-American community’s corn harvest celebration. Free family fun! Enjoy a day of Latin-American art and entertainment and try delicious ethnic dishes like pupusas, tamales, tostadas and more. Check out the kid’s zone and the yearly “Queen of Corn” contest for girls.

Organized by CELSAN (Canada El Salvador Action Network) and CEBES (Comunidades Eclesiales de Base de El Salvador).

Saturday, September 10 Britannia Community Centre, Gym “D”, 1661 Napier Street.
11pm to 5pm.For information: José: 778-385-5394 or cornfestival2011@gmail.com

UBC FARM’S 9th ANNUAL FARMADE

Come on out to this free-admission, all-ages event to celebrate food, music and community at Vancouver's last working farm!
Please stay tuned for updates on our 9th annual event. This year, we're excited to feature:
- Family-friendly local bands
- Audience-participation square dancing!
- UBCimprov
- Belly dance performances
- Vegan, vegetarian and beef burgers
- Smoothies & juice from The Juice Caboose (organic, vegan, gluten free and soy free)
- Farm-fresh corn and organic UBC Farm veggies
- A beverage garden featuring handcrafted brew from East Van's Storm Brewing
- A supervised children's area with face painting, bubble wands and more!
- Free tours of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
- Free shuttle van and bicycle valet

March 2011 newsletter

This month's newsletter includes:
March 31 deadline: East Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants Project
March 25 and 26: Presentation and workshop on sustainable cities by Mark Lakeman
March 20: Potato Fusion, event
April 27: Earthquake preparedness workshop at the Roundhouse
March 19 & 20: Two gardening workshops presented by Grant Watson
Pocket Market 
Date: Saturday March 19th
Time: 10am-1pm
Address: 2290 E 25th Ave (just west of the Nanaimo SkyTrain station).
Map: 

Our monthly pocket market is on again this Saturday. The range of product this week will be,

LOCAL (BC)
Lettuce, living head, $1.30 each
Russet Potatoes, $1.00 per bag

ORGANIC
Hass Avocadoes, $1.30 each
Carrots, cello organic, $1.00 per bunch

NOT LOCAL or ORGANIC
Broccoli, $1.30 per bunch
Oranges, $0.30 each

See you there!

East Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants Project
How would you like to make your neighbourhood a better place?
Do you live in the Cedar Cottage, Frog Hollow or Kiwassa neighbourhoods?  Do you have great ideas to improve your neighbourhood or bring people together, but need a little support to help make them happen?

Then you might want to consider applying for a Neighbourhood Small Grant!

The Neighbourhood Small Grants Project is funded by the Vancouver Foundation to support residents to initiate activities in their communities for the benefit of local people. Groups of two or more neighbours can apply for a grant of $50 to $500 to work together on small projects that benefit their neighbourhoods socially, physically, culturally or environmentally. 
All kinds of projects can receive funding.  For example, you could paint a mural, plant a neighbourhood garden, teach a cooking or art class, put up a community bulletin board, celebrate a cultural holiday, put on a music recital, hold a dialogue or talking circle, organize a community clean up, write a neighbourhood cookbook or have a block party!

Deadline for submissions is March 31st, 2011
Decisions about which projects will be funded will be made by April 30th. For more information, tips, ideas for projects or to download the Application Form from the website: http://www.froghollow.bc.ca/neighbourhood_sub3.html

Mark Lakeman: Presentation and Workshop on sustainable cities
Portland City Repair co-founder, Mark Lakeman, brings lessons from one of America's greenest cities to Vancouver. Mark Lakeman is a co-founder of the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon and served as the Co-Director of Creative Vision from 1996 to 2008. City Repair is a multidisciplinary, non-profit organization, which works with place-based communities to creatively transform the infrastructure of the public commons where people live.

Whether converting street intersections into public squares, or organizing other forms of permanent or ephemeral place interventions, City Repair is effectively engaging citizens in the reinvention of the public landscape. All of these projects are ecological in emphasis, using natural building and Permaculture techniques. City Repair projects are underway in dozens of cities in the USA and Canada.

Mark is also the principal of Communitecture, a private design firm specializing in ecological building and planning projects at many scales. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Southeast Uplift, Portland's proactive neighborhood coalition that is undertaking numerous initiatives to remake the civic landscape.

The Village Lives
Mark Lakeman, offers an inspirational and cutting edge model for how cities can develop sustainably, powered by people at the neighbourhood level. Mark’s presentation The Village Lives provides numerous examples of urban Permaculture initiatives that are inspiring transformation across the social and political spectrum of Portland.

Mark will emphasize the benefits of broadly activated citizen vision and participation in the development of a truly sustainable culture. Mark’s presentations includes an overview of unsustainable cultural patterns, followed by examples of how urban spaces can be transformed into vital social and ecological commons.

Date: Friday, March 25
Time: 7:30 pm -  9:30 pm
Location: W2 Storyeum,
Address: 151 West Cordova, Vancouver, BC

‘Eco-Dreaming Vancouver’
Workshop with Portland’s City Repair Co-Founder Mark Lakeman and Power of Hope's creative facilitators Rup Sidhu and Sara Dent, along with Village Vancouver members, will offer a day of community building focused on how City Repair processes can be applied in Vancouver. Participants will build community, look at our city on a neighbourhood by neighbourhood basis, and learn about intersection and block repair processes.

Date: Saturday, March 26th, 2011
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm,
Location: W2 Storyeum,
Address: 151 West Cordova, Vancouver, BC
Registration: http://ecodreamingvancouver.eventbrite.com

Event Supporters
Thanks to the City of Vancouver Sustainability Group for their support of the event and Car Free Vancouver! In association with W2 Storyeum. People powered by: Village Vancouver, Power of Hope, Community Arts Council of Vancouver.

Event: Potato Fusion
The World In A Garden will be hosting the Second Annual Potato Fusion event, where we will plant highly nutritious organic potatoes & lettuce in used burlap coffee sacs! All proceeds will be donated to The World In A Garden & Project Somos, an eco-village for abandoned and orphaned children in Guatemala.

Date: Sunday, March 20th
Time: 11am or 1pm
Location: West 57th & East Blvd. (across the street from Choices)
To register: Contact Alicia Baddorf via phone 604.257.5151 ext. 213 or by email abaddorf@jfsa.ca
www.theworldinagarden.com

Earthquake preparedness
We have all witnessed the recent earthquakes in Japan and have seen first hand the devastation they cause. Living in Vancouver, we too could be faced with a major earthquake, yet few of us have taken the necessary steps to ensure we and our families are prepared. This session will teach you how to be prepared for any emergency or disaster you may be faced with. You will learn personal and family preparedness, how to develop a family emergency plan, how to perform a home hazard hunt and how to prepare for your pets. Cost: Free

Location: Roundhouse Community Centre - 181 Roundhouse Mews
Date: Apr 27, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Registration Information: Phone: 604-713-1800

Gardening workshops
Grant Watson is teaching a series of gardening workshops this weekend. Go to www.gourmetgardens.ca/workshops/

Intensive Urban Microfarming
Date: Saturday March 19
Time:  12:30-3:30 pm
Location: Strathcona Community Centre
Address:  601 Keefer Street
Registration: Call Strathcona Community Centre at 604-713-1838
http://www.gourmetgardens.ca/intensive-urban-microfarming/

Food Crops: Selection & Care
Date: Sunday March 20
Time:  2 – 5 pm
Address: 2478 E 23 Ave
http://www.gourmetgardens.ca/workshops/food-crops-selection-care/
 
You can contact Grant Watson at 778.869.4060.
Visit his website at, www.gourmetgardens.ca

Talk Green Vancouver potluck on Wed. Feb 16

TLCC Newsletter, February 2011
This month's newsletter includes:

• Talk Green Vancouver neighbourhood potluck in Cedar Cottage
• Information about a new seed saving collective in Cedar Cottage
• News about the first ever House of Commons debate on genetic engineering and what you can do to support it
• Two local food related job postings

TLCC's next Pocket Market!
Date: Saturday February 19th
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: 2290 E 25th Ave (Just west of the Nanaimo SkyTrain station.
Map: TLCC Pocket Market location

The TLCC Pocket market has great prices as always on organic or local produce. Shop and save while supporting access to healthy foods for those who have low income! The Pocket Market Coupon model has worked so well that it will be used as part of a food security program run by South Vancouver Neighbourhood House for residents in their area.

Please drop by on the 19th!

Talk Green Vancouver Potluck Invite
Join your friends and neighbours for a community potluck and Greenest City conversation!

TLCC and Talk Green Vancouver (the City of  Vancouver's Greenest City initiative) invite you to share a meal, share some great conversation and share your ideas about Vancouver’s plan to become the Greenest City in the world by 2020. It’s going to take actions – small and large – from the whole city to achieve the vision of a bright green future for our city and our planet. Thousands of residents contributed to creating 10 draft action plans. Find out what’s in them, add your feedback and share ideas with your neighbours about how you can help create the greenest city in the world.

Please bring food to share, serving plate and spoon as well as a plate, fork, knife etc for yourself. We will have access to the kitchen to heat things up if necessary.

Join us and talk green!
Date: Wednesday Feb 16th
Time: 7:00 to 9:00pm
Location: Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, 4065 Victoria Drive

Give your input to the draft Greenest City plans and find out how you can get involved at www.talkgreenvancouver.ca

Cedar Cottage Seed Saving Collective
A new group has formed through Village Vancouver in Cedar Cottage that will focus on seed saving in our neighbourhood. They are interested in creating a local source of seeds as a way to address global pressures from the patenting of seeds, genetic modification and climate change. They are looking for others who have experience with growing and seed saving using natural "organic" growing methods to join the collective.

Their next meeting is, a vegetarian potluck is on:
Date:Sunday Feb, 6th
Time: 10am -noon
RSVP: www.villagevancouver.ca/events please RSVP through the Village Vancouver site.

email: ccseedsavingcollective@gmail.com
blog:  ccseedsavers.wordpress.com

House of Commons debate on genetically engineered seeds
Victory for Canada on Genetic Engineering! Unprecedented debate on Bill C-474, February 8.The actions of Canadians like you are working! Despite biotech industry attempts to shut down debate, on December 1st in the House of Commons, the New Democratic Party secured a new 5-hour debate on Bill C-474 and the impacts of genetic engineering for February 8. Bill C-474 would support Canadian farmers by requiring that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.” If the Bill is passed this February it would stop GE wheat and GE alfalfa. The final vote on Bill C-474 will happen on February 9th in the House of Commons and there will be a 5-hour debate the day before! This type of debate on genetic engineering in the House of Commons has never happened before! Now every MP will have a chance to participate in the debate on Bill C-474.

Watch the video on Bill C-474: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH9NwvrVh3U

Actions before Feb 9th to support Canadian farmers:
Email your Member of Parliament to ask them to support the Bill and speak up in the debate – you can send your letter instantly from http://www.cban.ca/474action

Jobs in Local Food

PART-TIME COORDINATOR:  FARM TO SCHOOL COORDINATOR, GREATER VANCOUVER AREA
The Public Health Association of British Columbia in conjunction with their partners at Vancouver Coastal Health, the Vancouver School Board, the Richmond School Board and the University of British Columbia’s Eat&Think Green@School Initiative are pleased to announce that they have received a grant from Vancity enviroFund to increase the amount of local food served in five schools in the Richmond, Vancouver and West Vancouver area.

The  Group, the Greater Vancouver Farm to School Committee, seek the services of a Farm to School Coordinator The one year part-time coordinator will be responsible for sourcing local foods and farms for schools and developing agreements with farmers to grow foods for 5 schools. Details are outlined in job description at
http://communitykitchens.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/feb14-farm_to_school_coordinator_jd_vancouverregion.pdf.

Interested applicants must email their resume and cover letter to Sarah Carten, sarah.carten@vch.ca by noon on Monday, February 14th, 2011.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Carten, (604) 675-3988 x 20340, sarah.carten@vch.ca
APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Monday, February 14th, 2011.


FARMFOLK/CITYFOLK LOWER MAINLAND FEAST OF FIELDS COORDINATOR
For job description and details on how to apply, visit the FarmFolk/CityFolk website at: http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/about_us/get_involved.html

CONTRACT DATES:  April 1, 2011 to October 31, 2011
LOCATION:  Vancouver, BC
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15.

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That's it for this month.

Erin
blog: tlccfoodsecurity@blogspot.com

Trout Lake Cedar Cottage Food Security Network newsletter for November 2010

A few people have asked how far their money can go at TLCC's monthly Pocket Market. In the photo you see what $10.40 in cash (or 8 Pocket Market Coupons) was able to purchase at the last Pocket Market held on Nov 14th. We think it's a great deal!

Local organic: Swiss chard

Non local, organic: Bananas

Local non-organic: Gala apples, russet potatoes, beets, peppers, tomatoes and carrots

Low income, Pocket Market Coupon participants buy 8 coupons for $8.00. TLCC then buys local and/or organic produce at a wholesaler and passes these savings on to coupon holders. Cash sales have a small mark-up over wholesale prices. Profits from these cash sales go to support the program.

In October, TLCC asked you what you'd like to see more of in 2011. Overwhelmingly, members chose workshops. Sometime between February and the end of March we will be hosting 2 workshops, 1. Growing mushrooms, 2. Drying fruit and vegetables. I am looking for workshop facilitators. If you or someone you know has the skills, knowledge and appetite to give a workshop on these topics, let me know!

Next TLCC Pocket Market:
Day: Sunday, December 5th
Time: 10am to 1pm
Place: 2290 E 25th Ave, just west of the Nanaimo SkyTrain Station
Link: Map to Pocket Market
Link: December winter food calendar "wallpaper" for your computer


Here's a summary of this month's newsletter:

1. Bella Coola Flood - Farm Fundraiser Film Event
2. Evergreen Foundation, a chance to give back to a really great organization
3. Community Kitchen Leadership Workshop
4. Permaculture Design and Community Resilience Workshop

Bella Coola Flood - Farm Fundraiser & Film Event
Day: Tues, Dec 7,
Time: 6pm
Place: Britannia Community Centre - Canuck's Family Education Centre (Upstairs Eastside Family Place)
Cost: $10, Silent Auction, food

Bella Coola farmers were recently hit by sever floods. Due to the realities of the agriculture industry the Bella Coola farmers work off the farm to make ends meet and are thus ineligible for Provincial Emergency Assistance. These farmers are key players in regenerating their local food system and in increasing the community's access to high quality local produce. The community lost over 270 tons of winter feed, livestock, fencing, equipment, tools, heritage seeds, heritage fruit trees, corrals and paddocks, barns, market gardens, pasture, and acreage washed down the river. We depend on our farmers for our food and they are appealing for our help.

Grandview Woodland Food Connection, FarmFolkCityFolk, Discovery Organics presents
Film: Mammalian, Canada, 2010
Day: Tues, Dec 7
Time: 6:30 - 7:30pm

Frank Wolf and Taku Hokoyama strike out on a 2,000 km Arctic canoe journey through the largest wilderness area in North America. With a sense of humour and purpose, they track down politicians, First Nation chiefs, elders and others living in the few communities that frame the wilderness in order to present a clear picture of the area and the issues that face the land and its people.

• Official Entry - Vancouver Film Festival, 2010

Film: Force of Nature, Canada, 2010
Day: Tues, Dec 7
Time: 8 - 9:30pm
(Please note: Film change. Wasteland cannot be screened at this time)

The film interweaves the Force of Nature lecture with scenes from Suzuki's life and lifetime – the major social, scientific, cultural and political events of the past 70 years.

In this biography of ideas, Suzuki articulates a core, urgent message: We have exhausted the limits of the biosphere and it is imperative that we rethink our relationship with the natural world. He looks unflinchingly at the strains on the interconnected web of life and offers up a blueprint for sustainability and survival.

Evergreen Foundation, a chance to give back to a great organization
You may have seen the amazing work being done by members and volunteers of the Cedar Cottage Garden. This was in part funded by the Evergreen Foundation through their Walmart Grant.

Evergreen has submitted a project called Nature Playground to the Aviva Community Fund and they need you to help them succeed. Nature Playground will provide the opportunity for children to connect with nature at Evergreen Brick Works in the best way possible: through food, play and hands-on learning. For more information about Evergreen Brick Works, please follow this link: http://ebw.evergreen.ca/

Help children connect with, play in and learn from nature by voting daily and telling your friends.
The way the fund works is that Nature Playground is competing with other projects through an online competition to make it to the final round of judging. Show your support for Evergreen and the Nature Playground by voting here: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf9748


Community Kitchen Leadership Workshop
Day: Thurs, Dec 2, 2010
Time: 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave.
Cost: $45.00 (lunch provided).
To register: Contact Darlene Tanaka, at 604-216-2325 or darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca
or complete and email the Community Kitchen Leadership Workshop Registration Form to Darlene.

For those of you who are interested in attending but must travel over 100km to get to Vancouver, travel and accommodation subsidies are available. For more information, see their subsidy application form.

During the leadership workshop you will have the opportunity to find out more about community kitchens, different ways a group can work and how you can lead or start a community kitchen. Learn the history of the community kitchen movement and the effect it has had around the province. Hear about the different kitchen models that run successfully in our communities. Experience a community kitchen first hand! Lunch will be provided. See their poster and share it in you community.

Please note: Payment required upon registration. Cancellations must be done at the latest, 72 hours before. No refunds for no-shows. The workshop may be rescheduled if registration numbers are not met.

Permaculture Design and Community Resilience
Saturday November 27th 9 - 5 and,
Sunday the November 28th 9 - noon
Cost: $100 / $50 students and seniors / scholarships available; no one turned away for lack of funds.
To register: Strathcona Community Centre 604.713.1838 (course no. 46500.401ST)
For scholarship or general information: Erin Innes erininnes@gmail.com or Ross Moster ross@villagevancouver.ca or visit www.villagevancouver.ca
Free public Post Carbon Visioning event to follow from 1-5

About the Workshop:
Learn how the fundamentals of Permaculture design can come out of the garden and into all aspects of our lives and community! This two-day workshop will show you the tools that Permaculture has to offer to redesign our social and cultural landscape for a localized, low-energy future. From our personal frustrations and fears to the global challenges we all share, this workshop is your chance to engage your head, heart, and hands in creating a more resilient and participatory response to peak oil, climate change, and energy descent.

What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a system of tools, strategies, and methodologies for designing human systems that function like natural systems. Permaculture presents a way of understanding and taking action in the world that allows us to create a "permanent culture," from farming to economics to education, that is sustainable indefinitely and that becomes more abundant with time.

What is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability of a system -- an ecosystem, an economic system, a culture -- to withstand shocks, stresses, and upheavals, to evolve and adapt without losing its basic cohesion and form.

Eat well and eat local.