What’s Growing On Blog
Check back here regularly for updates on various events that we’ve attended, exciting opportunities we’ve encountered, and news that we think needs to be shared.
2012 Advancing Urban Agriculture Grants
~ March 9th, 2012
Vancouver Coastal Health North Shore is pleased to announce Advancing Urban Agriculture Grants for 2012. Deadline for Application, March 9th 2012.
These grants (up to $2,000) aim to increase food security for all members of the North Shore community while specifically working to improve access to healthy foods for people with low income. The goal of this program is to advance urban agriculture on the North Shore.
Projects may request funding for various aspects of urban agriculture. This year, initiatives that are related to the priorities that arose from Table Matters: A Community Discussion about Food Security meeting will be priorities. The priority areas are: residential food production, agricultural education for adults (mentoring) and children, urban farms, marketing local/regional food, and food recovery.
Eligible Activities:
Developmental activities including building your group’s capacity to do food gardening or creating a food garden on a communally owned piece of land (private or public).
Food security strategies including developing connections between grassroots organizations and city councils, pursue a “Farm to School” initiative, develop a venue for food exchange or mini-farmer’s market, increase number of community ambassadors who are lay educators, or start a 4H Club.
Food security policy development supporting new policy or policy change, and/or alignment of policies in an organization, related to food security and food gardening. For example, your interest group may work with your organization, municipal environment committee or others to advocate for allocation of land for a community garden.
Eligibility:
Community non-profit organizations and formal and informal community groups (e.g., Strata building residents, neighbourhood residents, Blockwatch groups, churches, schools, preschools etc.) All applications will be considered.
To Apply:
Application Form Microsoft Word / PDF
Additional Application Questions for Schools
For more information please contact Margaret Broughton, Community Nutritionist, Vancouver Coastal Health. 604-904-6482
Community Consultation – Honey Bees at Loutet Farm
~ February 20th, 2012
We are considering installing two specially designed bear proof honey bee hives at Loutet Farm. We want the community’s opinion on this plan and are providing an opportunity to for people to share their concerns or support for the project as well as having questions answered.
The Community Consultation will be held on March 8th, 7pm at Brooksbank School (980 East 13th Street, North Vancouver). You can find all of the event information by clicking here.
Do our quick survey now to let us know if you support our plan to install two honey bee hives at Loutet Farm – click here!
In this post, you can find more information on what we are proposing, why we want honey bees at Loutet Farm, how we could manage pest/bear issues, and safety concerns.
Why have bees at Loutet Farm?
Honeybees around the world have been facing increasing pressures and have been dying off at an alarming rate. As a species that we rely on for the pollination food crops, we are looking to support the species locally. Many believe that they are thriving in urban spaces even while they struggle elsewhere. Plus, they’ll be great pollinators for Loutet Farm, and will provide us the opportunity to sell honey to those in the neighbourhood!
The Proposal:
We are proposing to have two honey bee hives located at Loutet Farm. This small apiary will be fenced and will be “bear proofed” (see below for details). The specially designed hives will be extra secure to deter vandalism as well. The hives will be oriented to the south so the honeybee flight path does not cross the public walking path, and is directed away from the Loutet playing fields – through careful design and placement, we will be able to minimize human/bee interactions.
Map of the location of the apiary
"Bear-proof" cages to ensure safety of the hives.
Risk Management:
Queen Mary Community Garden Hives
The hives will be managed by Ric Ericson, a north shore beekeeper, who also manages the hives located in the Queen Mary Community Garden (these successful hives are situated in a public area, also adjacent to an elementary school and there have been no stings or problems!). Ric will be able to respond quickly to any reported problems with the hives, and will ensure that they are healthy and productive. Ric is currently coordinating a ‘Bee Guardian’ program at the neighbouring Brooksbank Elementary School. These hives would further support that educational program. Visit www.beefriendly.ca for more information on his current projects.
Stings and Safety
The vast majority of insect stings thought to be by honeybees are actually wasps mistaken for honeybees because of their similar yellow and black stripes. Honeybees will not sting unless they feel physically threatened (their barbed stingers mean honeybees can only sting once, once they sting, they die soon afterward – this means they don’t tend to sting for fun!) – disturbing the hive, blowing on a honeybee (they associate the CO2 of your breath with that of other predators) or squishing them can make them feel threatened. They will not defend a flower or field – only their hive. In contrast, wasps are more agressive and may sting while scavenging for food (i.e. your picnic lunch!). Wasps can sting repeatedly and do not die after stinging, so are more likely to sting more frequently. If you are stung by an insect, here is some useful infomation on stings.
Bears (and vandals)
We plan to do two things to reduce the risk of attracting bears due to the hives:
- Build steel cage frames to “bear-proof” the hives (this will make them difficult to vandalize also).
- Remove the bee colonies from the farm during the months of highest bear activity in the area (September – November).
As Loutet Farm is located in an urban location in North Vancouver, most black bear sightings (that we are aware of) occur in September, October, and November. To avoid the bear’s interest in the Loutet Farm honey bee hives, we propose to remove the bee colonies in August after harvesting the honey, and move them to a different location. The colonies could be returned in the Spring each year, and still provide plenty of opportunities for community engagement activities, and learning opportunities for the Bee Guardian Students at Brooksbank Elementary, as well as be of benefit the farm with the increased pollination and annual honey sales.
By removing the bees when bears are most active in the area, we reduce the risk of those bears coming back repeatedly as we have removed one of the attractants in the area.
In addition to removing the bees during the bear-season, we will also build steel frame structures around the hives to ensure that they are “bear-proof”. This will both act as a deterrent to the bears because they will not be able to access the hives and honey, and it will ensure that the hives are not damaged.
Swarming
Honeybee Swarm (on fencepost) - nothing to fear!
Occasionally, when quarters are cramped, and a colony is looking to reproduce, honeybees will swarm – though this can be alarming (because of the sheer number of bees) this is actually when honeybees are at their most docile. With a simple call to the beekeeper, the swarm can be captured and re-established. A swarm at the Queen Mary Community Garden led to a fabulous opportunity to observe honeybees close up – here you can see Kahya and Bita gently handling bees from a swarm.
Questions?
If you’ve got questions, concerns or would like more information, please contact: info@ediblegardenproject.com, 604-987-8138 ext. 231
Chickens in North Vancouver
~ February 17th, 2012
I pulled on my gum boots this morning and walked out my back door across the yard to the corner of our lot where my chickens clucked impatiently for their morning treats. A few years ago this would have been considered illegal, but lucky for me Vancouver’s City Council passed an amendment to a bylaw that now allows city dwellers to raise a few hens in their back yard for eggs. Now there is a group of North Vancouver residents seeking similar changes to by-laws on the North Shore.
My chickens
“We believe backyard hens to be a positive change for the community, adding variety and value to our urban landscape, while reflecting the City and District of North Vancouver’s sustainable living and environmental mandates.” – Chickens in North Vancouver
I love my chickens, and my neighbours love their eggs! I’m excited to see a group on the North Shore working on this idea.
If you’re interested in learning more about why chickens in the city is a good idea, or how to get involved, you can visit their website: http://www.chickensinnorthvancouver.wordpress.com
Have an egg-celent day!
The real cost of fast food
~ January 10th, 2012
It is considered common knowledge that junk food is cheaper than fresh food. This ‘fact’ is the reason that poor communities tend towards McDonalds rather than grocery stores and get their calories from fries, not fruits. It has legitimized the over-consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient food in poor communities across North America. So why has Mark Bittman of the New York Times, among others, challenged this truism?
Bittman has calculated that for a family of four to eat at McDonalds, the all-in cost is $28 (feasibly reduced to $23 if judicial ordering is exercised). Comparatively, the same family can eat a chicken dinner with vegetables, a simple salad, and milk for a mere $14.
He doesn’t pretend that a family dependent on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (which grants approximately $5 per person, per day), will be able to afford free-range chickens from their local butcher. His argument is based on nutrition, rather than ideal food choices, and the fact that nearly every American can afford real food. The limiting factor to good eating is not cost, but rather convenience.
At this point, Tom Philpott of Mother Jones, points out a flaw in the argument. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for an American is $16.27. Assuming the process of putting food on the table and cleaning up afterwards takes 2 hours, that labor cost is about $32. Suddenly, the aforementioned chicken dinner costs $46 – a far cry from Micky D’s burgers.
Cooking as a lifestyle choice
Beyond the “ubiquity, convenience, and habit-forming appeal of hyper-processed food” is the notion that cooking is work. That the time spent shopping for, preparing, and cleaning up a meal is time better spent at leisure activities. Regardless of annual income, the average American spends no less than 1.5 hours per day watching TV. So it has to be inferred that the time to eat properly is there, but not being harnessed.
And thus, the reason for Bittman’s article: the only way to change how people eat is to alter the perceived cost of a meal. Encourage them to see cooking as a joy rather than a burden, or at least part of a normal life. Conversely, understand that what’s sold under those golden arches isn’t real food; its prices reflect that.
What it will take to change eating habits
The shift will have to include both cultural and political motivators. Changing how someone feels about their food, celebrating what’s real, and raising children in homes that reject fast-produced, low-nutrition junk – those are the cultural moves. Political action would be much more difficult. It requires applying limits to the marketing of junk, forcing companies to pay the true costs of production (not reduced wages for mindless operation of a cooking machine), and making sure real food is available and affordable (even in rural communities and to people without cars).
Slow Food USA has imposed a $5 challenge. For the same cost as fast-food, SF proposes that anyone can cook and healthy and easy meal. A community has been created where those who have tips and tricks can share them, and those new to the concept can learn. It is a movement to create “more enlightened eaters and more engaged citizens.” While it may be a small step, it’s one in the right direction. Get involved at Slow Food USA.
Start a Food Revolution – All Aboard!
~ January 6th, 2012
The Edible Garden Project’s biggest year of growth ever is coming to a close. Nestled snug for winter, visions of garden beds dance in our heads. We’re going to keep saying it because it is so true, but we couldn’t have done this year without you.
You know how exciting our collective work is, how much we’ve accomplished, and how much there is still to move ahead.
We want Loutet Farm to flourish, our EGP Sharing Gardens to feed those in need and foster food growing skills in our community, our municipal policy work to take root, every kid on the north shore to exclaim that kale chips are their favourite snack, and for unlikely spaces to become alive with fresh vegetables and connections.
Growing Gardens, Growing Community
Our goal is to sign up 100 people for monthly donations of $5 (just $60 for the year). That would mean a whopping $500 coming into the EGP each month that we can use to:
- build garden infrastructure – think worm composters, native bee boxes, and educational signage
- plant and design two incredible food forests – featuring perennial edible plants, berries, and fruit trees
- teach kids how to grow food and eat healthy snacks!
- get seed, seedlings, and gardening workshops to the people in our community that need them most
- grow the network, spread the word, and get all you amazing people together to celebrate
All our Monthly Donors will recieve invitations to special events, a sneak peek and advance registration for GardenSmart workshops and EGP training sessions, and a quarterly update on how your contribution has made a difference in our community.
All donors will receive a charitable tax receipt from the North Shore Neighbourhood House – please make sure that you indicate “Edible Garden Project” in the Fund Designation box. Cheques should be made payable to the North Shore Neighbourhood House
Pass this along to friends and family – we need everyone on board!
With your support we can sprout a food revolution,
Heather & Emily
Fed Up – Kids, Gardens, & Kale Chips
~ December 21st, 2011
Fed Up?
Many parents, educators, and even students would say they’re fed up with the lack of nutritious food and food education in our public school system. Along with many other organizations in the Lower Mainland the Edible Garden Project (EGP) is working to turn that around. We’re bringing students from kindergarten to grade 7 out of the classroom and into the garden to learn the cycles of food production from seed to soil. Our students grow food, harvest it, prepare it, and enjoy it – they’re “Fed Up” and into previously out of reach world of nutritious fresh food.
Our Students Love Kale
It may seem crazy, but it is true: our students love kale. Our students are engaged and getting their hands dirty in every step of the process. They choose the vegetables we grow, they sow the seeds, maintain the plots (with the help of amazing volunteers) and pick the fruits of their labour. Their curiosity is sparked through this process and they are excited and willing to try foods they may have once turned their noses up at. Kale is a perfect example; it has a reputation almost as bad as brussel sprouts, but bake it into a “chip” and you’ve got a gourmet healthy snack that disappears in an instant! We’re changing the relationship that students have with their food, and it makes a difference.
Many of the students that we work with don’t have the opportunity to cook with their families’ at home, rely on take out and fast food, and are totally disconnected to where their food comes from. They’re eager and excited to learn and soak in the experiences we offer in Fed Up, and they’re taking that enthusiasm and recipes home.
Expanding Fed Up to Childcare Centres
Last week we received the exciting news that our Fed Up program was awarded funding for 2012 from the United Way Building Stronger Community Food Security Grant. The grant will help us expand the Fed Up program in 2012 to four of the North Shore Neighbourhood House childcare centres. Over 50% of the children attending these childcare centres are from low income families, and they range from ages 0-12 years old. Fed Up will help these children achieve better health outcomes and build strong healthy habits over the long term.
Friends of Fed Up – How You Can Get Involved
One of the cornerstones to all the work that the EGP does is community involvement, and Fed Up is no exception. We would not be able to offer this high quality of programming if we did not have the community contributing their expertise and passions. There are many different ways you can contribute to Fed Up, and we’re happy to chat with you about what works best for you. You could: share your favourite healthy recipe, help students grow food, share your food preparation/cooking skills with students, assist us in building the new childcare garden plots, donate money for supplies or staff time, and more.
Fed Up kicks off in February for the 2012 season, and we would love to have you involved! Here is some more information on volunteering with the EGP, and a description how you can get involved in Fed Up:
Inspire school children to explore in the garden, learn how to grow fresh food, and make nutritious snacks to share with their family. The Edible Garden Project’s “Fed Up” program delivers interactive educational opportunities for children in elementary school and childcare centres. Our elementary and childcare programs run on different schedules. Friends of Fed Up volunteers will receive training, enjoy a fun and supportive environment, and work on small teams with students and educators. We’re seeking volunteers available on the first Friday of every month from February to June 2012 for Fed Up in elementary schools. The schedule for childcare centres will begin in the Spring as we build new garden plots. Contact Emily if you are interested in joining the team - emily@ediblegardenproject.com
Ban Cosmetic Chemical Pesticides in BC
~ November 17th, 2011
The Edible Garden Project grows food without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in all of our Sharing Gardens and at Loutet Farm. As we encourage North Shore residents to build gardens in their yards we are also decreasing the amount of “lawn space”, and hopefully spreading awareness about the harmful impacts of the chemical pesticide use has on our waterways, bees and pollinators, and people.
Now there is a growing number of people and organizations in British Columbia calling on the government to bring in a “strong law that protects our families, pets and environment from the unnecessary use of chemical pesticides…read more.“
What is a cosmetic pesticide?
According to The Lung Association, “cosmetic pesticides are chemical or biological substances used to destroy living things such as: insects (insecticides), plants (herbicides), and fungi (fungicides) for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of a lawn or garden. They are sold commonly as sprays, liquids, powders or combined with chemical fertilizers.” Read more on the health impacts of cosmetic pesticides on the Lung Association’s website.
Are there alternatives to cosmetic pesticides?
Yes! There are lots of ways to reduce pests and weeds. I really like this easy to read table of alternatives. Please share your own alternatives by leaving a comment below!
What would the ban on cosmetic pesticides do?
It would ban both the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides.
What can I do to support the ban on cosmetic pesticides?
You can help spread the message and share your support for a ban by answering this survey, sending an email, or submitting a video. Organizing for Change is leading the charge, and has all the information you need to make an informed impact on this important ban on cosmetic chemical pesticides. Or use this template letter from the David Suzuki Foundation to demand a ban on cosmetic pesticide use.
*Photo credit: greenwalksblog on Flikr
My Burger Was Born in a Petri Dish
~ November 15th, 2011
It may sound outlandish to try and conceive of animals being grown in parts strictly for the purpose of consumption. It may sound obscene to think the leftovers from a slaughterhouse have the necessary stem cells to be reproduced into edible muscle tissue. Maybe it’s ridiculous, but maybe it’s the future of your dinner.
Last week, Mark Post, a biomedical engineering scientist from the Netherlands, announced that he had successfully grown muscle tissue from discarded animal products. A combination of sugars, amino acids, lipids, and other nutrients “feed” proteins and encourage them to grow. The result, so far, is a thin, inch-long strip (3,000 of which would be required to make a hamburger patty).
Not quite edible “meat”
Right now the meat product is a little unappetizing. It lacks both fat and blood, so it doesn’t taste like much and looks like a lump of scallop meat. People aren’t likely to be racing to the grocery store for it just yet. However, Post is optimistic that the ability to control all variables in the lab will not only allow him to create something tasty, but also healthier than traditional meat sources (without saturated fat and with extra nutrients).
Unlike imitation meats currently on the market (made from vegetable proteins or soy), in-vitro meat is a real animal flesh product – it’s just never been part of a complete, living animal.
How much is in-vitro meat going to cost?
The first hamburger is expected to carry the lofty price tag of $345,000. Don’t think that’s reasonable for a quick week-night dinner? Don’t worry. Post says “the first one will be a proof of concept, just to show it’s possible… [it] will be grown in an academic lab by highly trained staff. It’s handmade and it’s time- and labour-intensive. That’s why it’s so expensive.”
Whatever the initial costs, the concept of growing meat in labs might be worth its weight in gold. According to the World Health Organization, global meat consumption is expected to increase from 218 million tons in 1997-99 to 376 million tons in 2030. Not sustainable.
Of course some people will be against the whole concept. It’s weird and hard for anyone to wrap their head around. Hard also, though, to argue with the fact that growing in-vitro meats would use 35-60 percent less energy, emit 85-90 percent less greenhouse gas and use about 98 percent less land than traditional agriculture (source: Hanna Tuomisto, Environmental Science and Technology journal). In addition, lab-grown meat will have none of the diseases, impurities, or contaminants found in livestock, such as Mad Cow Disease.
If protein choices come down to lentils or man-made meat, I have a sneaking suspicion that the baconoholics will be the first to cave, but many others will be close behind.
All Candidates Survey – Urban Agriculture & Food Security
~ November 14th, 2011
Last week we sent out a survey to all the candidates on urban agriculture and food security, and we’re sharing their responses below. Candidates from the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Bowen Island were contacted – please scroll down to find your municipality.
Although the survey responses offer a quick look at where candidates stand, we also suggest you read their written responses. We have also provided PDF files of all of the responses that you can also download for easy viewing on your desktop.
City of North Vancouver
District of North Vancouver
West Vancouver
Bowen Island
Aquaponics: feeding fish (and us)!
~ November 3rd, 2011
Sometime this month the world will hit 7 billion people. It’s impossible to know when exactly, as so many societies don’t maintain birth records. All of those people have to eat something, but there are a lot of factors working against filling 7 billion plates.
The two biggest challenges are those of space and water – there just isn’t enough of either. As it stands right now, farm and ranch lands cover nearly 40 percent of Earth. The concern isn’t just in square meters though, it’s also in agricultural inputs and outputs.
Inputs:
- H2O: Agriculture consumes nearly ¾ of Earth’s available fresh water.
- Petroleum: In the form of fertilizer, mechanized farm processes, and transportation.
Outputs:
- Greenhouse gases: Overuse of fertilizers, clearing land, growing rice, and raising cattle are responsible for 35% of the single largest contributor of greenhouse gases.
- Animal feed: Approximately 40% of all crops are produced with the intent of being used as animal feed.
Now imagine a way to feed billions of people without the harsh demands on water and petroleum, using land that has previously been considered unsuitable for agriculture. I’m sure you’re imagining something spectacular and space-age, but I’m talking about aquaponics. I’m the first to admit that I gained most of my childhood knowledge from Disney and Pixar, but the sharks in Finding Nemo? They were definitely wrong. Fish are friends, and food.
How does aquaponics works?
It’s a closed system of fish and plant life that sustain each other with little human intervention. The plants act as a cleansing system to remove toxic ammonia and nitrite from the water by breaking fish excrement down into usable fertilizer. When the water is returned to the fish tank it is clean and toxin-free.
So it sounds like using giant tanks of water isn’t an effective way to cut down on water use in agriculture? Wrong! Compared to traditional methods of crop production, aquaponics uses about 10 times less water. Yes, there is the initial filling of the tanks, but after that the water is recycled within the system, thus making aquaponics the perfect solution for places with little water to spare.
Unlike the Scandinavians, here in North America we may not be ready for a diet based solely on tilapia (the most common fish used in aquaponics) and salad. There is still a lot of merit in the system, though. If every family were to establish their own aquaponic system (at a footprint of about 30 square feet) they could become completely self-sufficient in plant food. Eating your own fish is a definite option (so your basic nutrition is covered), but other forms of protein and specialty items would have to be sourced elsewhere.
I’m not advocating for the complete overhaul of the world’s agricultural systems. I am, however, in favour of re-examining farming methods where there is unsustainable stress on the land and advocating for ways that more people can be more in control of their food source. Aquaponics surely isn’t the only answer, but it is one to start thinking about.
Vote Because Food Matters!
~ November 1st, 2011
North Shore Municipal Elections Just Around the Corner - Saturday November 19th
Voter turn-out for municipal elections in North and West Vancouver historically are low (only 17.45% in City of North Vancouver in 2008), but if you’re part of the growing movement of people interested in urban agriculture and local food security then you may want to pay a little bit more attention during this election. Many of the projects and work that the Edible Garden Project does is closely linked to municipal policies and directions, so we know that it is important for our elected officials to understand food security issues and support initiatives to address these issues. As a non-partisan organization the Edible Garden Project won’t be telling you who to vote for, but we will strive to give you information on what candidates think about food issues.
From now until Election Day on November 19th, we will try to provide you with resources to help you make and informed decision. We can’t give you all the information about every candidate, but we can highlight candidates responses to our Municipal Urban Agriculture & Food Security survey, invite you to All Candidates Debates on food issues, and provide some tools for your own investigations!
Join the Debate!
We are partnering with EcoUrbia and the North Shore Table Matters Reference Group to host two All Candidates Meetings to discuss future directions of urban agriculture and food security:
City of North Vancouver
When: Saturday, November 5th, 4:00-5:30pm
Where: North Shore Neighbourhood House, Gymnasium - 225 East 2nd Street, North Vancouver
District of North Vancouver
When: Saturday, November 12th, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Lynn Valley Main Library, Community Meeting Room – 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Connect With Your Candidates on Issues
Sustain Ontario developed an Election Toolkit that has some great ideas for how you can connect with your candidates, and what sort of questions you can ask about local food issues. Download it now!
The BC Food Systems Network put together this great resource for people interested in food security in municipalities – Food Security: A Primer for Municipal and Regional Candidates.
Looking for more local information? Food Security for All: North Shore Food System Assessment and Community Food Action Plan developed by SPARC BC is a great resource!
For the bigger picture of food policy in Canada (including urban concerns), Resetting the Table: A People’s Food Policy for Canada provides a lot of great information.
Election Headquarters – Who, What, When, Where, and How
Table Matters 2011
~ October 28th, 2011
A North Shore Discussion about Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems
Presenting a networking and information sharing event intended to continue building our North Shore food system network. Opportunities to participate in food system and urban agriculture projects on the North Shore will be presented. Come make a connection!
Friday, October 28, 2011 1:00—5:30pm.
Registration opens at 12:30pm. To register, click here.
Chief Joe Mathias Centre (100 Capilano Road, North Vancouver)
Light refreshments will be served
There is lots of room for displays in the main conference area.
Please bring a display along and have it set up by 1:00pm.
- Hear local and regional project leaders give snapshot presentations on programs and projects. For a list of priority areas that were developed at last years event, click here.
- Listen to community leaders outline their challenges, strategies, and opportunities for volunteer and community collaboration – these presentations will be brief, informative and inspiring.
- Engage in round table discussions with these project leaders to examine their successes, issues and requests for participation – this is your chance to connect with others while sharing your expertise and learning valuable information about what’s going on in the region.
- Hear local Mayors and Aboriginal leaders engage in a panel discussion – municipal mayors from all 5 north shore municipalities will be attending. They will have a chance to share their work, and respond to your questions.
To hear what the North Shore News had to say about last year’s event, click here.
To Register, please visit: http://tablematters2011.eventbrite.com/ Space is limited.
Who should attend? Community members looking for ways to get involved, business leaders interested in opportunities for collaboration, teachers and students looking to deepen their learning, municipal staff and politicians who want to hear what is happening in the community. Anyone looking to learn, and willing to share their experiences.
Smack-dab in the middle of Non-GMO Month!
~ October 17th, 2011
You’ve missed it! It’s already half over! Which is really just an incentive to get yourself in gear. What is it you’ve missed? Non-GMO Month.
The reason you may have missed the memo is that this is the first year Non-GMO Month has graced Canada with its presence. And it’s not for lack of desire, but rather because the seal had to be bilingual before it could cross the border, and learning a second language takes time!
Non-GMO Month: the Offspring of the Non-GMO Project
The Project began in 2005 with the simple goal of establishing a standardized meaning of the term Non-GMO in the North American food industry. By doing so, the founders hoped to pass that information on to the consumer so that they could, in turn, make informed decisions about the products they bought. The project also serves to create a 3rd party verification system to asses product compliance with the standard. Although it was an endeavor started by two small organic food stores, the project has grown to include stakeholders with diverse interests: consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and farmers.
Why is going Non-GMO such a big deal?
There are mixed opinions on just how “evil” GMOs are; however, there is consensus on what they are. Interesting, then, that there’s no consensus on what they aren’t…
A GMO or “genetically modified organism” is a plant or animal that has been created using gene splicing technology. Unlike traditional crossbreeding, gene splicing uses DNA from a variety of species and the result is unstable. The claimed benefits of GMOs such as resistance to drought, higher yield, and enhanced nutrition can’t be substantiated. On the other hand, growing evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage, and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.
How you can get involved
This month is about awareness. Across North America, people are making the choice to buy non-GMO foods, but many people still don’t know where they can find such products. So, during the month of October, thousands of people will be creating and participating in events such as film screenings or pledging to choosing Non-GMO Project Verified foods – you can even create your own event and submit it to the website!
A couple of movies worth watching (and sharing with others):
- The Future of Food
- The World According to Monsanto
- Food, Inc.
We all have the right to know where our food comes from and exactly what we’re putting in our mouths. And since we all know that a communal voice is stronger than an individual’s, we all share equal responsibility in applying enough pressure to gain that knowledge.
As I said, it’s already half over! But we still have a chance to start a discussion and start thinking about the pros and cons of having fish DNA in our tomatoes.
For more info: www.nongmoproject.org
Inefficient Water Use
~ October 3rd, 2011
A water shortage wake-up call
As we barrel head-first into Vancouver’s rainy (sorry, rainiest) season, it’s hard to consider water shortage a problem. But according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the demand for water is severely out-weighing its supply.
Currently one third of the world’s population lives in an area where there isn’t enough water, or its quality has been compromised. By 2025 that number is expected to rise to two thirds. I’m going to go ahead and guess that Vancouver won’t be on that list.
Where did all the water go?
The answer: everywhere but your drinking glass. The average person drinks 2.5 litres of water per day, but requires 3000 litres to satisfy their daily needs.
Typically water scarcity has been limited to arid, developing countries, either due to a physical lack of water or institutional/
financial barriers to its access. But times they are a-changing. Currently, 70% of the world’s water consumption is in farming – and an increasing population and demand for a western (read: meat based) diet is putting stress on resources world-wide.
To put that logic in numerical terms: to produce 1 kilo of grain you need 1,500 L of water. Now let’s say you decide to eat meat instead of grain. Well, to get that same 1 kilo (this time of meat) you need 15,000 L of water. That’s 10x as much!! Water may be a renewable resource, but it’s also finite.
Let’s take a look at how much water is used to produce some grocery store items.
1 package of potato chips: 185 litres of water
1 apple: 70 litres of water
1 cup of tea: 35 litres of water
Lists always make statistics look more impressive, wouldn’t you say? I also find posters effective. The FAO recently came out with this campaign to highlight the role water plays in growing our food:
“Huge volumes of rain water are lost or never used” – Alain Vidal, Challenge Program on Water and Food
Some areas, like California or the Sahara, seriously do have a water shortage that makes agriculture difficult. Based on a collection of studies in the journal Water International, however, they’re the exception. Out of the world’s 10 most important river basins, lost of them have enough water for everyone.
So really, it’s not that we don’t have enough water. The trouble is in capturing and distributing that liquid sunshine; the network of
institutes call the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research is on it. Hopefully they work quickly.
Working in Schools – Fed Up
~ September 1st, 2011
Two years ago the Queen Mary Community Garden was built in North Vancouver. Included in the garden were four large plots dedicated to the students at Queen Mary Elementary School – right next door. The Edible Garden Project had been working with the students at Queen Mary Elementary for a number of years as part of our “Fed Up” program that focuses on growing food and healthy eating.
We partner with the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company to deliver activities and hands on healthy snack making in the classroom. Students get the opportunity to try out new and simple recipes made with ingredients straight from the garden.
Outside, students take part in planning, planting, and maintaining the garden plots for their classroom. We work with students from grade 3, 5, and 7. They each have a compost bucket in their classrooms that they empty in the garden composters. It’s a great way to learn about closing the loops between food waste and helping their garden grow.
Our Fed Up program is unfunded, which has made it difficult to dedicate the resources and time to the program to really make it grow! We would love to be able to offer Fed Up to more schools when we secure adequate funding. In particular, we are enthusiastic to offer our program at Brooksbank Elementary School because they’re located right beside our new Loutet Farm. Children at this elementary school will have the chance to explore, play and taste at the farm. Our ‘all season long’ programming will give them a taste of where food comes from, how it’s produced, why healthy food is so important. Plus, they’ll get to help real, live urban farmers at work!
We’re entered in the Nature’s Path Gardens for Good contest, offering three prizes totalling $65,000. You can vote every day from now until September 30th if you would like to support expanding our Fed Up program and Loutet Farm! VOTE NOW!
Women’s Carpentry Workshop Roundup
~ August 23rd, 2011
Learning how to make sure our door is square
A couple of weeks ago we hosted a weekend workshop – an introduction to carpentry for women. Kimi Hendess of Sweet Digz Urban Farm & Construction was our inspirational instructor.
The Project:
To build a tool shed for the new Charros Community Garden from foundation to roof in 2 days with 8 people that had rarely touched a serious power tool in their life. We had high hopes!
Unfortunately we faced a big delay on day one because there was a mix up with our wood order, so we didn’t actually end up as “finished” as we had hoped. However, this delay ended up being great because it gave us a chance to get really comfortable using a lot of different tools. Tools I had once categorized as ‘scary’ were ‘no big deal’ by the end of the day. I couldn’t have asked for a better learning environment with a focus on safety and an instructor who would answer any questions we had.
Learning how to use the formidable chop saw.
End of Day 2 - Foundation, frame, door, and siding is up!
Check out more photos of the workshop on our Flickr page.
The Results:
The walls go up!
Other then an amazing weekend outdoors spent with new and interesting people, I think we all walked away with a lot of confidence using tools and a good sense of how a construction project starts at an idea, is transfered into a plan, and then built up in stages.
“I’ve found myself wandering about my highly disorganized garage over the last week imagining the future. Instead of piles of stuff on the floor it’s neatly stacked on shelves. But the big difference from past fantasies of this sort is that I see myself building the shelves. Suddenly I realize I’ve got the skills and basic tools I need to do the job. There’s lots of ways of learning stuff but learning hands-on carpentry skills from a woman, in the company of other eager women makes future projects seem entirely doable. Thanks for the brilliant learning opportunity EGP!” – Keira, workshop participant
Plans & Information For Your Shed Project:
If you’re planning on building a shed of your own, then you may be interested in the plan that we used for ours.
You can download our shed plan by clicking here - Basic Shed Design. It was developed by one of the amazing community members that make up the EGP Network – Ric Ericson. Ric has been instrumental in many of our construction projects!
This is the finished shed at Lillooet Park Community Garden. Ric built this one with volunteers, and it is the same design that we used for the Charros Garden tool shed during the workshop.
Kimi provided some great handouts for the workshop participants that added extra background information to the tasks we were executing on the ground. If you’re interested in this information, please email us and we would be happy to share it with you – emily [at] ediblegardenproject [dot] com.
If you missed this workshop, but would like to participate in a similar future workshop please let me know. I can email or call you when we know the details for a future workshop. My email address is emily [at] ediblegardenproject [dot] com
If you would like to contact Kimi directly about a project you may have for SweetDigz, attending one of her workshops, or just to learn more about what she does, email: sweetdigz [at] gmail [dot] com
Tool Sheds, Terminals, Greenhouses, and Winter Crops
~ August 16th, 2011
Tuesday is “Monday” here at the Edible Garden Project, and for months now I’ve been meaning to write at least weekly on what projects we’re working on. It’s the beginning of a new week, so I’m turning over a new leaf and sticking out my elbows to make enough time in my day to write an update.
Lillooet Park Community Garden Tool Shed
Before: Tool shed with primer... not everyone was a fan of the colour. Cedar siding will fit into the landscape very well.
This weekend was a whirlwind of activity! We spent the morning at Lillooet Park Community Garden putting the siding on the shed that was built by volunteers this Spring. We had been waiting for a few months with hopes that we would be able to salvage enough materials for the siding, but it just wasn’t coming together. With Fall creeping closer we decided to splurge and buy it – cedar bevel siding. It was easy to install (thank you instructional YouTube videos and courageous volunteers) and it looks fantastic now. Just a few finishing touches to go up on the corners, and the Lillooet Park Community Garden will be officially done! Just in time for the Grand Opening celebration on September 17th (mark your calendars).
Siding going up on the Lillooet Park Community Garden Shed.
Almost finished! Just the corners and painting the door left to do.
Neptune Terminal’s Open House
Miles, one of our new and enthusiastic volunteers, attended the Neptune Terminals Open House for the afternoon. Neptune was offering tours of their facilities, information on what goes on, and how they’re involved in the community. As a funder of the EGP, Neptune generously invited us to join in the festivities. We had a great time giving out winter vegetable seeds, seed bombs, and information on our programs and how to get involved. Thank you Neptune!
We finally have a Greenhouse!
Sean to the rescue with his truck for transporting the Greenhouse.
After years of having a greenhouse on our Wish List we can finally check it off! When we received the aluminum frame greenhouse most of the glass panels were missing of broken, but that was okay because we decided that having plastic panels would probably be safer as it would be staying in a public community garden.
After a somewhat harrowing drive over in the back of Sean’s pick up truck (he always manages to show up for the tasks that involve moving large loads of materials!), it arrived at the Lillooet Park Community Garden. On an incredibly raining day in July, Heather, Linda, and I put the frame back together. A lunch break including grilled cheese sandwiches and hot chocolate was the only reason Heather could convince me to get back out there to finish the job, but we got it done. We spent a couple pf weeks measuring and cutting the new plastic panels in the alley behind the North Shore Neighbourhood House, and got a few curious looks from neighbours. Finally, this weekend we installed the last of the panels! We have to figure out how to put the door back on, but I’m confident that our investigative skills and cunning will figure it out.
Emily with a circular saw.... that's a bit scary.
I’m really excited to get in there and build a worm compost in the floor of the greenhouse. This will simultaneously give us an excellent and fast way of composting scraps, but also help to heat the greenhouse from all the activity creating the compost. I’ll dig out a pathway down the middle of the greenhouse to a depth of 2-3 feet, and build a boardwalk platform along the top of it. The platform can be removed to add material to and harvest the compost. I’ll post more as this project develops! City Farmer has a lot of great information on worm composting (aka vermiculture) if you’re interested to learn more.
The finished product!
Group Gardening at Lillooet and Booth
Our Saturday staple, Group Gardening, went very well this weekend too! Thank you to the volunteers that came out to help us get our garden plot and compost bins at Lillooet Park Community Garden and the Booth Garden in order. It was great to see a new face at the Booth garden too – welcome to the EGP Brendan!
We planted seeds for our winter crops in flats, and took them back the greenhouse to get growing. We planted: spinach, yellow chard, kale, beets, lettuce, arugula (also known as rocket), and brussel sprouts. I think we will fit one last planting of radish, snap peas, and carrots directly into the ground as well. If we have a good September then we should be able to get a good harvest out of these before the first frost.
Kale seeds
What did you do in the garden this weekend?
Community Conversation – Food, Health, & Community
~ June 16th, 2011
You are invited to attend…
NORTH VANCOUVER
Community Conversation
Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Registration at 5:30
Event location:
John Braitwaite Community Centre
145 1st St W
North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 1B1
Join us for a Community Conversation on how a strong sense of belonging and social connections can strengthen neighbourhood ties and help build a more vibrant North Vancouver.
This is your chance to connect with other North Vancouver residents and organizations and contribute to a conversation on issues like health & wellness, food/community gardens and sense of belonging in your community.
- What access do North Vancouver residents have to local healthy food?
- What are the opportunities for interaction and sharing amongst
- neighbours in North Vancouver?
- How can community gardens serve as a place for sharing and connection?
- What opportunities are available in North Vancouver to participate in
- sports and recreation activities?
- What are opportunities for volunteerism in your community?
Through small table discussions, you will have the opportunity to share what matters to you in your community; tell the stories of what you or others are doing to enrich your community; and share your thoughts on successes and opportunites for improvement. A summary of themes and recommendations from each Community Conversation will be provided to the
Mayor, Municipal Council and stakeholders of each participating community.
Agenda
5:30 – Doors Open and Registration
6:00 – Short Presentations
6:30 – Small Table Discussions
8: 00 – Light refreshments and an opportunity to connect with other
participants
Help shape the future of your community by joining in the conversation.
Attendance is free.
Background
In October 2010, Vancouver Foundation released the Vital Signs report which looks at
livability in metro Vancouver. One of the key findings to come out of the report is that a strong sense of belonging and trust between neighbours helps to create stronger, healthier communities.
Through a series of community conversations, Vancouver Foundation will explore this important finding. Each community will focus on key topics and issues that are relevant to that community. A summary of themes and
recommendations will be provided to the Mayor and Municipal Council and stakeholders in each participating community.
Community Conversations will take place in June 2011 in Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond, Vancouver, and White Rock.
For more information on this project, please visit:
www.vancouverfoundationvitalsigns.ca/community-conversations/
Please reserve your free ticket as space for walk-ins will be limited.
Complimentary refreshments will be served. Please note, it is not necessary to print your Eventbrite ticket – upon registration, you will be entered into our internal records.
The North Vancouver Community Conversation is presented by Vancouver
Foundation in partnership with North Shore Neighbourhood House, Vancity, and Vancouver Foundation.
Neighbourhood to Nation: Portland Food Policy Conference Part 1
~ June 7th, 2011
St Johns Woods – Growing Community Capacity for Leadership & Health
Community Food Security Coalition – Food Policy from Neighbourhood to Nation
Portland, Oregon
Photo Credit: Village Gardens
On the first day of the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) conference I participated in a field trip series called “Building Skills, Building Community: Urban Agriculture and Economic Development.” We visited three different community gardens, a youth run farm, and a new community run healthy food market. Over the week or so I will write about each of these stops, and my thoughts on how these models relate to the work that we’re doing on the North Shore.
First stop: St Johns Wood
St Johns Wood is a low-income housing development run by the Portland Housing Authority (PHA), and home to 124 families of diverse backgrounds. Historically community gardens have not been allowed on PHA land, but about seven years ago a community organization called Village Gardens began to change that.
Our guide, Kara, a first generation city-dweller from a family of subsistence farmers from Idaho was brought onto the St Johns Wood garden project in its infancy. As our bus passed through large swaths of industrial area, she explained how she worked with the community to develop a vision for the garden and build bridges with the PHA to make the garden a reality. She started by asking residents, “If you could have anything [in the garden], what would it be?”
The Community’s Vision
A garden that was thought ‘doomed to fail’ by the PHA, has flourished over the years. In a neighbourhood plagued by vandalism and tagging, the garden has never been touched. Obviously this project came from the community and is highly respected and loved. Three years into the project the PHA agreed to pay for water access - a big step and sign that the organization was beginning to see the value in the garden. Four years in, the PHA made a small office space available, and five years in PHA worked with Village Gardens to support replicating the garden model in other developments.
The 7,000 square foot St. Johns Woods Garden Project enables 30 families living 200% below federal poverty guidelines to grow their own food by providing seeds, tools, fertile land, water, and technical support. Housing Authority of Portland property managers at St. Johns Woods credit the project with reducing vandalism and increasing collaborative problem solving among residents...read more.
Photo Credit: Village Gardens
Garden Leadership
The garden coordinators provided the leadership needed to make the St Johns Wood garden successful, and to share the model throughout the Portland area. The garden coordinator graciously welcomed us to St Johns Wood and shared her thoughts and thankfulness for the garden; with a degree in agriculture from her home country of Ethiopia, her food growing knowledge was an incredible asset to the community.
The garden has also leveraged other community members leadership to bring programs into the neighbourhood. Watson, with a university degree is sustainable development and agriculture, has been leading the Community Health Worker program. Community residents are trained by the Multnomah county Health Department to work in their community to promote nutrition, health, and connecting people to health services. Village Gardens also developed a kids club program that runs out of the St Johns Wood garden. A young man in a bright blue Village Gardens t-shirt and a warm smile told us about his with work with the neighbourhood children growing a 1000sq feet of garden, learning about where food comes from, how to eat healthy, and living actively.
The gardens have proven to be a powerful tool in bringing together people, culture, and nutrition at St Johns Wood.
Sprouting Ideas – Grandview Woodland Food Connection
~ June 3rd, 2011
My investigation into grassroots organizations working on food security continued with an interview with Ian Marcuse of Grandview Woodland Food Connection (GWFC) in East Vancouver.
Initiated in 2004, Grandview Woodland Food Connection is a neighbourhood organization dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in the Grandview Woodland neighbourhood by promoting an accessible, just and sustainable food system for our community…. read more.
I first met Ian when I was volunteering for the Vancouver Public Space Network as the Community Gardens Coordinator, and I’ve always admired the work that he is doing in his community to engage vulnerable and marginalized people in food issues, and increasing their access to fresh food and growing space. I sat down to chat with him about this, and to learn how we can increase the accessibility and the impact of the EGP programs in our community.
Buen Provecho is one of the GWFC programs that really caught my eye. Latin American elders and youth are coming together to share traditional foods and stories; they’ve created a cook book and wealth of stories on their blog. I love the idea of bringing elders and youth together to share skills and information over food in a causal mentorship setting. Ian reflected that having a connection to the Britannia Community Centre was very helpful in establishing the Buen Provecho program (and many others). The link to the community centre broke down barriers and created opportunities to integrate into existing programing. In the case of Buen Provecho, it started with the Britannia Youth Group and then brought in local elders through the seniors centre. You can check out photos and recipes from the Buen Provecho program on their blog.
A major theme underlying Ian’s work in the community has been relationship building. Although it takes time to reach out to all the other organizations and people working in the neighbourhood, the result has been well worth it because they are what “make things happen”. I found it particularly interesting to see how Ian’s investment in building relationships in the community has supported the GWFC work despite language barriers. Even if posters are written in many different languages, people are hesitant to attend events because they know that the event itself will still be held in English. Connecting and collaborating directly with groups representing or consisting of people that speak another language has been a far better way to reach non-English speaking community members.
Overall, I think that we will work to incorporate what Ian has shared from his experiences with the GWFC by collaborating with a diversity of organizations on the North Shore, and to focus on building relationships to the networks that already exist in our neighbourhoods.
Bowen Island – Election 2011
~ May 14th, 2011
Bowen Island
Election 2011 Candidates Responses to urban agriculture and food security issues.
Bowen Island Survey Responses - Download Here
Mayor & Council
Written Responses:
West Vancouver – Election 2011
~ May 14th, 2011
West Vancouver
Election 2011 Candidates Responses to urban agriculture and food security issues.
West Vancouver Survey Responses - Download Here
Mayor & Council
Written Responses:
School Trustees:
Written Responses:
District of North Vancouver Election 2011
~ May 14th, 2011
District of North Vancouver
Election 2011 Candidates Responses to urban agriculture and food security issues.
District of North Vancouver Survey Responses – Download Here
Mayor & Council
Written Responses:
School Trustees:
Written Responses:
City of North Vancouver Election 2011
~ May 14th, 2011
City of North Vancouver
Election 2011 Candidates Responses to urban agriculture and food security issues.
City North Van Survey Responses - Download Here
North Shore News Article – Nov 2010 City Food Plan Sparks Debate
Mayor & Council
Written Responses:
School Trustees
Written Responses:
Adventures in Agriculture
~ March 17th, 2011
Loutet Farm - before
Going from a muddy field to a functioning market garden in a few short weeks is proving to be quite an experience! As I write this, the sun is streaming in the window, but yesterday someone pointed out that of all the days we have been out there working hard, we’ve had about 4 hours total without rain! I thought I would take this sunny moment to answer a few questions that I’ve been hearing a lot.
First, as soon as the word ‘farm’ is out of my mouth, folks tend to envision pigs and chickens and goats etc. Just to straighten that out, there are no plans to have animals at Loutet Farm. As it is situated on public parkland there will not be anyone living on site, so animal care is difficult (not to mention that the bylaws in the City of North Vancouver still don’t allow for things like chickens). Instead of picturing a barnyard, think about a flourishing market garden instead!
One of the many groups of volunteers that are making this project a reality. Photo Jade Pover, Concert Properties
Second, people ask how it will be divided up. One of the reasons that this is an exciting project is that it is not a community garden – it is a whole new kind of experiment. In a community garden, individual gardeners are given or rent a small space where they can grow anything they want, and do what they want with what they produce. At the Loutet Farm, we have two farmers (Jo and Gail) who are paid to grow food on the property. This produce will be available for sale to you – our friends and neighbours!
Once people realize that produce will be sold, ‘where does the money go?’ is always the next question. The farm is managed by the North Shore Neighbourhood House (home to the EGP) which is a charitable organization. ‘Social enterprise’ – one of the new buzzwords in the non-profit world – is where organizations like ours enter into a business venture that will both make money (fingers crossed!) and also have social and environmental benefits for the community. Our goal is that the farm will be able to sustain itself financially within five years. All of the money generated through the sale of produce will go back into the operation of the farm.
Nobody generally asks this, but I think it’s important – our goal is to pay our farmers a living wage. Typically, small-scale organic farmers make very little (I would estimate somewhere in the range of $3/hr?). The average age of farmers in BC is around 57 – and few of those soon-to-be retiring farmers have anyone to continue the farm. Low income, hard work, high risk and impossible land prices make agriculture a rather unattractive career choice for new young farmers. We are trying to create, in our own small way, attractive ‘green collar’ jobs in agriculture so that we can continue to do what we do best – EAT!
The view of the Farm two weeks in. Photo Jade Pover, Concert Properties
If you’ve got more questions about Loutet Farm – let me know! If you would like to volunteer on this (or any of our other projects) contact Emily.
To see photos of some of the fun we’ve had so far along the way click here.
This initiative has been supported by: Concert Properties, Vancouver Coastal Health, Neptune Terminals, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Wesgroup Properties, The Great Canadian Landscaping Company and T. Moscone & Bros Landscaping.
Plus, of course, our partners: UBC SALA, Greenskins Lab and the City of North Vancouver.
– Heather.
Sprouting Ideas – SFU Local Food Project
~ March 16th, 2011
SFU Local Food Project Harvest Box volunteers hard at work!
In January I took some time to interview a handful of community leaders working in the realm of food security and urban agriculture in Vancouver, Seattle, and Tuscon. My hope was to learn as much as I could about engaging more people and developing mentorship programs – two things that I’m hoping to focus on at the Edible Garden Project (EGP) over the next couple of years.
The conversations were fruitful, and I’m happy to start sharing what I learned in a series of blog posts, called Sprouting Ideas, over the next month or so! Most interviews were less then an hour, and started with a broad question. Most of them gave me more questions to pursue then answers, but all of them have contributed to developing a clearer sense of how a garden mentorship program could work at the EGP, and new ideas on how to reach a wider diversity of people in our community.
kjkg
I’ll start off with Charlene Ponto of Simon Fraser University’s Local Food Project.
My Question: What have you discovered most successful in engaging with post-secondary students on food issues?
Charlene attributes the success of the SFU Local Food Project’s ability to engage with the campus community to a number of factors: a strong Advisory Committee, streamlined volunteer recruitment, a well subscribed mailing list, a focus on building relationships, and offering specific skill development opportunities.
The Advisory Committee is made up of campus stakeholders including staff, faculty, community representatives, and students. Although they provide a strong network for the organization to gain insight from, bringing them together also developed community buy in – critical for the project’s success.
Developing relationships with Professors willing to send out information on events and volunteer opportunities to their students extended the reach of the organization to those that may not normally stop at an information booth or reach out to get involved.
SFU Pocket Market volunteers
Students are very busy people, so I was interested to learn how they made volunteering an appealing activity for students already bogged down by study and work. I learned that the student orientations and club days held at the beginning of each semester are great ways to show your organization off to hundreds of students. Offering very specific volunteer job descriptions including time slots, responsibilities, skills gained, and an offer of a reference letter were also useful. She explained that many students just know they want to help, but may not know exactly what they want to do, so the more specific you are in volunteer job descriptions the better. Making it clear what a student gets out of the time they spend is also important, and makes it easier for students to understand the connection between your volunteer opportunities and valuable work experience they could gain. Charlene also added that relationship building is critical to maintaining volunteers; volunteering is about feeling connected and making friends as much as it is about giving back to the community.
The SFU Local Food Project runs three core programs open to staff, faculty, students at SFU: the Harvest Box, the Pocket Farmers Market, and a skills training program. I was curious to know which programs appealed most to students. Not surprisingly, the skills training program was incredibly popular! The workshops were offered by donation to ensure they were as accessible as possible to people on a tight budget. Students loved being able to learn how to start a vegetable garden and compost with worms – concrete steps they could take home to “green” their lives.
I was also curious to know what sort of students usually got involved with the SFU Local Food Project. I discovered that initially participation had been largely middle class environment students. However, that has changed considerably over the past few years. The coordinators started to make a greater effort to appeal to a larger crowd by adding a social justice lens and commentary to their projects and communications. Attending international student orientations and events was also helpful. Over time new people got involved and would bring their friends, and this has simply grown.
My main take-aways: bring a diverse group of stakeholders together to develop community buy-in, focus on relationship building to engage volunteers and strengthen networks, be explicit about what you have to offer and the skills you can develop, use a broad lens to analyze food issues that includes social justice, the economy, and the environment to appeal to a diverse range of people.
Since my chat with Charlene, I’ve revamped the EGP Volunteer Job Descriptions and started reaching out to the Capilano University community. So far we’ve got more students involved in the EGP then ever before! Most have them have been drawn to the programs where they can get hands on learning experiences like at Group Gardening sessions or by joining a Garden Working Group. It’s been great to have their energy and enthusiasm, and I’m looking forward to watching inter-generational relationships develop over the growing season – maybe I won’t have to do much to get more mentorship programming happening!
- Emily Jubenvill, Volunteer Coordinator
North Vancouver District OCP Takes on More Urban Agriculture
~ March 16th, 2011
We made an impact! The latest draft of the District of North Vancouver’s (DNV) Official Community Plan (OCP) was released on March 4th, and now includes four statements in reference to food security and/or urban agriculture! This is really exciting, and shows that your support for urban agriculture and local food is starting to catch the attention of our local government. Thank you to everyone that wrote a letter or spoke to a Councilor about this issue!
Under the statements from 6.3 Community Services, Programs and Facilities the OCP now says:
12. Encourage sustainable, local food systems through initiatives such as promotion of healthy, local foods and food production DELETE:(on private property), and the facilitation of community gardens, farmers markets, urban agriculture pilot projects in appropriate locations and food production DELETE:(on private property), and the facilitation of community gardens, farmers markets, urban agriculture pilot projects in appropriate locations.
NEW 13. Integrate opportunities for urban agriculture in planning town and village centres.
14. Collaborate with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners in their efforts to provide increased access by all members of the community to safe, nutritious food.
NEW 15. Develop a food policy that defines the District’s vision and commitment to facilitating a food system that supports long term community and environmental health.
A factor that contributed to this inclusion of food security in the OCP may have been a letter that Table Matters Community Reference Group* wrote a letter to the DNV last month. The letter urged the DNV to support food security and sustainable food systems more explicitly in the Official Community Plan (OCP) in both the vision and policy areas. It was signed by over 25 community members and organizations!
If you want to read the specifics of the letter and the policy recommendations you can download it here.
To read a little bit more on why we think including food issues and urban agriculture in the OCP is important, you can check out this blog post and this North Shore Outlook article.
* The citizens and stakeholders who have signed this letter are part of a group that has formed as a result of an event held November 5, 2010 called Table Matters: A Community Discussion about Food Security and Urban Agriculture. Since then we have begun to work together on strategic planning and building a working group of individuals and organizations on the North Shore interested in food security, urban agriculture and sustainable food systems.
Seed Saving on the North Shore
~ January 30th, 2011
Dan Jason, Salt Spring Island Seeds
Last week Dan Jason of Salt Spring Island Seeds visited Terra Nova Farm in Richmond to talk about seed saving as a community. The room was packed with people from all over the Lower Mainland interested in what Dan had to say about starting Community Seed Collectives.
Recently urban agriculture, food security, and food sovereignty have become increasingly “hot topics” around the world as communities start to address the issues of our current industrial food system. Even in our own community there’s more activity then ever before. The Mayor of North Vancouver is pushing for front lawns to transform into gardens, north shore high school students are taking agriculture classes, and the Table Matters event was packed with more then 100 people and organizations working in our community on food issues.
Dan’s talk was heart felt and inspiring, but also linked the importance of these community based initiatives to addressing the big picture issues.
“A key point that I would like to make however, one which is perhaps not as obvious as the importance of food, is this: You need good seed to grow good food and to keep growing good food. Seed becomes food becomes seed becomes food. Just as it doesn’t make sense to rely on food being brought in from thousands of miles away, neither is it wise to depend on seeds from somewhere else. You need reliable seeds that are adapting to where you are and which can provide a sustainable diet.” – Dan Jason
As the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is being negotiated behind closed doors there have been reports that a clause under the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants ( UPOV), UPOV 19, would essentially extinguish farmers rights to save seeds of any kind. It looks like this clause (UPOV 19) has been dropped from the agreement as of October, however there are other clauses in the draft agreement that jeopardize local food system development.
“CETA would disallow governments, schools, hospitals, universities, and public utilities from favouring local suppliers or businesses for contracts over relatively small thresholds. This would seriously jeopardize local food systems and any other initiative that would maintain local businesses.” -National Farmers Union
What do we do? Can Community Seed Saving Make a Difference?
The idea of a seed collective is to have many community members each saving one type of seed, and contributing them to a pool of seeds the community can use. People new to seed saving would be connected to a mentor, and each person would specialize in a type of seed (i.e. beans, tomatoes, grain, etc). The mentor for a seed type (i.e. the Bean Leader) could teach you how to save and troubleshoot throughout the season. Over the years the network and seed bank would grow to reach a scale that could contribute significantly, and relationships with other communities saving seeds would strengthen the resilience of the system.
If you want to read more about this idea, please check out the Seed Sanctuary‘ s article on Community Seeds Saving.
Borlotti Bean Seeds
How Do We Start Saving Seeds?
On March 5th, we’ll be hosting a Seedy Saturday in North Vancouver. The focus will be on learning how to save seeds (workshops and demonstrations!), meeting other interested people, and finding the right seeds and resources to get you started. This will be a great starting place, so join us! Click here for information on this event.
There are also many great online resources, like these “how to” seed saving videos and notes from Dan Jason.
Not Much Urban Agriculture in District of North Vancouver OCP
~ January 28th, 2011
Photo Credit: Organic Nation
Today is the last day to submit feedback on the District of North Vancouver’s Official Community Plan (OCP)! We’ve taken a look at the OCP and have noticed that there is not very much content supporting urban agriculture or food security.
The OCP is an important document, and it sets the course for the DNV for the next 20 years. Interest in local food, urban agriculture, and food security has been steadily growing, and as Will Allen said at an event in Vancouver last night, “It’s gone from a movement to a revolution.. It’s everywhere, and we’re [only] at the beginning…”
There is an incredible opportunity for the DNV to embed incentives for urban agriculture and increase access to affordable local food in this OCP. In particular, it would be great to see incentives (or requirements) for developers to include growing space (roof top gardens, community gardens, green walls, etc) in their plans. This could present a low-cost (for the DNV) option to support long term development of food growing space in our community.
We’ve got lots more ideas too! A couple of weeks ago a group of about 30 people that attended last fall’s Table Matter event met to discuss potential projects for 2011. At the end of the night we decided to put together these ideas and share them with the community in the hope that we could generate enough interest to include more wording specific to food security and urban agriculture in the OCP.
Click here to take a look at the other recommendations we put together. We also put together a template letter that you can send to the District to support include more wording specific to food security and urban agriculture in the OCP. Or send your own feedback directly to identity@dnv.org.
Thank-you for your support!
Short Food Security Documentaries
~ January 20th, 2011
At last year’s Table Matters event I met Scott Rowe, the Executive Chef of the New Hope Chef Training Program run by the Salvation Army on the North Shore. The program focuses on providing marginalized youth with training and skills to get their “foot in the door”. We had a few short but interesting conversations about the New Hope Chef program, so I was pleased to hear his voice this week when he called to ask me if I knew of any good short documentaries on food security or sustainable agriculture. Scott wanted to show a short documentary to the participants of the New Hope Chef Training Program to share some of the issues around food security we’re facing and the alternatives to ‘industrial’ farming. This got me thinking, and I also asked for help from some friends.
This is what we came up with:
- Ensuring the Future of Food – The Department of Agriculture in Japan put this animation together. Thank-you to Shelby for sharing it with us!
- Spreading Seeds – A short documentary produced as part of a campaign for urban agriculture in Vancouver, Canada.
- Good Food: A Collection of Short Films on Food & Sustainability – Brought to you by Media that Matters, this is a great collection of shorts.
- The Root Cause – Arzeena Hamir suggested this one on food security issues facing the City of Richmond, and reveals overwhelming public unawareness, increasing institutional concern and a strong grassroots movement to address food insecurity within the community
Do you have any favourites you’d like to share with us?
District of North Vancouver – Supporting Community Gardens & Local Food Systems?
~ December 13th, 2010
Lillooet Park Community Garden, photo: Heather Johnstone
We went to the District of North Vancouver (DNV) Council Meeting last Monday to present on the merits of supporting more community garden development, and to report on the success of the newly built Lillooet Park Community Garden. The agenda was stacked with food related presentations – the Edible Garden Project, Delbrook Staff Garden Initiative, the Youth Safe House Secret Garden, comments on Metro Vancouver’s Draft Regional Food System Strategy, and the results of a survey on Neighbourhood Perceptions of Local Food and Gardening.
We are so thank-full that over a dozen people came out to support and speak about community gardens. Having so many warm bodies and different perspectives on why community gardens are important for DNV residents made a real impact! The animated and heartfelt descriptions of the joys of lugging rocks during the hottest days of the year during the construction of the Lillooet Park Community Garden, meeting new neighbours and friends, and getting a chance to learn new skills showed Mayor and Council the diversity of reasons why the community supports more gardens. At the end of the evening Councillor Lisa Muri said, “I am no longer a skeptic on the value of community gardens and what they mean to residents of the North Vancouver District.” That’s a big step forward, and we were happy to also hear support for community garden initiatives from Mayor Walton, Councillor Hicks, Councillor McKay-Dunn, and Councillor Nixon.
As Mayor and Council discussed a number of items on the agenda Heather and I found ourselves scribbling notes and biting our tongues. Sometimes it’s hard not to interject and add your own thoughts to the discussion! Instead of getting kicked out of Council Chambers for disrupting decorum, we decided to save our thoughts to share in writing today.
What is the distinction between neighbourhood gardening and large scale “food security”?
One of the interesting points that was brought up a few times by Counc. Little is the notion that neighbourhood gardening does not impact food security. We beg to differ, and I think there are a few other members of Council that would agree there is a very real and tangible connection.
- If we’re talking about food security on an individual basis then we cannot assume that everyone can afford to have access to fresh healthy produce all the time. In fact there are many people on the North Shore who would benefit to access to a community garden plot to grow nutritious and culturally appropriate food for themselves and their families. Gardens provide people with access to grow safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate food even if they don’t provide all of the food they will need.
- Counc. Hicks mentioned the role that Victory Gardens played in providing families with food in England post WWII. Community gardens will need to play a similar role again in the future as food supply decreases and costs increase due to climate change. We are several generations removed from our agricultural roots and need to re-build the capacity and knowledge on food growing within our communities if we hope to have the same success of past Victory Gardens. Community gardens provide the perfect learning environment and hosts for workshops and training sessions available to everyone in the community to revive those lost skills. Community gardens are not the end all and be all of food security for the North Shore, but they are a more than simply recreational and therapeutic. They are one vital component of a diverse strategy that helps move us towards a resilient and sustainable food secure community.
Whose responsibility is food security?
During the discussion of the Metro Vancouver Regional Food Strategy draft, Counc. Muri and Bassam were both supportive of the strategy’s proposal to preserve Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land. This is great, but there is no ALR land in the DNV. Although I’m happy to see them jump on board the preserving ALR lands, their support for something that has little to do with food security or production in the DNV is not a replacement for “home grown” initiatives on the North Shore. A regional strategy for food security is incredibly important, but I think that a perspective that focused more on “what can we do to support this…” rather than “Metro Van should…” would do wonders.
Passing the cost of community garden building over to community members would defeat the purpose of accessibility, and it is unrealistic to rely solely on businesses to sponsor community initiatives like this. However there is room for the DNV Council to address what their role is in supporting community garden development without being responsible for paying for them all. The upcoming Official Community Plan (OCP) is a great opportunity to encourage or require all new developments to include community garden space. If the District is not going to support garden development financially, why not include them as a community amenity to be provided by developers. As the ‘Network of Centres’ proposed in the Draft OCP is developed increasing density is only going to mean increased demand for garden space: building them in as these centres develop is going to be much easier than trying to add them later!
Community Gardens are not Cost Effective?
When it comes down to cost, I just don’t see how an elliptical machine offers more value to the community then a community garden – that’s an argument we’re hearing from some Council members! Although a gymnasium may see over 200 people in a month, there are construction, staffing, maintenance, electricity, etc. costs to consider over the lifetime of that infrastructure.. Gardens on the other hand are a onetime construction cost (the garden society takes care of ongoing maintenance), and provide a public space and learning environment for the entire community. In fact, the District is saving money every year by no longer having to maintain the garden site. I think that if you compare the cost of each over 20 years the garden might not seem so expensive! Both have value from a recreation perspective, but both appeal to different folks as well – I’m personally not a community member who gets any use out of an elliptical machine!
Overall the response at the Council Meeting was positive, but I think that there is work to be done to articulate the connections between neighbourhood gardening and food security, and the economics of community gardens to Mayor and Council. Moving forward… we know there are lots of people in Lynn Valley who want a community garden. Our question to you is, “If you were a community garden in Lynn Valley, where would you be?”
Here’s the video we created to thank Mayor and Council for their support of the Lillooet Park Community Garden.
Farmers Markets for District of North Vancouver
~ December 13th, 2010
Photo: Natalie Maynor
Tonight the District of North Vancouver’s Mayor and Council will debate the merits of a proposal for two farmers markets. The two proposed locations are at Lynn Valley Village Plaza and Parkgate Plaza, and would run for a trail period of one year. The proposal on the table tonight would authorize staff to modify special events permits to allow for events like a farmers market on public lands.
There’s nothing like buying your fresh produce from a local farmer – the person that put in the sweat equity to make that carrot so sweet and crunchy! Farmers Markets provide the opportunity to buy fresh healthy local produce, support our local economy, and of course create the connection between food purchasers and producers.
To support the proposal for Farmers Markets in the District of North Vancouver you can:
- Write to Mayor and Council – we’ve even created an email that you can cut and paste if you’re short on time. Email them at: dnvcouncil@dnv.org
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing in support of the proposal for the Farmers Market trials in North Vancouver. Farmers Markets provide access to fresh local food, an opportunity to get outside and meet new people, and support our local economy in BC. I would like to see Farmers Markets in North Vancouver, and I hope that you will support this proposal.
Sincerely…
- Attend the Council Meeting – tonight (Dec 13th) at 7:00pm, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver
Whole Foods Market Christmas Trees
~ December 8th, 2010
10% of all Christmas Trees sold at Whole Foods Market in West Vancouver will be donated to the Edible Garden Project!
This funding will help us continue to offer all of the programs that we do in the community. Donations like this are essential to keeping the EGP going. If you’d like to make a donation directly to the Edible Garden Project, look to the right and click the red tomato saying ‘Donate to the EGP’. This will take you to a secure site – you’ll be able to select the EGP from a list of North Shore Neighbourhood House Programs! ‘Tis the season (and ’tis tax deductible!)!
Find us on Facebook!
~ October 5th, 2010
The EGP has a Facebook Page
If you’re looking for up-to-date information, lots of photos and invites to upcoming events, check out our Facebook Page!
Whole Foods Community Chest
~ September 26th, 2010
July 5th to September 26th, bring a bag and donate the savings to the EGP!
When shopping at Whole Foods Market at Park Royal between July 5th and September 26th, the Edible Garden Project will be one of the three options that you can chose from when donating your 10 cent bag discount. You would be amazed how quickly those 10 cents add up!
So, don’t forget to bring your bag from home and choose the EGP when shopping at Whole Foods Market.
EGP Volunteer Orientation
~ September 13th, 2010
Learn all about how the EGP works – and how to get involved! Monday, September 13th, 6pm.
Are you new to the EGP or just haven’t had time to get out and volunteer with us lately? Our new monthly volunteer orientation night will give you a chance to learn about all the great projects the EGP is running, and how you can get involved. If you think all we do is offer gardening sessions… prepare to be amazed!
Monday September 13th, 6pm at the North Shore Neighbourhood House, Activity Room (225 East 2nd Avenue, North Vancouver). Registration is required; please email Emily. Orientation sessions will continue on the 2nd Monday of every month.
Photo: Cathy McKie
Produce Donation
~ August 31st, 2010
Share your Surplus Produce
If your garden is bountiful and you’ve got too much for yourself, please consider donating the surplus to your community. This produce goes directly to people in need on the North Shore.
The Harvest Project:
Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm
The North Shore Neighbourhood House:
225 East 2nd Street, North Vancouver, BCMonday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10-noon
Mollie Nye House:
940 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BCMonday-Friday 10am-4pm
Green City Living – FRESH
~ July 27th, 2010
The City of North Vancouver ‘Green City Living‘ film and speaker series continues on July 27th (7-9pm, CNV Hall – council chambers, 141 E 14th Street) with a showing of FRESH. Join councellor Craig Keating and local sustainable agriculture experts for a discussion after the movie.
FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.
Admission is by donation. This year, donations will be accepted for the Lower Lonsdale and Queen Mary Community Gardens.
North Shore Fruit Tree Project
~ July 13th, 2010
The Fruit Tree Project has arrived on the North Shore
The North Shore Fruit Tree Project Society is here to connect those with fruit growing trees to those in need. Organized picks in your community will provide fruit to local food banks and organizations in need.
How it works:
If you would like to donate your fruit please contact them at 604-983-6444 (ext.640) or by email. They will put you on their picking schedule and coordinate volunteer pickers to come pick your tree. You will be able to keep up to 1/4 of the fruit that volunteers pick. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your harvest goes to local residents in need.
Visit www.northshorefruittreeproject.ca for more details, if you’ve got fruit to share or if you would like to become a picker.
The Day of the Honey Bee
~ May 29th, 2010
This year, for the first time, Beekeepers, B.C. Honey Producers Association, and others in the industry are joining with governments at every level to draw attention to the plight of honeybees and the threat that it represents. The North Shore joins cities across North America to educate about these essential pollinators who contribute an estimated value to Canada’s agricultural industry of almost a billion dollars.
For the fourth year in a row, beekeepers in British Columbia and across North America have experienced devastating losses. This year in our province the hardest hit were on Vancouver Island where reports had up to 90 percent of beehives wiped out. And in spite of a world-wide scientific effort a solution to save this most vital link in our food chain remains elusive.
To mark this day in our community join local beekeepers on May 29th, 2010 at the Lonsdale Quay’s Farmers market, 10 am until 3 pm, as they share their knowledge about the Honey Bee. Get an up close look at bees through an observation hive, see beekeeping equipment, and learn some amazing bee facts (did you know a single hive is home to between 30 and 50 THOUSAND bees?!).
The EGP is HIRING!
~ May 20th, 2010
A Part time Volunteer and Events Coordinator
If you’re looking for part time summer employment where you get to meet lots of great gardeners click here. The EGP is hiring a part time Volunteer Events Coordinator from the end of May until mid October. This is a highly varied, highly flexible, and very fun job! If you like people, like gardening, and like getting people engaged then download the job description.
Application Deadline: 5:00pm, Thursday May 20th.
Edible Garden Project Fundraiser!
~ March 30th, 2010
Support the EGP for three tuesdays in march by eating ethical pizza.
The Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company (1255 Lynn Valley Road) has offered to donate 10% of food sales on:
- Tuesday March 9th
- Tuesday March 16th
- Tuesday March 30th
Dine at Rocky Mountain Flatbread between 6-9pm and not only do you get a delicious meal but you also are supporting the Edible Garden Project (and we need your support!) Call 778-340-3282 for reservations.
See you there…
Sharing Backyards
~ March 25th, 2010
Connecting Gardeners with Garden Space
Spring is springing, and gardeners are itching to get their hands in the soil – the problem is that many north shore gardeners don’t have any soil to work in!
If you’ve got garden space to share, or are looking for space, check out City Farmer’s ‘Sharing Backyards‘ website. Here folks can connect with others who are offering, or looking for space.
If you would like help posting your information, please contact us.
Advancing Urban Agriculture Grants
~ January 20th, 2010
Grant opportunity for North Shore Initiatives
Vancouver Coastal Health is once again offering their ‘Advancing Urban Agriculture Grants’ to the community. The goal of this grant is to increase food security for all members of the North Shore community while specifically working to improve access to healthy foods for people with low income. Vancouver Coastal Health is offering small grants to advance urban agriculture on the North Shore.
Grants of up to $5,000 will be considered, and must be submitted by March 12th, 2010. For application details click here.
Table Matters
~ January 20th, 2010
Summary of Main Ideas
On October 23rd 2009, Vancouver Coastal Health with the Edible Garden Project and the BC Healthy Living Alliance hosted “Table Matters: A Community Discussion about Food Security on the North Shore’‘.
With over 75 participants, the discussion was lively and inspiring. A summary of the main ideas can be found here.
Winter Hiatus
~ December 24th, 2009
Just like the plants in our gardens slow down over the winter, so do the activities of the EGP… We will be on a brief winter hiatus through the month of January, returning to action in the beginning of February 2010. Check back frequently for upcoming events come spring!
Feeding the Future: Stories and Images from the New Frontier of Food and Agriculture
~ October 21st, 2009
Michael Ableman, celebrated author of “Fields of Plenty”, is coming to Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 7:30pm
Food may become the dominant issue of our time. The industrial system that brings it to us is unraveling, and the cost of that system,ecologically, socially, and personally is enormous. While Ableman will touch on this crisis, he will leave us with a deeper sense of how we can participate in the solutions; on our farms and in our gardens, in our kitchens and at the dining room table, and in the broader communities where we live.
Michael will inspire us with his stories and powerful photographic images of individuals who are using community land, backyard gardens as well as
urban farms for creating socially and ecologically responsible ways of growing food.
Tickets: $10, available from the Centennial Theatre Box Office at 604-984-4484 or www.centennialtheatre.com. For Ride Share information: https://online.ride-share.com/en/my/event.php?id=162
For more information on Michael Ableman:
Presented by Vancouver Coastal Health (North Shore), North Shore Neighbourhood House and the Edible Garden Project.
