Local Food...Local Resources

If attending Community Eats lunches has given you not only a taste for vegan soups and stews, but also a desire to learn more about food and food system issues, check out one of these local organizations and events for more information, resources and food-related events:


Slow Food Vancouver "Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world." (Slow Food Vancouver website) Check out the upcoming event in December to celebrate Terra Madre Day.


The Tyee - An independent online newspaper, from BC and for BC, the Tyee promotes media democracy and often has interesting articles on a variety of different topics. Right now, you can read about local food history in a series called "Eat Your History". Find out why a certain variety of potato was "outlawed" in BC and lots of other tasty tidbits of info on local food. The series is edited by the author of 100-Mile Diet, James MacKinnon.


Farm Folk City Folk - "FarmFolk/CityFolk Society is a non-profit society that works with farm & city to cultivate a local, sustainable food system. We develop and operate projects that provide access to & protection of foodlands; that support local, small scale growers and producers; and that educate, communicate and celebrate with local food communities." (Farm Folk City Folk website) Find out more in this informative video, Food Democracy, produced locally by Thomas Donovan.

Food Connections Symposium - On November 25, Metro Vancouver is hosting an all-day symposium in Coquitlam; you can still register online to attend and have a say in the priorities being set for a Regional Food System Strategy.

If you belong to or know of other local organizations who educate and advocate for food systems issues in BC and the Vancouver area, please feel free to comment and share!

- Patty Hambler, ADED 501 Practicum Student

Sprouts AGM and Invitation to "South of the Table" Events

Hi everyone,

1.A message from Jeremy, Store Coordinator at Sprouts:

Hello Friends,
This is just a reminder about tomorrow's AGM at 6:30 in the store. We'll look back at our past year, look to the future, vote on some constitutional amendments, and confirm next year's board - all while enjoying some refreshments provided by Sprouts. Come even if you haven't volunteered.

Our end of year liquidation is still going strong. In addition of what's in the bulk bins, you can buy our baking ingredients at cost. Over the next couple of days, these things will be showing-up in pre-weighed bags. Drop me a line if you want to learn more about what we have kicking around.

Cheers
Jeremy.


2. As mentioned last week, Community Eats has been working with the class of Geography 495 to create awareness about translocal food sovereignty. Here are some more events that are being organized collaboratively under the name "South of the Table"...

"Geography 495 is a community service learning course at UBC focusing on the promotion of local, ethical community food production in Vancouver and Oaxaca, Mexico. The seminar is taught by Juanita Sundberg in collaboration with the Women's Cooperative Margarita Magón from Oaxaca, CIPO-RFM, CIPO-VAN, the Wilderness Committee, and Sprouts at UBC.

Wednesday April 1st, 7pm: South of the Table Beer Night at The Gallery LoungeAvoid the line-up at “The Pit” and come share a drink with us!
The Gallery Lounge in the SUB,
7pm until last call!
Film showing of "Un Poquito de Tanta Verdad", music and maybe even dancing.

Thursday April 2nd, 7pm: South of the Table Coffe House at Rhizome CafeRhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway (at Scotia St.)
7pm - 9:30pm
Join us for live music, great discussion, and a jam session to wrap everything up!
$5-10 suggested donation (no one turned away)

Stay tuned for our final food sovereignty awareness event to be held on Saturday, April 25, more details to come.

For more info send us an email at geo495foodfight@gmail.com."

That's it for now, stay tuned for a year-end wrap up and the announcing of our new Community Eats Director for 2009/2010.

Happy April!

Heather

Shepherd's Pie Recipe and Discussion Group

Hi friends,

Here is Adrick's recipe for the Shepherd's Pie that we all enjoyed at Community Eats today. Also, below is an announcement about a discussion group that some friends of Community Eats are holding at Sprouts on Monday.

Have a good weekend,

Heather and CE

1. Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Mashed Potatoes:

four large potatoes
three medium sized yams
knob of butter (or) tbsp olive oil
splash of soy milk
salt and pepper

Cut yams/potato into chunks, boil until soft, adding the yams a little bit later than the potatoes, as they cook faster. Drain. Mash with oil/butter and soy milk, add salt and pepper to taste. Spread half of mash on a pie plate or deep dish baking pan. Reserve second half for the crust.

Filling:

2 cups dry lentils, cooked
tomato, uncooked

Garlic
Onion
Pepper (any colour, maybe not green)
Eggplant
Zucchini
Mushroom
Oil

Spread cooked lentils on the mashed potato base, toss in diced fresh tomato.

Spread the diced vegetables on a baking sheet. Toss with oil, salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Bake 20 minutes at 350F, until crispy and soft on the inside.

Spread the roasted veg on top of the lentil/tomato layer. Press down with a spatula. Add the remaining mash, spread on top as a sandwich layer. Bake at 350F for 40 - 50 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the crust is golden!

Enjoy with wine, beer, cider and good company on a winter's eve!

2. The Pleasure in Eating Discussion Group

Come share your thoughts and ideas about what it means to "eat with pleasure" in a discussion group facilitated by two fellow UBC students.

In a safe and comfortable environment, we will be exploring how to rediscover food's purpose in our lives amidst the confusing messages we often encounter in our society.

When: Monday, March 16th, 5:30-7:00pm
Where: Sprouts (SUB basement, room 66)

Light snack and tea to follow.

Spots are limited. Please RSVP by Friday, March 13th to:
thepleasureineating@gmail.com

We hope to see you there!