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Linda Geggie, Coordinator CR-FAIR, and
Dwayne MacIsaac, Island Chef Collaborative President
Regional Networking - Focus on First Nations Food Connections
There are approximately 25 food and farm groups involved in CRFAIR and these groups work with partners across the region to undertake activities together, one way is to create opportunities to share information and ideas. We work with our partners to host roundtable sessions, and we worked with the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Indigenous Food Network, and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre Youth Council, to host Our Food, Our Land and its Medicines on June 8, 2011 at the Victoria Native Friendship Center.
We began the event with a Circle of Sharing, where the groups and individuals present from across the region introduced themselves and told a little about their work. We then had a presentation from Elise Krohn, from the Northwest Indian College.
Elise Krohn, M.Ed. is a native plant specialist and herbalist who has been working and teaching in tribal communities for the last twelve years. She began her training in 1995 with a Clinical Herbalist certificate at the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and has since completed a two year program in advanced herbal studies, a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine, a Master of Education in Traditional Foods and Medicines. In 2005 she completed a certificate program in ethnobotany with the Center for World Indigenous Studies.
 In 2004-2007 Ms. Krohn was the head gardener and educator for the People of the River Healing Garden at the Skokomish Tribe. She is currently an educator and program coordinator for the Native Plant Nutrition Program at the Northwest Indian Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center and for Wild Rose and Western Red Cedar: The Gifts of the Northwest Plants. Her second book Feeding the People, Feeding the Spirit: Revitalizing Northwest Coastal Indian Food Culture was co-authored with Valerie Segrest and was published in 2010.the Northwest Indian College's Diabetes Prevention Through Traditional Plants Program.
It was a rich exchange, that saw many parallels between the types of learning and initiatives occurring on Vancouver Island and the work being led across the water by the Skokomish people and others in the region. We followed the talk with a potluck and a hands on session making lip balm.
Another event that saw the sharing between people and cultures was on June 11, 2011, where the Tsawout Nation located on the Saanich Peninsula held their fourth annual Tsawout Seafood Festival. This event highlighted some the many foods and practices of yesterday and today and the people who participated and attended were fortunate to experience a pit cook led by Belinda Claxton and Nancy Turner, a Salmon Ceremony, and to try some scow bread cooked by Joan Morris, and the many delicious offerings of the day which included clams, clam chowder, crabs, mussels, salmon, scallops, salads and baking.
Monthly Roundtables: CR-FAIR works with a local host to hold a networking roundtable for people interested and involved in the local food system, and food security. Generally these meetings are held between 11-1 pm the second week of the month, but this is flexible. At times the agenda is entirely open for the people who come to share what they are doing or to put out questions to the group. At times the host might propose a specific topic relevant to their region or their work. Again, the format is fairly flexible. The responsibility of the host organization is to provide the space to meet and tea, and get the word out to their networks. CR-FAIR will also promote the meeting through our networks, newsletter and website, and our coordinator will support the meeting. These are very rich meetings and we have found excellent spaces to learn about what is going on around the region. Please contact info@communitycouncil.ca if you would like to host a roundtable or discuss this further with us.
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Increasing Food Flow - CR-FAIR Food Access and Recovery Working Group Update
For the past couple of years, members of the Food Access and Recovery Working Group have been meeting together to enhance food delivery and transportation for food insecure individuals and families living in BC/s Capital Region. After receiving a grant from the United Way in 2010, a number of consultations were held with food providing agencies throughout the region. Food, transportation and volunteer concerns and needs were discussed. This information was used to develop a web-based tool “Give Food Get Food” that will work to connect those wishing to donate food and services to agencies that are able to support those who need it the most in our communities.
In line with this work, research is being done through the University of Victoria to explore the emergency food provisioning system within Victoria and compare and contrast it with other systems in cities across Canada. This research will help to inform our work in Victoria and give us a baseline from which to improve this food flow in our region.
We are partnering with the Vancouver based SharedHarvest.ca website to help animate our interactive web-based tool that will link from our CRFAIR website. Stay tuned for more information about this emerging Food Access and Recovery tool!
Strengthening Farming – New Farmer 2 Farmer Web-based Resources!
The Farmer2Farmer Info Exchange Forum was an event where farmers, food producers, and other actors in the agrifood sector came together to learn about ways to build their capacity to grow, process and distribute food in the region.
The forum provided an opportunity for farmers to share their knowledge and experience with other farmers – in both a presentation format and roundtables. A wide range of topics were covered including: “Increasing Profitability through Diversification”, “Emerging Business Opportunities”, “Pollination Power”, “Integrated Pest Management”, “Marketing-it’s about Relationships?”, “Government Role and Funding for Agriculture” and “Agriculture Infrastructure” which includes a discussion about abattoirs and processing facilities.
Did you miss it? Not to worry, we have posted many of the sessions on the webpage and link below! If you would like to see a short video about the event and a number of the presentations that were captured please click on this image:
The event was developed in partnership between:
- The Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable
- The Peninsula Agriculture Commission
- The District of North Saanich Agriculture Advisory
We wish to acknowledge the support by the agriculture organizations involved, the District of North Saanich and the support of the Agri-Food Futures Fund, Islands Agri-Food Initiative , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.
The Food Policy Working Group Launches Policy and Pints!!
The Regional Food Policy Working Group brings together cross sectoral expertise to support local and regional governments and authorities in their role to plan and implement policy and programs related to the regional food and agriculture system.
In an effort to encourage dialogue in the community about food issues and policy ideas; the Food Policy Council is introducing a three part series called “Policy and Pints”. The idea is to invite a few notable experts on topics of interest, and share some lively discussion over some of our most delectable of ales. CR-FAIR will partner with Phillips Brewing Company to undertake this activity.
Some of the hot topics up for consideration are:
- Not so Dear Deer - love 'em or shoot 'em?
- Not in MY park: where does food production belong in the city?
- Humanure? Whats the Scoop with Human Poop?
Let us know your ideas and your passions for debate! lgeggie@telus.net, and watch the CR-FAIR events calendar for times and dates.
Also of note over the fall is that the Food Policy Working Group (FPWG) will continue to support the development of a Regional Food Strategy as part of the CRD Sustainability Strategy. Over the past year CR-FAIR and the FPWG worked with the CRD on the development of a proposal for a Food Strategy that would work alongside the Housing Strategy, Economic Development Strategy, and Transportation Choices as the foundations of the CRD Sustainability Strategy (formerly the Regional Growth Strategy). At the June 29, 2011 meeting of the CRD Board, the CRD staff proposal for the Sustainability Strategy (including the development of a Food Strategy) was approved and work will ensue on the development of the plan in the coming two years. To learn more about the process, www.crd.bc.ca/sustainability.ca
Food Policy Working Group Calendar 2011/12 - Tuesdays 12noon to 2pm
- September 27, 2011
- November 29, 2011
- February 28, 2012
- May 29, 2012
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Our local governments undertake planning and provide services related to transportation, housing, water and waste. Over the past number of years we have also seen an increased importance placed on planning around food. There is varying level of support for the role of government in this arena but the public and community organizations who are interested in food and sustainability issues have been taking an active role in moving this forward. As our region is made up of many municipalities with different characteristics looking at food in each municipality is slightly different. In particular the municipalities of Metchosin, on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands are concerned with agriculture land and related activities, and the municipalities in the Core and West Shore are more oriented to access, distribution and food growing in urban areas.
At the municipal level we have seen the development of many Official Community Plans (OCP’s) with an increased emphasis on food. Some, like the recent rendition of the City of Victoria OCP (which completed its public consultation in June) has a whole chapter dedicated to food and it also is a strong thread throughout the plan. On June 20, 2011 Central Saanich supported in principle their recently completed Agriculture Area Plan. Read it here.
Central Saanich will continue to look at how to strengthen this plan to significantly address many of the land use planning challenges they are experiencing. In North Saanich, the municipality is now exploring the creation of an Agriculture Economic Development Strategy to move forward its recent Whole Community Agriculture Strategy, and at the regional level the CRD is currently shifting from its Regional Growth Strategy to a Regional Sustainability Strategy. Over the past year the CR-FAIR supported Food Policy Working Group has worked with the CRD to do preliminary consultations on the creation of a stand alone Food Strategy within this new planning framework to create better coordination and strategic actions for increasing the long term food security in the region.
Click here to read on for some highlights from the region. Articles include:
- Central Saanich Land Use Decisions under review by CRD
- North Saanich -Sandown Raceway Proposal
- Saanich – Buy Local Policy Adopted
- Central Saanich-Call to Action on Dumping of Fill
- Agriculture Land Protection: A Regional Land Bank?
- Provincial Policy-A Review of ALR Boundaries on the Horizon?.
- Deer o Dear! Who will tackle this challenging public policy issue?
- Update on Meat Processing: More Changes Afoot in BC?
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Food Systems Research
Web-based resources now available through the Local Food Project!
Recently Three digital stories and five reports that were created through the the Local Food Project of the Vancouver Island Community Research Alliance have now been posted on the VICRA Website www.mapping.uvic.ca (Local Food Project tab)
The reports include:
- Climate Change and Food Security on Vancovuer Island
- Institutional Purchasing on Vancouver Island
- Indigenous Food Systems
- Creating a Land Inventory and Urban Foodscape on Vancouver Island
The project was coordinated by the Office of Community Based Research at the University of Victoria with the five Island Campus groups: Camosun College, North Island College. Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University.
Read more...
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Transformative Food Politics, Charles Z Levkoe, University of Toronto
Charles Z Levkoe, of the Department of Geography and Program Planning at the University of Toronto is undertaking a research project to look at regional food networks and their role in building the connections between social justice, ecological sustainability, community health and democracy issues. The research involves four regional networks: The Nova Scotia food Security Network, Sustain Ontario: The Alliance of healthy Food and Farming, Food Matters Manitoba, and the British Columbia Food Systems Network. The study is to learn more about the work of these regional food networks and explore how provincial non-profit organizations are attempting to build networks that connect organizations across localities while supporting a transformative food politics.
Transformative food politics refers to a collection of initiatives that attempt to address the root causes of current challenges within the food system, rather than just the symptoms. A transformative food politics demands a comprehensive approach to these challenges.
As part of the study, in the fall of 2010, a social network survey was completed of over 200 organizations in the four provinces. These organizations indicated that community health and ecological sustainability as the strongest issues for them. The vast majority situated themselves as “part of a food movement”. A Social Network Analysis was also undertaken utilizing a computer program called UCINET to illustrate and analyze each organization and the relationship between them. This data is being used to help understand the structure of the four provincial networks along with the position and relationship of organizations within the network. LifeCycles was identified as one of the key organizations in British Columbia.
To learn more about the research and project contact Charles Z Levkkoe at charles.levkoe@utoronto.ca and see his article in the Newsletter below.
Update on Island, Provincial and National Food Networks
Vancouver Island Food Network Plans Island Gathering for 2011/2012
The Vancouver Island Food Network held its Annual General Meeting, and meeting of directors in June. The network members decided to continue to focus on building relationships and sharing information between island groups and organizations. The VIFN will be organizing a gathering this year with an interest in coordination with the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
To learn more about the network visit its website and find a list and links to many island groups at www.vifood.info. You can also subscribe for weekly updates from www.vifood.info. Join the listserve or follow on Facebook, through Sustainable Food Vancouver Island, and Twitter.
BC Food Systems Network holds Annual Conference in 100 Mile House
 A number of people traveled from the Island to attend the Annual BC Food Systems Network Conference this year in 100 Mile House. The topic of the gathering this year was Diversity and Resiliency. There were a great number of workshops and a very interesting field trip to the Horse Lake Farm Cooperative.
I facilitated a workshop with David Coney on the development of a Provincial Food Policy and the role of the BC Food Systems Network. Out of this workshop a BC Working Group on Food Policy was formed, and has now initiated action to present at the Public Health Association of British Columbia conference in the fall.
At the previous gathering in Ymer, a statement was adopted by the BCFSN on Water, and at this years gathering a statement was adopted on Diversity. These statements are important policy tools for the network as they help us to articulate our vision and ways of working together. To learn more about the BC Food Systems network, join its general or specific list serves related to food issues visit www.fooddemocracy.org.
To learn more about the gathering see the article in the section below.
Food Secure Canada-Releases Resetting the Table, People’s Food Policy for Canada
Food Secure Canada has been conducting a cross country “kitchen table talk” process to develop a food policy for Canada, called the People’s Food Policy Project. This process is focused on developing a unified voice and position that can be taken forward to inform and influence policy at the national level. Over 3,500 people were involved in the talks and the result is the recently released Resetting the Table, People’s Food Policy for Canada. Click here to read the document.
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More Support for Food and Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives through Real Estate Foundation
The Real Estate Foundations August Newsletter reported that “as part of the Real Estate Foundation’s funding criteria review project, our staff hosted six stakeholder engagement sessions in May. We received a wealth of information that will be put to good use as our funding criteria review continues. This valuable input was instrumental in our Board of Governors’ June 23rd decision to approve, in principle, the three proposed focus areas: fresh water sustainability, sustainable food systems, and built environment.” Great news!
For more information and granting information see their website.
Community Announcements and Submissions
Making Food Matter at the Fernwood Urban Village
By Kylie Sandham, Cohousing Consultant/Facilitator for Fernwood Urban Village
The Fernwood Urban Village The Fernwood Urban Village is a developing cohousing community located close to the urban core of Victoria, BC. Our Village is designed for individuals/couples sharing social and physical resources in a sustainable and ecologically responsible community setting. We are community of active adults interested in food production, food preparation and living with a lighter footprint on the earth. Read more...
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Join a movement to revitalize first nations traditional foods
Are you passionate about the revitalization of the traditional foods and cultural practices in First Nations communities? The Vancouver Island & Coastal Communities Indigenous Food Network (VICCIFN) is currently seeking working group members to help aid in the flow of information between communities, organize gatherings, set strategy for the future growth and sustainability of the network, and help with the implementation of key initiatives such as the Digital Harvest Project (approximately 2-3 hours per month.)
To find out more, please email viccifn@gmail.com.
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2011 BC Food Systems Network Annual Gathering
centres on Diversity and Resiliency
By Heather Nelson
The 13th Annual BC Food Systems Network (BCFSN) Gathering held at the 100 Mile Lodge
Conference Centre on July 7-10 was very well attended, says Trish Chung.
"We had 80 registrants and more than 125 people for dinner. I don't have the exact numbers yet,
but our wine-and-cheese reception was great, as the room was full."
Read more...
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Urban Agriculture: Growing for market, neighbourhood, and community
Foxglove Farms Salt Spring Island
Tuesday, September 27th, 7:00pm - Friday, September 30th, 2011
instructors: Michael Ableman and Josh Volk
cost: $285 plus HST (lunches and dinners included)
Urban agriculture as a movement has come into its own, with a dramatic increase in individuals wanting to create agricultural enterprises on small plots in the city. While enthusiasm is high, the skill level required to make these enterprises financially viable is often lacking. This workshop, taught by two veteran farmers, will provide the nuts and bolts for starting an urban agricultural enterprise from site selection and soil remediation, to developing a business and crop plan, to propagation, direct seeding, transplanting, irrigation, cultivation, pests, diseases, harvesting and a range of creative marketing strategies. The workshop is for beginners and for those who have been farming and want to improve their skills. While the workshop has a focus on the urban scene, much of the instruction will also apply to peri-urban and rural farming enterprises.
Michael Ableman has been farming for over 35 years. His books, lectures and workshops have inspired people throughout North America. He founded the Center For Urban Agriculture in 1987 at Fairview Gardens, at its peak one of North America’s most successful models of local and urban agriculture, where he farmed for 25 years. Michael has written, lectured, and consulted extensively on Urban Agriculture. He currently farms at Foxglove Farm on Salt Spring Island.
Josh Volk has been immersed in the study and practice of vegetable farming in the Northeast, desert Southwest, California and the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. He helped to develop and manage the very successful Sauvie Island Organics CSA, an intensive 20-acre vegetable farm in Portland, Oregon. Along with farming, Josh has been working as a consultant, writer, and teacher assisting numerous small-scale farmers and gardeners throughout North America.
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Tidbits from the News
Submitted by Pamela Zevit
Shooting horses: Canada's slaughter industry under fire.
The killing of horses for human consumption is a flourishing $70-million Canadian industry. But debate rages over both the treatment of the animals and the potential health risk to humans posed by the drugs they are fed. Toronto Star, Ontario.
Read more...
Dairy farms and greenhouse gases
ARS scientists have produced the first detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases
Read more...
Vertical farming: Can urban agriculture feed a hungry world?
Experts say that vertical farming could feed up to 10 billion people and make agriculture independent of the weather and the need for land. There's only one snag: The urban farms need huge amounts of energy.
Read more...
Food Security Articles
Propagating the Food Movement
By Charles Z. Levkoe, - article originally printed in Briarpatch Magazine
Rhizomes are horizontal, underground plant stems with the ability to create complex root systems. They can expand relentlessly underground, often lying dormant for years, and
reemerge as healthy plants in different locations when the internal and external conditions are right. Each new plant created is connected to the parent but exists as its own independent, flourishing entity.
.Read more...
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Food Facts For Americans - An Ardent Missive from a
Revolutionary Doctor
By Colin P Kopes-Kerr, MD, Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program
MY LIFE AS A CORN CHIP: You, sir or madame, are nothing more than a walking corn chip! I am too, of course. Each of us is personally responsible for consuming a ton of corn and corn by-products every year. How did we get to this ridiculous nutrition situation?
Read more...
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Land Grabbing - An issue here in Canada?
Submitted by Linda Geggie
"Land grabbing is the contentious issue of large land transactions; the buying or leasing of large pieces of land in developing countries, by domestic and transnational companies. Those transnational corporations are often supported and encouraged by central governments. The land then mainly is used around the production and export of food and biofuels." (wikipedia.org)
A couple of interesting articles on the subject:
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Canada’s Eighth Free Trade Agreement comes into effect - Columbia
By Greg Kanargelidis and Aaron Libbey, Blakes Business News
An interesting article that describes the parameters of the Canada-Columbia Free Trade Agreement. Note: the aspects that pertain to agriculture have been bolded in the document linked below.
Read more...
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Regional Food Events Calendar
Click here to see CR-FAIR's calendar of food-related events, courses, workshops, farmers' and pocket markets going on throughout BC's Capital Region. This calendar is accessible from CR-FAIR's webpage, so check back often and be sure to submit your food event information.
CR-FAIR welcomes submissions to the calendar for all food related event, courses, workshop and market information happening in BC's Capital Region. Email info@communitycouncil.ca to submit.
Linda's Fresh Cut Salsa
Recipe by Linda Geggie 
Oh man-it’s Salsa time again! Nothing better than fresh cut salsa, and the cumin in this salsa is the kicker!
This is a simple and quick recipe, (just watch your handling o fthe peppers, us gloves or make sure you wash your hands right after, or you may have come uncomfortable results!)
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb), finely diced
- 2 peppers (stems, seeds removed-jalapeño, habanero, serano, any are good!) finely diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro or more, depends on how you like it!
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ground Cumin tsp or to taste
- Juice of one lime
Just cut tomatoes, peppers in small chunks, and combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Now comes the fun part-Taste! If it’s too spicy add some more chopped tomato. If not hot and spicy enough, add a few of the seeds from the chilies, or add some more cumin. If you make it ahead of time, that let’s the flavors combine and even tastier. This recipe makes about four cups. Keeps up to one week in the fridge.
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