Newsletters

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
• Eating locally over the winter
• Hot Topics from the Region
• Quarterly Update on the Activities of CR-FAIR
  • Communications and Networking
• Food Policy and Planning
• Emergency Food Provision - Increasing Food Flow
• Access to Farmland and Farm Viability Working Group
• CR-FAIR-Steering Committee and Roundtable Membership Planning Annual Roundtable and Advisors Meeting
• Building Networks and Linkages
• Community Announcements and Submissions
  • The Local Food Puzzle
  • What is a Community Kitchen Anyway?
  • Food Security and "Growing Young Farmers"
  • Food Security Action on Salt Spring Island
  • SSFPA Wants Fair and Equitable Treatment
  • Haliburton Community Organic Farm business opportunities
  • Trees and Bushes for Bees
  • Help Make Victoria Into a Permaculture City!
  • Fernwood Urban Village - Making Community Matter!
  • Creative Volunteer Opportunity
  • Navigating the Georgraphies of Food
  • People's Food Policy - Survey
  • New Book: American Wasteland
  • JAFSCD Seeks Authors and Peer Reviewers
• Island Updates
  • VIFN Network Launch
  • Great Vancouver Island Links
• Food Security Articles
  • Food Empires Creating Agriculture Crisis
  • San Franciso Bans the Happy Meal
  • Wal-Mart to Buy More Local Produce
  • Sobey's to Build $31-million grocery distribution centre
• Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipes: Sweetie Pies

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
• Hot Topics from the Region
• Monthly Roundtables
• Emergency Food Provision
• Access to Farmland and Farm Viability Working Group
• Food Matters! Forum and Regional Food Security Heroes
• Enhanced regulations support local meat sales
• Help make Victoria the Nut Capital of Canada!
• Healthy Eating and Food Security (Paper)
• Regional Food Policy Working Group
• Tidbits from Municipalities…
• Capital Region Updates
• Island Updates
• Food Security Articles
  • Urban Chickens!
  • Raising Rabbits
  • Strange politics leave some farmers out in cold
  • Agricultural carrying capacity of Vancouver Island
  • Locally grown ideas become national policy
  • Food policy and the Green Party
  • Food Policy Councils: Lessons Learned
  • Lay of the Land: Local Food initiatives in Canada
  • The Grocery Gap: Who has access to healthy food
    and why it matters
  • Food insecurity increases risk of weight gain
    and complications during pregnancy
  • Produce news from Discovery Organics
• Community Announcements and Submissions
• Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipes: Simple but Succulent Strawberry Vinaigrette
  and Summer Yum Spinach Salad

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
• CR-FAIR-Fall Activities Report
• Monthly Food Roundtables
• Food Matters Forum and Regional Food Security Heroes
• Update on Local Government Food Policy and Planning
• Food Access and Recovery
• Ad Hoc Farmlands Working Group
• Working with Island Campuses to increase research and education about sustainable food systems
• Island Updates
• Food Security Articles
• Urban food strategy unveiled
• Why Big Ag Won't Feed the World
• Heritage wheat movement "godmother" advocates for communities that connect people, plant, and place
• Report: Eating the Planet: Feeding and fuelling the world sustainably, fairly and humanely – a scoping study
• Dinner debate: Local food: Is it good or bad?
• Spiral Staircase Garden
• The true cost of cheap food
• Suburban henhouses may prove hard to block
• Supreme Court to Hear First Genetically Engineered Crop Case
• Models and Best Practices for Building Effective Local Food Systems in Ontario
• Food Systems and Public Health Disparities
• The 'wow' flavor factor gives small farms a place among high-volume producers
• Community Announcements and Submissions
• Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipes: Festive Salad and Kate's Island Quiche

Click to read

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
  • CR-FAIR-Fall Activities Report
  • Monthly Food Roundtables
  • Food Matters Forum and Regional Food Security Heroes
  • Regional Food Policy and Planning in the CRD
  • Food Access and Recovery
  • Ad Hoc Farmlands Working Group
  • Working with Island Campuses to increase research and education about sustainable food systems
  • CR-FAIR Annual Planning Meeting
  • Food Movement Momentum
  • Produce Availability Plan Supports Remote Communities
• Regional Updates
• Food Security Articles
  • LifeCycles Launches Mobile Greenhouse
  • International Scene, Report on the committee on world
  • Food Security of the FAO: Food Security Agenda moving forward!
  • Do Your Food Programs Make a Difference?
  • VIHA Food Security Hub Summary
  • Debunking Sustainable Food Myths
  • Report: The Economy Of Local Food In Vancouver
  • British Columbia Agriculture Minister Proclaimation: November 4th BC 4H Day
  • Victoria Downtown Market Working Group: call for sub-committee members
  • Community Announcements and Submissions
• Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipes: Fried Green Tomatoes and Moroccan Turkey Wraps

Click to read

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
  • CR-FAIR Check-in
  • Monthly Food Roundtables
  • Work to establish a Regional Food Policy Council at the CRD is well underway!
  • Working with Island Campuses to increase research and education about sustainable food systems
  • Working together to improve access to healthy diets in
  • BC’s Capital Region
  • Working together to improve access to farmland and farm viability
  • Plant A Seed, Harvest A Story: CR-FAIR’s Plant A Seed challenge
  • Inspiring Stories from Away
• Regional Updates
  • Update from the West Shore
  • Update from the Saanich Peninsula
  • Update from the Sooke Region
• Farmlands, Farm Viability and Food Policy
  • Victoria Downtown Market Working Group
  • Food Waste
  • City councillors harvest crops from food-growing project
  • Buy-local push prompts Ontario grocers to go independent
  • Report: Local Food isn't as Expensive as People Think
  • Could Food Shortages Bring Down Civilization?
  • Community Announcements and Submissions
• Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipe: Summer Blueberry Cake

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in BC's Capital Region
• Shout outs
• CR-FAIR Check-in
• Food and Research...Teaming up with Island Campuses
• May 2009 CR-FAIR Roundtable to be held at Terralicious
• Regional Updates
• Sooke Region update
• West Shore Region update
• Farmlands, Farm Viability and Food Policy
• Madrona Farm campaign and Farm Holidays
• Video on Meat Regulations
• Bill to ban Terminator reintroduced
• Community Announcements and Submissions
• New and Improved Regional Food Events calendar
• Local Foods Recipe: Potato and Nettle Soup

Click to read

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in the CRD
  • CR-FAIR: Looking back on 2008 and kicking off 2009
  • Update from the Sooke Region Food CHI (Community Health Initiative) Society
• Farmlands and Farm Viability
  • TLC The Land Conservancy: New conservation partner Lohbrunner Farm and Get out on the farm and meet the farmer
  • Update on Madrona Farm campaign
  • Canada, farmers and payment for ecological goods and services
• Food security courses and workshops
  • Upcoming workshops at ALM farm
  • Four courses at UVic on sustainable food
  • Spring courses at Gaia College: New courses plus old favourites
  • Growing an edible plant business
  • Westshore Centre for Learning and Training courses: Food & Landscape: Urban & Backyard Gardening
  • New certificate program: Sustainable Local Food for All Canadians
  • Online Food Security Resources
• Community Announcements and Submissions
• Events
• Local Foods Recipe: Roasted Buttercup Squash with Garlic and Rosemary

Click to read

Highlights:

• Planning for food security in the CRD
  • Update on the work of CR-FAIR, Fall 2008
  • Getting Food Issues on the Radar: A year of elections
• VIHA Food Security Update
• Feasting for Change: Reconnecting to Food, Land and Culture
• Learning, Growing and Recovering: VIPIRG Urban Agriculture
• Is our Farmland Growing Estates or Food in BC's Capital Region?
• Farm Assessment Review Consultations
• Island Chefs' Survival Challenge for Madrona Farm a Sweet Success
• Sooke Farm Forum and Harvest Feast
• Menu for the Future - sustainability discussion course
• Small Farming is the Future
• Local Foods Recipe: Blackberry and Hemlock Teas

Click to read

Highlights:

• CR-FAIR Regional Food Matters! Forum report
• Regional Food Charter and Food and Health Action Plan
• Regional Food Policy Council proposed
• Central Saanich Farmland Economic Viability Review Committee
• Access to adequate and healthy diets
• Growing our local food system
• New 'how to' resource for community food assessment
• It's time to Get Dirty! Urban Food Growing and LifeCycles' Urban Agriculture Programs
• Farm-land as Food-land
• How much do we really care about local food production?
• Summer Recipe: Local Strawberry Smoothie

Click to read

Highlights:

• Food Matters! Annual Regional Forum on Food Security
  
• Coming soon: Capital Region Food and Health Action Plan
  
• Food CHI – A Food Strategy for the Sooke Region
  
• The Case for Urban Agriculture
  
• BC Seeds Database 2008
• Feasting for Change: Reconnecting to Food, Land and Culture
  
• What does the future of farming look like in the CRD?
  
• Understanding Farm Taxes
  
• B.C. Agriculture Plan Goes Local for Global Benefit
  
• Update on Meat Processing Regulations
• Island Chef’s Collaborative to host Local Food Festival
  
• TLC's Agriculture Conservation Holidays
  
• Haliburton Community Organic Farm Seedling Nursery and Farm Stand
  

Click to read

Highlights:

• Emergency food providers - Getting Together to Tackle food issues
  
• Cost of Eating in BC Report
  
• The next step toward food security for the Comox Valley
• Protection and viability of farmland in the CRD
  
• FoodRoots local markets flourish
  
• Where to buy local - Farm Fresh Directory/Good Food Directory
  
• New amendments enhance lease opportunities for farmers
  
• "Spin" farming in Victoria
• Local and seasonal food calendars
  
• Calculating your food miles
• British Columbia seed security project
  

Click to read

Highlights:

• Kudos! Recognizing Local Actions for Food Security
  
• Food Matters! Regional Forum on Food Security - May 28, 2007
  
• Food Policy and Planning April 2007 Update
  
• Coming to a Menu near you! Island Chefs & Farmers Team Up
  
• Urban Agriculture Resolution passed by City of Victoria
  
• Is There a Pocket Market in Your Neighbourhood's Future?
  
• Langford Takes Action on Agricultural Land
  
• ALR Lands - CRD Maps on-line!
  
• Food Buying Decisions for Public Institutions on Vancouver Island
  
• Vancouver Food Charter is Adopted by City of Vancouver
  
• Food Self Reliance in BC?
• A Spring Recipe – Marvelous Nettles!

Click to read

Highlights:

• What we learned from Phase I
  
• What's Next? Phase II!
  
• Getting Down to Action - Strategic Working Sessions 2006/2007
  
• Did You Know?
  
• A Recipe to warm you on these cold and rainy days

Click to read

Highlights:

• How To Care In Tough Times
• Tracking Changes
• Boards Together - April 7, 2010
• The Problem with Thinking Charitably
• Important Message for BC Non-Profits from Enterprising Non Profits and Vancity Community Foundation
• Agency Announcements

Click to read

Highlights:

• Engaging and Investing in Communities and the Non-Profit Sector in a Time of Change
• An Ethic of Resistance - resistance and solidarity in human service work
• Office Solutions for Non-Profits
• Ministry of Children and Family Development - Community Advisory Council
• Agency Announcements

Click to read

Highlights:

• The intersection of agencies and funders: Keynote address by Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell family foundation
• Agency announcements

Click to read

Highlights:

• The Health of Non-Profits: Is this sector at risk?
• New Neuroscientific Research into the Teenage Brain
• VIHA Mental Health & Addiction Services Strategic Plan

Click to read

Highlights:

• BC’s new representative for children and youth, Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond keynote address
• AFSA and Community Social Planning Council formalize relationship
• New quarterlife counselling program
• Update on childcare
• Homeless Needs Survey 2007
• Funding and support for parenting education
• Grandparents Raising grandchildren

Highlights:

• Lessons from the past - Housing and Homelessness
• Editorial by Peggy Mahoney, Executive Director, Community Social Planning Council
• Poverty Reduction Plan for BC
• Local leader receives Order of Canada
• Quality of Life CHALLENGE 2008 - 2011
• Victoria Realtors® committed to 'quality of life' at home and in the community
• Volunteer profile
• Community Based Research
• Workplace Wellness at the Community Social Planning Council
• Communications - new Community Social Planning Council website launched
• Unsung Hero Award and Celebration

Click to read

Highlights:

• The Living Wage: Dialogue on the real costs of living
• Launching Phase Two of the Quality of Life CHALLENGE
• New research
• "Out of the box" hiring and retention practices
• Food Matters! – Matching supply and demand for local foods
• The intersection of non-profit agencies and funders
• New and changing faces at the Community Social Planning Council
• Volunteer profiles and seeking olunteers

Click to read

Highlights:

• Leadership and transition at the Community Social Planning Council
• Quality of Life CHALLENGE - Strategic Community Plan
• Relevant and reliable research reports
• Communicating reliable information ... electronically
• A Case Study on housing affordability
• Escape the HR Crunch - An update on the Labour Market Dialogues
• Early Years Reports
• Health of the non-profit sector
• Volunteer profile

Click to read (pdf)

Highlights:

• Outcomes from a Bold New Way of working
• More than a help wanted sign - the Labour Market Dialogues project
• CRD takes the lead on homelessness
• CR-FAIR - Food Matters!
• 2007 Report on Child Care in the Capital Region
• A Children’s agenda for BC
• Farewell...

Click to read (pdf)

Highlights:

• Pieces and patterns: in the midst of prosperity, poverty affects nearly three and half million
  Canadians
• An Inclusive Community: The Poverty Experience
• Safe Drinkable Tap Water: A Public Service
• Access to Dental Care
• Childcare Facts and Figures
• Getting to School: Emerging Transportation Needs
• Quality of Life Awards: Mentors Help Moms Stay on Their Feet
• The Living Wage
• Business Takes Action: Vintage Hottubs Hires for Positive Attitudes
• Collaborating for Community Change
• Choose to Act

Click to read (pdf)

Highlights:

• What does it cost to live in BC’s Capital Region? What do parents need to earn to support a family? The Living Wage 2006 - A dialogue on the real costs of living
• Vancouver Island Social Purchasing Portal
• Options for action

Click to read (pdf)

Highlights:

• Quality of Life CHALLENGE: Good things are happening, but there is still much to be done
• The Poverty Experience: Viewpoints of local employees
• Bottle Depot implements benefits plan
• Invest in long term social returns
• PLAY makes a difference for children
• Hide and go Homeless: Documentary goes national
• WHAT: Housing thousands of women

Click to read (pdf)

Highlights:

• How would you rate your quality of life?
• Investing in the Quality of Life CHALLENGE
• Indicators show trends in quality of life
• Central Saanich first to support food charter
• Striking a chord: Connecting music and mental health