Featured - Food Security Network

Michelle sent me an email letting me know that our blog has been featured on The Food Security Network of NL e-news.

Here's a copy and paste of that email newsletter: (I've made a note or two in RED)

Food Security E-News for Newfoundland & LabradorEvents

1. 2009 Agricultural Festivals & Newfoundland & LabradorEvents1. 2009 Agricultural Festivals & Events
August, September and October are months filled with agricultural activities. Events include: St. John's Farm Field Day (Aug. 15th), Happy Valley - Goose Bay Big Land Fair (Sept. 10-12), Springdale Craft & Trade Show (Sept. 10-12), and Trinity-Conception Bay Agricultural Fall Fair (Sept. 15-21).

For a full listing, visit: http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/agric/festivals_events/2009%20Festivals%20and%20Events.pdf

2. Farmers' Markets across the Province Underway
HERE'S OUR FARMERS MARKET!!!!
Glenburnie - Birchy Head - Shoal Brook Farmers' Market - Saturdays from 9:30 - 1 pm, August - September. Come out and experience the second season of the Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook Farmers' Market - New producers are welcome! For more information, contact rcusson@nf.sympatico.ca

Conception Bay South Farmers' Market - 6 Sundays starting Labour Day weekend until the Thanksgiving weekend (September 6th - October 11). Market is to begin at 10am - 3:30pm at St. George's School located on 234 Conception Bay Highway. For more infomation, e-mail Tony Janes at ajanes@conceptionbaysouth.ca

Norris Point Farmers' Market - just finished their first try-out season in the month of July. Next year may be expanded into a flea market; with the new greenhouse being built and gardens digging in - keep an eye out for next season's fresh mix of crafts, greens, and foods! Details on this year's market and more, contact Joanie Cranston at 709.458.2120

Fogo Island Farmers' Market - recently formed a Fogo - Change Islands Farmers' Co-op! Islanders are looking to have the first market before the end of August & are getting their buckets ready for the Partridge Berry Festival in October. Contact Winston Osmond at 709.658.3418 for more details.

Corner Brook Farmers' Market - Every Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm until October 31st at the Majestic Lawn in Corner Brook! Volunteers wanted, contact info@wecnl.ca

St. John's Farmers' Market - Saturdays from 9am - 2pm at the Lion's Club Chalet on Bonaventure in St. John's! Educational workshops hosted weekly at 11am by FEASt (Food Education Action St. John's). Volunteers wanted, contact volunteer@stjohnsfarmersmarket.org

3. Edible Plant Hike at MUN Botanical Garden
When: Sunday, August 23, 2-4 pmWhere: MUN Botanical GardenInstructor: Todd Boland, Research HorticulturistJoin Todd Boland for a walk in the boreal forest, and discover the many hidden culinary treasures. Find our about uses for cattails, and why the best way to get rid of weeds is to eat them. Pre-registration is required for the workshop. To register, please contact 709.737.8590, Fee: $25 (HST included)

4. FEASt Open Garden Day
When: Sunday, August 30th, 1pm-5pmWhere: Around St. John'sCome out and join others on the first FEASt Open Garden Day! People are invited to walk and bicycle around and take a look at all of the different ways food is being grown in the city! If you are growing food and are interested in listing your garden as a space for the tour, contact local.feast@gmail.com.

Upcoming…

"FRESH!" The Movie in Communities across Newfoundland & LabradorFSN is bringing the new film "FRESH!" by Ana Sofia Joanes to communities across the province this fall. This film illustrates the current state of the industrial food system and what is being done to make positive change. It is a great example of what is possible through a little community action! Check out the preview at http://www.freshthemovie.com/
FSN Member groups can contact info@foodsecuritynews.com to host a screening.

News

1. Job Opportunity: Workshop Coordinator, Bonne Bay Marine Station, Norris Point
The coordinator will work with a steering committee consisting of researchers and local stakeholders to help with the organization, design, advertising and delivery of a public town hall meeting and workshop to be held at the Bonne Bay Marine Station in Norris Point in late October 2009. The meeting will profile some of the existing and new research findings on the Bonne Bay marine ecosystem, food security and fisheries.
Time: August 31st - November 13th; 35 hours/week
Salary: at the rate of $32,872 per annum/ $18.06 per hour
For more information, contact Janet Oliver at joliver@mun.ca or 709.737.7551

2. Support Local Food Banks!
Food Banks from across Newfoundland & Labrador are having difficulty keeping their shelves stocked. There are many ways people can help serve their local food banks, from donating where you can to allowing discounts on purchases for event tickets when people bring a non-perishable food item. To learn more about food sharing, and what you can do visit: http://www.cfsa.nf.net/

3. FSN has moved offices!
After a great year in the downtown St. John's area, FSN has moved offices to a new location -
44 Torbay Rd, Suite 110 St. John's, NLA1A 2G4
Office hours are 9am-4pm, Monday - Friday starting September 1st. Phone lines aren't running yet (soon!), but we look forward to welcoming you to our new space!

4. "Buying Local: Supporting Local Producers"
Teleconference Available On-LineFSN hosted our first teleconference of an ongoing series on Monday, July 27th around the important topic of Buying-local, with Keynote Speaker Stephen Moss from the Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation presenting the "Keep it in Kittiwake!" Campaign. For those who were unable to attend the event, you can access the powerpoint and recorded presentation, along with links to the "Keep it in Kittiwake!" campaign at: http://foodsecuritynews.com/food-security-events.html

5. New FSN Food Security Initiative Inventory Now Available!
FSN has been working on developing an inventory of Food Security Initiatives from across the Province and it is now available for the public! The inventory includes community gardens, kitchens, food banks, networks, and more. It will be continually growing, changing, and adapting so please contact us with any new information that should be included.
View the Inventory at: http://foodsecuritynews.com/Publications/FSN%20Inventory.pdf

6. Start Snapping: 2nd Annual FEASt Photo Contest
If anyone from our treehouse garden is interested, let's choose a photo and submit it! What do you think?
This summer, be sure to capture your best local food moments - growing, harvesting, preparing, and/or eating. A dozen photos with be selected and featured on FEASt's 2009 Local Food is Beautiful cards, with a grand prize of a wonderful gift basket of local goodies!
Email photos to local.feast@gmail.com, along with your name and contact info. Deadline: October 1, 2009

FS Initiatives in NL…

Highlighting: The Gros Morne Region (That's US!!)
The Gros Morne region has been busy planning, designing and implementing several food security initiatives over the past couple years. From a Food Security Workshop hosted by the Food Security Network of Newfoundland & Labrador as part of the "Put Food First!" project and by the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism, to several community gardens and farmers' markets in both Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook and Norris Point. This is another great example of the amazing work that can happen when communities come together to realize their dreams!

Resources

1. Treehouse Garden: A community Garden Blog from the Treehouse Family Resource Centre in Norris Point: http://www.treehousegarden.blogspot.com/

2. Local Food isn't as Expensive as people think!http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/274391
3. The Sustainable Table: Serving Up Healthy Food Choiceshttp://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/eatlocal/#what
4. The adverse effects of food insecurity in Canadahttp://journal.cpha.ca/index.php/cjph/article/view/1661/1845
5. Lisa M. Hamilton's Books: "Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness" & "Farming to Create Heaven on Earth"http://www.lisamhamilton.com/book/book.html
6. Would Menu Labels Help us Eat Healthier?http://www.lavidalocavore.org/diary/2220/do-menu-labels-help-us-eat-better



http://www.foodsecuritynews.com/



Thanks Michelle for sending along more proof that word is getting out about the success of our Community Garden!