Few things are closer to our hearts (and stomachs) in Edmonton than food. Local food has become the buzz of the city with everything from farmers’ markets to foodie projects to farming advocacy becoming the hot topics in YEG recently.
After the success of The Local Good ‘s previous Green Drinks Celebrating Local Food just in the fall and it was a packed-house success, we knew that we had to hold another one. What better time to celebrate food than spring?! As it is the season of growth and new beginnings, we hope that our May event will allow people to connect with their local farmers, restauranteurs, educators, and foodies right from the start of the growing season and that many a productive relationship will be formed between farms and tables across the region.
On Wednesday, May 1 from 7 to 9 p.m at The Common, you’ll get the resources you need to make local food a part of your life all year round (yes, even during the winter!). We have an amazing line-up of local food changemakers joining us to share their exciting new project, bountiful harvest and love of food with you.
Meet Carol from 10 Mile Meal
Not that long ago, every Alberta small town served as its own food hub. Meat, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and wild game were easy to find. Apples grew on trees, cattle frolicked in the fields, and fish teemed in the lakes. And everything was easy. Right?
Okay, maybe it was never quite that pastoral. Farming is hard work — just ask the dedicated folks you see at our farmers markets each week selling their sweat equity. Imagine your locally grown meal cooked from the recipes of farmland matriarchs who spent a lifetime learning how to perfect their perogy filling and apple pie crust. Then imagine a renown local chef has put his fresh, personal spin on the flavours. And then, douse the whole thing with delicious, regional wines.
That’s what the 10 Mile Meal is about. It’s one part challenge — showcase the freshest, tastiest local ingredients that we can find within 10 miles of our dinner location; and one part celebration— understand the food traditions of the area in which our feast is harvested and held.
Find out more: http://www.10milemeal.com/
Meet Agnes from Heritage Chickens
The University of Alberta Heritage Chicken Project offers Edmontonians the unique opportunity to adopt heritage breed chickens in exchange for a $75 donation and a weekly supply of eggs laid by your very own adopted hen. Although these breeds used to be commonly found on local farms throughout Alberta, they are unfortunately in danger of becoming obsolete. As backyard chickens are not yet allowed in Edmonton, the U of A will do all of the housing, feeding, and caring for the birds on your behalf, in addition to conducting research aimed at conserving these birds’ unique genetic lines. A pilot program is currently underway, and the project will be expanding in fall 2013. If you’re interested in adopting one of their “girls”, you can fill out an online form and get the adoption process started. Did we mention that you get to name her, too?!
Find out more: http://heritagechickens.ca/
Meet Graham from Sparrow’s Nest Organics
This Edmonton-area Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) garden links local consumers who want fresh, organically grown produce, with a local farmer. Members buy a “Share” in springtime, paying for their summer’s vegetables when the farms need cash to start another growing season.
As the garden grows and produce matures, you pick up your equal “share” every week, at one of two locations in Edmonton. The produce is washed, boxed and labeled. Sharers select from a menu board vegetables available that week: each week is different. Produce doesn’t get any fresher.
Sparrow’s Nest CSA brings Edmonton families closer together, and brings the farmers closer to the families who directly support them. As part of this connection, sharers provide two days to help at the farm. This helps keep costs “in the family”, so to speak. On a work day, a group of six or eight people can help polish off a whole list of chores in a matter of hours, leaving time for sharing a meal, going for a walk, or just hangin’ around a fire.
Find out more: http://www.sparroworganics.com/
Meet Maureen from Green & Gold Community Garden
The Green & Gold Community Garden is a joint project of the School of Public Health and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
The garden occupies about two acres on the University of Alberta’s South Campus. It is run entirely by volunteers—the labour, seeds and plants are all donated. A large variety of vegetables, including many heirloom varieties, herbs and flowers are grown and made available during market hours for a donation.
All proceeds from the garden donations go to the Tubahumurize Association, in Rwanda. Tubahumurize is a not-for-profit organization that supports socially and economically marginalized women through counselling, vocational training, health education, and employment opportunities. Most of the women who benefit from Tubahumurize are survivors of the Rwandan genocide; many are widows, orphans, HIV-infected or victims of physical violence.
Find out more:
Meet John & Kirsta from Slow Food Edmonton
Slow Food Edmonton is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the food traditions of Edmonton and Northern Alberta. From animal breeds and heirloom varieties of seeds, fruits and vegetables to handcrafted wine and beer, farmhouse cheeses and other artisanal products; these foods are a part of our cultural identity. They reflect generations of commitment to the land and devotion to the processes that yield the greatest achievements in taste. These foods, and the communities that produce and depend on them, are constantly at risk of succumbing to the effects of the fast life, which manifests itself through the industrialization and standardization of our food supply and degradation of our farmland. By reviving the pleasures of the table, and using our tastebuds as our guides, Slow Food Edmonton believes that our food heritage can be saved.
Find out more: http://www.slowfoodedmonton.ca/
Meet Anita from Edmonton Permaculture
- care of people
- care of the earth
- share all surplus
Update: Green Drinks is now sold out! Thanks so much for your support everyone! See who’s attending here.
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