Here's Some Buzz
April 12 - May 14, 2006 - Interested in learning more about hobby beekeeping? The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Vancouver Community College, is offering a course on the basics of good beekeeping management and honeybees. The 6-session course includes a “hands-on” field visit. Document of Professional Studies will be issued at the end of this course. For more information, see the complete course description (PDF) | | | Counting Down the Days... | Well, as yet another day of rain dawns, it doesn't feel like there is much to be excited about here on the "Wet Coast". But as each rainy day passes we're that much closer to the start of another market season! So, curl up with a warm cup of tea and hibernate for a while - the fresh greens of spring and delicious bounty of summer will be here before you know it!
Staying in for a while? Why not order up some salmon for dinner, some chocolates for your sweetie or some dips and spreads for snacking. Our vendors are out and about delivering the goods, regardless of the weather. See the Vendor Notes section below for more info.
In case you do venture out, check out our Community Events listings for some food-related adventures and enjoy! | | Chinese New Year Celebrations at Granville Island | | Gung Hei Fat Choy! What's a New Year's celebration without food! Check out the activities happening at Granville Island. Saturday, January 28, 11AM-5PM
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with four sessions of chefs’ cooking and demonstrating Chinese foods. Sunday, January 29, 9:30AM-5PM
Celebrate the first day of the Year of the Dog with a Lion dance procession, the Fortune God, calligraphy, and dancing demonstration, 9:30AM-12:30PM.
Food tastings and craft workshops will entertain the whole family 11AM-5PM.
Author Janice Wong presents her new book Chow - From China to Canada: Memories of Food and Family. |
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| Seasonal Recipe | | This recipe comes from "Down to Earth" - a cookbook by Chef David Alsop (Aphrodite's Cafe) and Susan Davidson (Glorious Garnish and Seasonal Salad). Sorrel-Leek Bake 4 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups stock or water
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 bunches French sorrel/other greens, chopped
1 lb white portion of leeks, sliced
1/4 cup hard cheese, grated
5 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp parmesan cheese grated for topping 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Beat eggs until light, add salt and pepper. 3. In medium bowl, add liquid gradually to cornmeal, stirring constantly until mixed. 4. Mix in eggs, then greens, leeks and cheese. 5. Grease 9 x 9 inch casserole with some of the olive oil. 6. Pour in leek and greens mixture and top with parmesan cheese and the rest of the olive oil. 7. Bake until set and browned on top, about 45 minutes. 8. Enjoy! To purchase your own copy of Down to Earth, contact Susan Davidson at 604-857-1400 | | | Vendor Notes and Marketplace | Iron Maiden Takes to the Streets
Iron Maiden Seafoods offers monthly delivery service to the lower Mainland area. The next delivery is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 24th. Carried over from last months specials they have 10 lb boxes of Queen Charlotte Island Coho Tails or Tips - $39 -Contact Gigi and Daryl at cfvironmaiden@shaw.ca Sweet Lessons
Kelly Boyd from Bad Girl Chocolates will be teaching a chocolate class at the Roundhouse Community Centre on February 8th from 7:00-9:30pm. Please contact the Roundhouse at 604-713-1800 or www.roundhouse.ca for more information or to register.
Bad Girl is prepping now for that most delicious of occasions - Valentine's Day. We're sure she has a gift just right for your someone special. Check out www.badgirlchocolates.com Houmous to Your Door
Bean Boy is taking orders for home delivery of his famous houmous. Place an order or inquire about flavours, delivery and prices at kevinmeadows@yahoo.com The next delivery day is January 26. Kneading a Buyer
Looking to purchase a bakery business with loads of potential? Allison Whipple of Brothaus Bakery is looking for a new owner for her Mission based business. Lots of opportunity for growth, all equipment included and owner will train. Find out more at 604-826-4173. Delights at Half the Price
Deni's Delights is having an End of the Season Sale for selected jam. Save up to 1/2 price on Blueberry, Carrot Cake, Cinnamon Pear! Call for information and to arrange pick-up or delivery (minimum $30 order for delivery).
Call Denise at (604) 431-1849 or e-mail at info@denisdelights.com All the King's Buckets
Ben, The Granola King has more than 20 large 5 gallon buckets that his honey comes in. These are food grade buckets that can't be reused for commercial purposes but are clean and sterilized. Lids are included. These buckets are $7.00 each if you were to buy them, but he is happy to give them away or trade for what have you. If you are interested send an email to beno@thegranolaking.com Good Deals on Great Skincare
Sunshine Coast Natural Gift Company are having a 50% or more off sale on many products while quantities last. This includes soaps, lotions, and other items. They are also offering a limited quantity of 30 ml face creams at $10 instead of the usual $15. Contact us at 1-888-844-7627 for details. [top] |
| | Articles for E-bits | | E-bits is YLFMS’ monthly on-line newsletter, reaching over 1,000 supporters of the Farmers’ markets in Vancouver. If you would like to submit an article relevant to our readers on topics such as local food systems, farming issues, food preparation, food issues, recipes, sustainable agriculture, land preservation, arts and crafts production and community economic development please contact Tara at tara@eatlocal.org. Only articles pertaining to the overall goals and mission of the organization will be considered for submission. The next issue of e-bits will be out February 15. Submission deadline: February 10, 2005. | ______________________________Newsletter Archive
Miss a past issue of e-bits? Get caught up: June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 | | What Will We Eat When the Oil Runs Out?
January 23, 7:30 - 9:30pm
Vancouver Public Library, Alma Van Dusen and Peter Kaye Rooms Dr. Wayne Roberts, Program Coordinator with the Toronto Food Policy Council, will bring his extensive experience in food security to explore the following questions. How can the world's population be fed without the extensive use of fossil fuels in the production, processing and distribution of food? What changes can we make to implement food security at the local level, while promoting popular education, public health and community control?
Admission is free.
Brought to you by Necessary Voices Society 5th Annual Chicken and Egg Dance
Bring your Valentine(s) to the Fifth Annual Chicken and Egg Dance, Saturday February 11
This year's funds are dedicated to furthering the work of the B. C. Organic Seed Project - an initiative to build a local network of organic seed growers. Half a dozen reasons to circle your calendar now! Last year's dance sold out.
1. Live music by the Sybaritic String Band and a caller too.
2. Family fun - no alcohol
3. Fabulous farm friendly fare food at affordable prices.
4. Lots of cool at the raffle and silent auction.
5. Great door prizes.
6. Help Organic Friends of the Future in their mission to defend the rights of organic farmers to produce and to promote local organics.
So, bring your neighbours, meet your farmers and do-si-do.
This year, partial proceeds will go to FarmFolk/CityFolk's Organic Seed Strategy.
Advance tickets: On sale January 15th at Aphrodites Cafe, 3598 West 4th Ave. Cost: a dozen dollars for adults, half a dozen for children. For more information, call Susan at 604-857-1400. Dine Out Vancouver January 20 to February 2
Eating local also means supporting our great local restaurant scene and local chefs - many of whom get their produce, cheese or meat from our farmers. Enjoy delicious meals at great prices during this special once-a-year promotion.
White Rock Off-Season Farmers Markets
Once a month until June, the White Rock Farmers Market will open indoors at the Elks Hall - 2 blocks east of their regular summer location. You'll see some familiar faces from our markets if you venture a little further east. Upcoming Market dates: Feb 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4 - 10am-1pm at the Elks Hall 1469 George St
For more info: www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca | Something to Think About | Strip farming in Vancouver
A typical 10-block-by-10-block area contains boulevard space equivalent to the world’s average family farm.
by Kevin Potvin, The Republic | [top] |
| Sideways in the South Okanagan Did you know "Ask a Chef" regular, Chef Dino Renaerts is recognized as the first Western Canadian Chef to receive a Sommelier Certificate? Check out Dino's article in Get It Canada magazine's premier issue - its all about wine from the South Okanagan. Chef Dino Renaerts is the Executive Chef at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Georgia Stay tuned for more details about this year's "Ask a Chef" program.
Heads Up! Stone Soup Festival 2006
Brittania Community Centre
Saturday, May 6
This year's theme: A taste of The Drive. Yum!
More info in upcoming issues | |
This issue of e-bits compiled by Roberta LaQuaglia