Further to the "Where to get started" post the following websites are great ways to stay on top of local food topics and find local producers.
BC Food Specialty Directory - http://www.bcspecialtyfood.ca
Vernon Food Action Society - http://foodaction.ca
Community food - http://www.communityfood.ca
Central Okanagan Food Policy Council - http://www.okanaganfood.com
BC Food Security Gateway - http://bcfoodsecuritygateway.ca
Kelowna Farmers Market - http://www.kelownafarmersandcraftersmarket.com
Urban Harvest - http://www.urbanharvest.ca
UBCO Preservation Farm and Research Initiative - http://www.preservationfarm.net
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Meghan - 100 Mile Diet Experience recap
How do I recap all that I have learnt through this 100 mile experience…I have been exposed to both the 100 Mile Diet book by Alisa Smith and J.B MacKinnon and the Canadian Food Network's 100 Mile Challenge in the past but only took the information in passing as interesting but something that would not be feasible for me. So this experience was one that I jumped at trying with both feet. It's funny, the changes that I have made have become so natural and my thinking process, so aware of food issues and the importance of local I can hardly go a day without mentioning it or questioning my choice or others close to me about their food choices.
I had to go into the a larger supermarket the other day and I just confirmed for myself that no matter how beautified the store layout may be or how they are marketing certain products to me, I am not interested in simply picking up food because it looks good and the price is right. I want to know more and I especially do not want food that can't be recognized as food by my elders. I know I am echoing Michael Pollan here but I really believe this.
I have been a "real" foodist for the last few years, questioning things that have to be manufactured in order to be eaten or have ingredients that you do not recognize as food or can even be read. But taking on the 100 mile diet has brought into focus first the abundance of food that we have (which I sort of new about but only during the main growing seasons) but also the very important steps of supporting our local economy and protecting our local environment. Having grown up around local apples all my life, I never questioned why you would enjoy apples during their peak seasons only and from where and how long I could get apples, I just knew this and would never go looking for an apple in May and June from another country because I wanted it. So why are other food products not the same because I honestly didn't know enough about them and they were always on the supermarket shelf when I wanted it.
Eating local has encouraged me to read label more then before (as I would look at ingredients and nutrition information) seeking to understand where the products have come from and honestly choosing products that do not even have labels and packaging.
Eating local has reconfirmed for me that everything in moderation is okay. As in rich butter and cheeses but if they are "natural" not due to labelling but due to actual content then that is okay for me.
Eating local has encouraged me to beware of what is in season and where I can get it. Building relationships and taking an interest in where our food comes from speaks volumes to understanding both our environment and the role that local food producers play in our economy.
Eating local has highlighted the need to spend money on things you believe in rather then buying what is convenient and accessible. As a student this is probably the hardest part of this challenge because money is not as readily available as it hopefully will be when I am working full time in a profession of my choice. But at the end of the day, I think about how important it is that I put fuel in my body that will enable me to succeed and if that means spending more money then that's a choice I am going to make. Don't get me wrong I have never been a ramen noodle person or kraft dinner eater, I am very fortunate that I have grown up in a family where we prepare food from scratch and eat whole grains, vegetables and fruit religiously. I am lucky that my food pantry and storage cellar have always had canned and fresh frozen food along with ancient grains and legumes that many people are just becoming familiar with, so I know I have a heads up. So I must move forward and encourage others to put their money where their mouth is and buy for your health, for your community and our planet.
I am sure I have missed many things in this reflection but nonetheless I have learnt so much and am very grateful for this experience and being able to share it with all of you.
Eat good food, preferably local and do not forget to taste what you are eating, as food is more then for sustenance it is an experience and one that should be shared.
I had to go into the a larger supermarket the other day and I just confirmed for myself that no matter how beautified the store layout may be or how they are marketing certain products to me, I am not interested in simply picking up food because it looks good and the price is right. I want to know more and I especially do not want food that can't be recognized as food by my elders. I know I am echoing Michael Pollan here but I really believe this.
I have been a "real" foodist for the last few years, questioning things that have to be manufactured in order to be eaten or have ingredients that you do not recognize as food or can even be read. But taking on the 100 mile diet has brought into focus first the abundance of food that we have (which I sort of new about but only during the main growing seasons) but also the very important steps of supporting our local economy and protecting our local environment. Having grown up around local apples all my life, I never questioned why you would enjoy apples during their peak seasons only and from where and how long I could get apples, I just knew this and would never go looking for an apple in May and June from another country because I wanted it. So why are other food products not the same because I honestly didn't know enough about them and they were always on the supermarket shelf when I wanted it.
Eating local has encouraged me to read label more then before (as I would look at ingredients and nutrition information) seeking to understand where the products have come from and honestly choosing products that do not even have labels and packaging.
Eating local has reconfirmed for me that everything in moderation is okay. As in rich butter and cheeses but if they are "natural" not due to labelling but due to actual content then that is okay for me.
Eating local has encouraged me to beware of what is in season and where I can get it. Building relationships and taking an interest in where our food comes from speaks volumes to understanding both our environment and the role that local food producers play in our economy.
Eating local has highlighted the need to spend money on things you believe in rather then buying what is convenient and accessible. As a student this is probably the hardest part of this challenge because money is not as readily available as it hopefully will be when I am working full time in a profession of my choice. But at the end of the day, I think about how important it is that I put fuel in my body that will enable me to succeed and if that means spending more money then that's a choice I am going to make. Don't get me wrong I have never been a ramen noodle person or kraft dinner eater, I am very fortunate that I have grown up in a family where we prepare food from scratch and eat whole grains, vegetables and fruit religiously. I am lucky that my food pantry and storage cellar have always had canned and fresh frozen food along with ancient grains and legumes that many people are just becoming familiar with, so I know I have a heads up. So I must move forward and encourage others to put their money where their mouth is and buy for your health, for your community and our planet.
I am sure I have missed many things in this reflection but nonetheless I have learnt so much and am very grateful for this experience and being able to share it with all of you.
Eat good food, preferably local and do not forget to taste what you are eating, as food is more then for sustenance it is an experience and one that should be shared.
Meghan - Friday, November 25th - Foodie Friday at UBCO
Today was the first Foodie Friday at UBCO. What is Foodie Friday you ask? Well it's an event put on by the Food Action Committee (FAC) at UBCO to increase awareness of food related issues and services on campus. The farmer's market that I attended back in Oct was organized by the Food Action Committee as well as hopefully many other both small and big events on campus around food issues.
Luckily for me having just completed by 100 mile diet, I had lots of resources (from having contacted local farms) as to where to find local dairy, vegetables and meat which we wanted to share with the campus community at our booth. Our goal was to increase the awareness of what local foods is at the very basic level which I personally feel we achieved. The Foodie Friday coordinator put together this great poster (right) where we listed what was in season when, so that people can become a bit more conscious of hopefully food choices they can make. We also used the great map that Amy created to help us defining the local area on a larger map so that we could show people our 100 mile diet radius and used this to tell people about the many possible food options within this area. We knew that although food is an important topic, we had to find a way to get people to come up to our booth and engage, so what better way then by offering food! We had wonderful food that was kindly donated by Urban Harvest, consisting of multicoloured carrots, different radishes (white, watermelon, and daikon), also some kale and we made a yogurt dip from local natural yogurt, garlic, salt and pepper. We also were partnered with the UBCO Preservation Farms project as we were collecting contact info of interested people in either a future CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and those interested in the FAC.
Although this was a three hour event, the time flew by as many people were interested in both tasting the local food, hearing about where and how to access it but also lots of talk about how do we prepare this or what do we eat it with. I was so pleasantly surprised that so many students especially were concerned about food and are making choices to consume organic food when possible. This is the first steps but we would also explain how the consideration and incorporation of local food purchasing results in a positive impact and investment in our own community. Many had not thought of that but liked the idea. So many people came by and said how supportive they were of working towards better food options and access on campus and for those people we make sure to collect their names because we need more student like that when it come time for future events like this one but also the Farmer's Market.
I must not forget to say that although many of the same messages came up in this experience as did the Farmer's Market booth I felt that many people were not hearing this for the first time. This was very exciting and a positive result giving hope to the fact that we are making progress and through increased events and discussion the importance of local food was starting to set in. Of course different locations will generate interest from different people but those that I saw at the Farmer's Market day chose to come out to that event, where as with our Foodie Friday we were located in the UNC at lunch time so our exposure was greater, which I felt made a difference.
I really enjoy doing these booths because I feel that I never give myself enough credit for what I know about local food. Through these experiences I see that I have the knowledge and can apply it in a way that can be explained to someone that is not familiar with the topic. I feel this is the best way to learn but also a great way to demonstrate your knowledge. I hope that in the future I can continue to engage our community on this issue as I feel strongly about local food and do feel that simple, basic changes can made a difference.
 |
| Foodie Friday at UBCO |
Although this was a three hour event, the time flew by as many people were interested in both tasting the local food, hearing about where and how to access it but also lots of talk about how do we prepare this or what do we eat it with. I was so pleasantly surprised that so many students especially were concerned about food and are making choices to consume organic food when possible. This is the first steps but we would also explain how the consideration and incorporation of local food purchasing results in a positive impact and investment in our own community. Many had not thought of that but liked the idea. So many people came by and said how supportive they were of working towards better food options and access on campus and for those people we make sure to collect their names because we need more student like that when it come time for future events like this one but also the Farmer's Market.
I must not forget to say that although many of the same messages came up in this experience as did the Farmer's Market booth I felt that many people were not hearing this for the first time. This was very exciting and a positive result giving hope to the fact that we are making progress and through increased events and discussion the importance of local food was starting to set in. Of course different locations will generate interest from different people but those that I saw at the Farmer's Market day chose to come out to that event, where as with our Foodie Friday we were located in the UNC at lunch time so our exposure was greater, which I felt made a difference.
I really enjoy doing these booths because I feel that I never give myself enough credit for what I know about local food. Through these experiences I see that I have the knowledge and can apply it in a way that can be explained to someone that is not familiar with the topic. I feel this is the best way to learn but also a great way to demonstrate your knowledge. I hope that in the future I can continue to engage our community on this issue as I feel strongly about local food and do feel that simple, basic changes can made a difference.
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