Panel on Food Security; Migrant Worker Rights; Environment versus Jobs

March 6 2010, 9:30am, Maritime Labour Centre
Part of the Redistribution of Wealth: Economic and Environmental Justice from Indigenous and Faith Perspectives Conference, March 5‐7. More info at: http://www.interfaithjustpeace.org/program.php

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New Westminster Food Mapping Event

Tuesday, March 9th, 6:30-8:30pm
Olivet Baptist Church, 613 Queens Avenue@ 7th Street, New Westminster

The New Westminster Community Food Action Committee will be hosting our food mapping event this coming Tuesday evening from 630pm to 830pm.

In this event, you will be learning about what our community’s current status is in regards to access to food. The main part of the event will be mapping out the various types of food outlets in our community. This could range from major grocery stores to your favorite local bakery. The map will help those who are new to the city, and those are unaware of certain food services find their way through our city.

Event details can be found in the poster.

RSVP @ newwestfood@gmail.com OR Phone 604 522 3443 EXT 30

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Upcoming Workshops @ the Sharing Farm in Richmond

March 13th 10am-12pm – Growing & Using Medicinal Herbs – Join acclaimed author Robin Wheeler in the fundamentals of growing and using medicinal herbs. Hosted by the Richmond Food Security Society. To register, contact arzeenahamir@shaw.ca or call (604) 727-9728. Cost $25.

March 13th 1-3pm – Personal Food Security – How food secure are you as an individual or family? Do you have access to fresh, locally-sourced produce? Can you preserve food while it’s in season? Do you cook? These are just some of the questions that Robin Wheeler, author of Food Security for the Faint of Heart will answer. Cost $25. To register, contact arzeenahamir@shaw.ca or call (604) 727-9728.

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Rhizome Free Store: Seeds, Plant Cuttings, and Garden Stuff

Sunday, March 14, 5 – 8pm
Rhizome Cafe, 317 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Share what you have! Get what you need!
Each month, the Rhizome Free Store has a different theme, allowing us to share our resources with each other. This month, we’ll be sharing garden stuff: seeds, plant cuttings, and gardening tools.
Bring things to share! Come browse the free store, and choose some new (to you) items.
Free!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150287142575001

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Growing Out of Hunger: featuring Will Allen, CEO, Growing Power Community Food Centre, Milwaukee & Chicago

Thursday, March 25, 7-9pm
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive (and 14th), Vancouver, BC
(Transit: Take the #20 Victoria bus from the Commercial/Broadway skytrain station)

Fresh from visiting the White House to assist First Lady Michelle Obama launch an initiative to end child obesity, MacArthur Genius Award winner Will Allen will be the featured speaker at our Inaugural Welch Community Dialogue. Join us to find out how this urban farmer is feeding 10,000 people and starting a community food revolution out of his inner-city farms in Milwaukee and Chicago.

This event is free, however pre-registration is required and spaces are filling up fast.
Click here to RSVP now!

For more information on this event and Will Allen, click here to visit our website.

Sponsored by the Bruce and Lis Welch Community Award, in partnership with the Real Estate Foundation of BC and SFU Centre for Dialogue (Planning Cities as if Food Matters) with special thanks to Nature’s Path.

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Community Kitchen Leadership Workshop

Thurs, March 25, 2010, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave

During this one day workshop you will have the opportunity to find out more about community kitchens, different ways a group can work, and how you can lead or start a community kitchen. Select ONE of the following dates: 
 Thurs, March 25, 2010, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
. Thurs, June 3, 2010, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. 
Location: Vancouver Food Bank, 1150 Raymur Ave. For more information: Contact Darlene Tanaka at darlenet@foodbank.bc.ca, 604-876-0659 ext 105

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Burnaby Food Forum

Wednesday, March 31, 2010: 8:30am – 1:30 pm
Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby

Join us for a community forum on the future of food in Burnaby, hosted by Burnaby Food First. Local community groups will showcase their successful projects, participants will discuss food issues in Burnaby and plan for a resilient local food system. Lunch provided.

Everyone is welcome. Please register by emailing: burnabyfoodforum(at)gmail.com

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Food Skills for Families

Mondays 2 pm -5 pm. Starting Monday Feb. 15th 2010.

Are you interested in cooking healthy, tasty food, on a smart budget while learning new recipes and skills? Join us for a free 6 week course. Interested? Leave name and phone number with front desk at REACH or call Carol Ranger 604-254-3987 ext 2

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Green Shed – Pandora Park Community Garden Design Competition

Pandora Park Community Garden Society invites designers of all kinds to generate buildable designs for a storage shed and outdoor common space for a new community garden that will showcase sustainable building strategies and materials. The winning design will be built by a team of volunteers over the summer of 2010.

For more information visit http://www.greenshedcompetition.com/.

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Job Postings

Executive Director, LifeCycles Project Society

LifeCycles Project Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health and urban sustainability in the Capital Regional District. We work proactively to promote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research and educational activities and youth skills development programs. Through partnerships we strengthen individual, community and global health. 

15 hours a week at a rate of $25.00/hr post probation. 3-month probation period at $23.00/hr. Application deadline: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. APPLICATION DIRECTIONS: Applications will only be accepted via email to Katie@lifecyclesproject.ca. Please include a cover letter and résumé, addressed to the attention of the LifeCycles Hiring Committee.

Full posting at www.lifecyclesproject.ca

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Volunteer Opportunities

Guerrilla Gardening Coordinator  – Vancouver Public Space Network

A love of green mixed with a dash of stealth: The VPSN is looking for someone who’d like to lead the green guerilla team in the greening of underutilized city spaces. Nothing illegal required, just a sense of fun, creativity and a little organization. Last year’s activities included making and spreading seed balls, vacant lot clean up and cultivation, and spreading the hardy goodness of kale. There is already a crew of people interested and ready to create new projects. For more information, visit http://vancouverpublicspace.ca/index.php?page=volunteer-job-list or contact info [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

Grandview Woodlands Food Connection

The Grandview Woodlands Food Connection is a grassroots food security group supporting residents to access healthy and affordable food. We are developing a number of community based food initiatives, including community gardening, canning workshops, arts based food initiatives, and more and are looking for individuals interested in hands-on project coordination. Check out our projects at http://gwfoodconnection.blogspot.com. Call Ian @ 604-718-5895

The Food 2 U Program

The Food 2 U Program is a partnership between the Vancouver Food Bank and Vancouver Coastal Health. The program delivers food to seniors or persons with a disability most Friday mornings and is looking for volunteer drivers (with their own car) and passengers. Mileage will be reimbursed for those using their vehicles. Volunteers must be able to work well with people and be physically able to lift 20-25 lb grocery bags. Familiarity with the downtown area is an asset. For further information, please contact Carrah Boume at (604)215-3931.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

Volunteer on an organic farm in Canada or abroad in return for food, accommodation and education on organic farming!
Canada: http://www.wwoof.ca/
International: http://www.wwoof.org/natorgs.asp

For a full list of organizations working on local food and food security initiatives in the Lower Mainland, click here!

Scholarships/ Funding Opportunities

SFPIRG Donations Fund

SFPIRG, SFU’s social and environmental justice resource centre has funding opportunities to support student organizing both on campus and in the community. Funding is available for projects, campaigns, organizations, workshops, conferences and through in-kind support.

http://sfpirg.ca/index.cgi?d=&g=/pirg/donations.html

Lifelong Learning Scholarship Program – Columbia Institute

The Columbia Institute Awards program is one of the few scholarship programs designed to support the financial needs of adult learners interested in re-training and skills development. Join the growing community of Columbia Award winners.

The Columbia Institute is now accepting applications for our Awards Program. You may be eligible to receive one of 14 scholarships valued at $1000 each. Qualifying applicants may renew their award up to four years!

For more information, visit http://www.columbiainstitute.ca/scholarships.

The Joseph Sasvari Memorial Scholarship Fund

BC Multicultural Health Services Society (BCMHSS) and the Umbrella Multicultural Health Cooperative are accepting applications for the Joseph Sasvari Scholarship Fund for 2010.

Purpose of the scholarship fund: To assist immigrants and refugees in British Columbia to more quickly integrate into society, further contribute to the development of their communities, and promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

A scholarship of $500 will be granted this year to a deserving individual whose has a history of volunteering in their community and who requires financial support to further their education.

Download the application here

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Have a posting to share with us? Email us at info@sfulocalfood.ca and we’ll post it on our site!