Parkview Health Fair


In November the Operation Smoothie Interns took to the streets to gather information for Operation Smoothie and our first event  was the Parkview Secondary School Health Fair.

Along with several other health and nutrition groups, we set up a table in the school gym to help educate students on the importance of healthy, nutritious and local food. Meanwhile, we had students complete surveys to gauge their interest in a project like Operation Smoothie.

The response was overwhelming. Kids love smoothies, and most would even be willing to try a smoothie with vegetables in it. And for kids who really love their veggies, we brought along a giant carrot suit...

That's right! A giant carrot suit! Everyone loved it (including intern Rebbecca), and we gave away some pretty cool prizes for everyone who was brave enough to try it on and consent to having their picture posted online for all the world to see.

If you put on the carrot suit, but can't find your picture here, you can see the rest of them at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=259250&id=506649175&l=92232797a0

Operation Smoothie!

Welcome, new recruits, to OPERATION SMOOTHIE.

Operation Smoothie is a stand alone program run by Hamilton Eat Local. We are working with Hamilton Partners in Nutrition to help provide healthy and nutritious breakfast smoothies to Breakfast Clubs of Canada affiliated elementary schools. Our goal is to introduce the kids of Hamilton to locally grown and produced food through our delicious smoothies.

Join Operation Smoothie today!!!

In the coming weeks we will be posting more info about Operation Smoothie,smoothie recipes, videos and updates on the project for our breafast club kids to read.

Stay tuned for more Operation Smoothie updates!

FRESH Screening This Friday!!!


COME TO THE SPECIAL FRESH SCREENING ON ART CRAWL NIGHT......
Friday December 10 - Sky Dragon Centre @ 27 King William.

This Friday December 10th, Hamilton Eat Local will be screening  the documentary Fresh  at Sky Dragon Cafe @27 King William.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the screening will begin at 7pm. Following the film there will be discussion led by local organic farmer Chris Krucker of ManoRun Farms.  Krucker is an active voice in the local, organic and community supported agriculture (CSA) movements.

Read more about his big ideas in the Hamilton Spec:
http://www.downtowndundas.ca/File/Spec_article_Krucker.pdf

The evening wraps up at around 9pm, so theres plenty of time for you to enjoy Artcrawl. Light refreshments will be provided. There is a 5$ (or PWYC) admission fee which will go towards funding Eat Local's new initiative, Operation Smoothie.

About FRESH:

With the current onslaught of documentaries and books describing the food industry evils, Ana Sofia Joanes “Fresh” has a different outlook. Driven towards practical solutions, the movie “Fresh” looks at industrial farming’s effect on our soil, health and livestock. While the film is more folksy in tone than the recent “Food, Inc.” (NY Times), it still provides lots of hard evidence about the current food industry. Featuring food activists like Joel Salatin, Will Allen and Michael Pollan this 70-minute film should fill the audience with the inspiration and knowledge to promote change within the current food model.


For more information about FRESH, check out the website @
http://www.freshthemovie.com/

Hope to see you all there!

Rural Routes Food Day Celebration Photos



Katrina Simmons, Hamilton Spectator "Eat Local" Columnist was the guest speaker.



Everyone was given a chance to buy some local food en route at the Plan B Organic Farm.



Free range chickens were running everywhere.



Litter-less lunch made by Bread and Roses Cafe, in compostable packaging was eaten at the Plan B Farm.

Three-month internships with Hamilton Eat Local are back!!!

Hamilton Eat Local is hiring two Three-month Interns, November 15 to February 15





YMCA YOUTH ECO INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
This position is being funded through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP). This program places unemployed people aged 15 to 30 from diverse backgrounds into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, will help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector.

This project is a collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA Canada, with funding provided by the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The YEIP encourages applicants from visible minority, Aboriginal, immigrant, refugee and traditionally marginalized communities to apply, and is committed to providing employment supports wherever possible.

Applicants must be 15 to 30 years of age to qualify. Applicants must also be accepted by the YEIP once the hiring decision has been made. Only those selected for an interview by the project manager will be contacted regarding their application, with interviews taking place at the office of Environment Hamilton.

The two 3-month interns would visit selected breakfast, early morning meal and snack programs that are part of Hamilton Partners In Nutrition (HPIN’s) group of 120 child and youth nutrition programs. After a period of orientation and training, the two interns will be demonstrate easy smoothie-making techniques and serve samples to the predominantly elementary school-aged youths who participate in these programs.

Interns will also:
  • Act as support staff to take part in Hamilton Eat Local’s public events
  • Help with presentations, such as film screenings of food related films across the city
  • Offer presentations to interested stakeholders, supporting our work with HPIN and other initiatives
  • Collaborate on writing a smoothie handbook for city-wide distribution
  • Other tasks in support of Hamilton Eat Local’s new “Operation Smoothie”
  • Interns will report to the Project Manager and will also need to submit progress reports to the YEIP on a regular basis
For more information about Hamilton Eat Local please visit:

Applicants are asked to submit resumes only (2 pages maximum) to the Project Manager:


Resumes must be received by Friday November 5, 2010 to be eligible. Queries should be sent only to the above e-mail address. Please do not call the Project Manager or the Environment Hamilton office about this job posting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the availability of these internships is entirely contingent on the successful raising of funds for the operating costs of Operation Smoothie. Successful candidates would be notified on or before Friday November 12, 2010.

Rural Routes World Food Day Celebration



This Saturday, October 16, Rural Routes has planned a day of exciting local food activities to mark the World Food Organization’s annual World Food Day (this year’s annual theme is “United Against Hunger”). The event starts at the Bread & Roses Cafe/Sky Dragon Centre with an Organic Fair Trade Coffee Roasting Demonstration at 10 am, before being taken away on a bus at 11 am, from outside Sky Dragon Center (location here). The first stop on the bus will be the Plan B Organic Farm, where “Eat Local” columnist for the Hamilton Spectator Katrina Simmons will give a presentation. This will be followed by a couple activities around the farm. After Plan B, the route will continue to Lindley’s Farm and Market. Here you will get and opportunity to visit the corn maze for free, or just walk around participating in other activities (some might have additional costs) and do some shopping at the store. The bus will return to the Bread & Roses Cafe around 4pm. The trip will include a light lunch.

Tickets can be purchased at the Bread & Roses Café for $10 each, or $8 for seniors and $5 for children (Cash Only). The bus will be going in rain or shine, so dress appropriately and remember to bring your own shopping bag (s).

100-mile Thanksgiving Dinner




There does not seem to be anything that is more in the thanksgiving spirit than having a locally sourced feast. For the second year in a row, McMaster’s Outdoor Club held the 100 Mile Thanksgiving Dinner at the Red Door Church. Hannah Webb and other members of the Outdoor Club put together a massive meal that consisted of: five locally raised turkeys, home made gravy and stuffing, potatoes, beets, carrots, green beans, cranberry sauce all finished with some delicious apple crumble. While Plan B Organic Farms helped source some delicious vegetables, the seasonings were surprisingly subdued. However, even with no pepper, citrus or vinegar, the dinner was delicious and creative.



Based so close to the university campus, most of the hungry participants were McMaster students and faculty, which led to some new friendships and interesting discussion about all areas around food. Before the dinner started a short guest presentation helped set the mood while everyone sat around with rumbling stomachs. Once the food came out, there was a horde surrounding the table trying to quickly grab as much food as possible. As the time progressed, people would continue to return for seconds, thirds and even fourths. There was so much food that everyone was waddling home, looking fully satisfied and a little sleepy.

The "100 mile" concept describes a lifestyle of eating and purchasing food that has only been raised, grown and processed within 100 miles. The term "100-Mile Diet" started with a couple, who were journalists in Vancouver. They decided to spend a year eating only food that was grown, harvested and processed within 100 miles of where they live. They were fed up with the idea that most food travels between 1500-2500 miles, and as such the book, The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating was created. During the year they wrote about the experience, interactions with friends and their own state of mind. It has become a cult novel in Canada and among international foodies, with a big following and people hosting events like this 100 Mile Thanksgiving Dinner.

Ottawa Street Farmers' Market first ever Apple Pie contest


Local amateur pie making enthusiasts gathered to present their freshly baked pies, made with local apples on Saturday September 25th to be judged at Ottawa Street Farmers' Market first ever Apple Pie contest. One of the rules was that apples had to be purchased from the farmers' market.
The judges were Jeff Crump, Executive Chef for Ancaster Mill (on the far right), Brenda Fletcher of Fletcher Fruit Farm (in the baseball cap), Councillor Sam Merulla (to the left) and teen Mitchell Despinic.
Congratulations to Sandy Robinson for baking the winning apple pie. She won a basket of fresh apples and a Limoncello gift certificate. It was a close contest, as all the pies were tasty!
We look forward to next year's contest!

Ottawa Street Farmers' Market holds its first ever Apple Pie Baking Contest!


On Saturday Sept. 25, 2010 show off your skills at the first annual OSFM apple-pie
baking contest.
Join us in front of the market office at 11:00 a.m. as our judges sample the entries and decide whose pie will go home with the coveted First Prize!

Want to enter the bake off? Entry forms and contest rules are available at all apple vendors at the Ottawa Street Farmers’ Market.
Contact Caroline Merritt, Market Manager at: (905) 297-5250 or email: info@ottawastreetfarmers.com
204 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton.
www.ottawastreetfarmers.com
The market is open every Friday and Saturday, 7-3, year round

Amazing opportunity: Hamilton Eat Local is now hiring TWO Three-month Interns!


Hamilton Eat Local is now hiring two Three-month Interns
Full-time - November 15 to February 15

YOUTH ECO INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
This position is being funded through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP). This program places unemployed people aged 15 to 30 from diverse backgrounds into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, will help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector.


This project is a collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA Canada, with funding provided by the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The YEIP encourages applicants from visible minority, Aboriginal, immigrant, refugee and traditionally marginalized communities to apply, and is committed to providing employment supports wherever possible.

Applicants must be 15 to 30 years of age to qualify.  Applicants must also be accepted by the YEIP once the hiring decision has been made. Only those selected for an interview by the project manager will be contacted regarding their application, with interviews taking place at the office of Environment Hamilton in late September.

The two 3-month interns would visit selected breakfast, early morning meal and snack programs that are part of Hamilton Partners In Nutrition (HPIN’s) group of 120 child and youth nutrition programs. After a period of orientation and training, the two interns will be demonstrate easy smoothie-making techniques and serve samples to the predominantly elementary school-aged youths who participate in these programs.

Interns will also:

Act as support staff to take part in Hamilton Eat Local’s public events

Help with presentations, such as film screenings of food related films across the city

Offer presentations to interested stakeholders, supporting our work with HPIN and other initiatives

Collaborate on writing a smoothie handbook for city-wide distribution

Other tasks in support of Hamilton Eat Local’s new “Operation Smoothie”

Interns will report to Project Manager and will also need to submit progress reports to the YEIP on a regular basis

For more information about Hamilton Eat Local please visit:

http://environmenthamilton.org/view/page/eat_local

Applicants are asked to submit resumes only (2 pages maximum) to the Project Manager:

kburson.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org

Resumes must be received by Friday November 5, 2010 to be eligible. Queries should be sent only to the above e-mail address. Please do not call the Project Manager or the Environment Hamilton office about this job posting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the availability of these internships is entirely contingent on the successful raising of funds for the operating costs of Operation Smoothie. Successful candidates would be notified on or before Friday November 12, 2010.

Earth to Table Bread Bar now open on Locke Street!

Opening at long last is the Earth to Table Bread Bar on Locke Street, near Aberdeen. The collaboration between Executive Chef Jeff Crump and Pastry Chef Bettina Schorman of the Ancaster Mill is an oasis of cool on a street that has a culinary scene that features a growing local food presence. Red Fife wheat loaves, delectable and buttery pastries, and pizza is on its way. Check out the goodies and remember: good ingredients matter!

In case you missed it...


Saturday's Cultivating Community event at the Hamilton Mountain Farmers' Market was a great success! The highlight of the day was the series of cooking demonstrations by private chef Wayne Baker. Using ingredients that could be found at the Mountain Market (with a few minor exceptions), he prepared three delicious dishes. The appetizer was a light and tasty Insalata Caprese. For the main course, Wayne prepared the vegetarian form of a Nova Scotia classic, Hodgepodge. Dessert was Fruit Foster - a warm fruit sauce spooned over ice cream.

Here are the recipes Wayne handed out:

APPETIZER

Insalata Caprese

2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
2 sprigs fresh basil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp. salted capers (optional)
¼ lb. pitted black olives (optional)
1 container brocconcini or a round mozzarella, about ½ kg (1 lb.), sliced

Slice the tomatoes into rounds about 1.25 cm. (½“) and put them on a platter/plate. The tomato slices can be as thick or as thin as desired. Wash and remove the leaves from the basil stems and place whole over the tomato slices (if necessary more than one leaf can be placed on the tomato slice to cover the slice). Slice the brocconcini/mozzarella into rounds about the same thickness as the tomato slices and lay them over the basil leaves (the cheese should also be about the same size as the tomato slice, so piece together, if necessary). If using the capers and/or the sliced olives, sprinkle over the top. Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top. Serve at room temperature. Can be made ahead of time and put covered into the refrigerator and removed about 15 minutes before serving to get to room temperature. This is the appetizer recipe, but if you wanted to serve this as a side salad it could be layered with the largest slices on the bottom and each layer a little smaller (3 layers would be fine) or 3 slices on a plate in a triangle formation per serving.
Serves 6.

VEGETARIAN MAIN DISH


Hodgepodge

1 cup each (choose all or selected vegetables) fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped; fresh yellow beans, trimmed and snapped; baby carrots or sliced larger carrots; diced turnip; broccoli spears; cauliflower florets; baby onions or cutup regular sized onions; brussel sprouts; baby corn cobs. Should end up with about 8 cups of vegetables, increase selected vegetables to 1½ cups to equal at least 8 cups over all.
2 cups baby new potatoes or cut-up larger potatoes
1 – 2 cups water
6 tbsp. butter/margarine
½ cup half & half
salt and pepper, to taste

All the vegetables should be roughly the same size, cut to size if necessary. Place the selected vegetables in a large pot with enough water to have about 2.5 cm. (1”) deep. If regular carrots and turnip are used they should be cooked 10 minutes before the rest of the vegetables are added. Lightly salt the water, bring to a boil and cook covered over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Add the potatoes, return to a boil and cook covered for about another 20-30 minutes depending on the desired firmness of the vegetables. A little more water may be required. Stir in butter/margarine and half & half (regular, 1% or 2% milk can be used, if desired). Cook for a few more minutes for the vegetables to absorb some of the butter/margarine and half & half. Remove from heat and serve hot. Serves 6-8

DESSERT

Fruit Foster

¼ cup (1/8 lb.) butter
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. orange juice concentrate
4 cups ripe fresh fruit (choose any combination of sliced peaches; sliced pears; sliced apples, plums halved or quartered; strawberries, halved or quartered; whole raspberries; whole blueberries; whole blackberries,
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla flavouring
About 2 tbsp. dark rum or brandy, optional (rum flavouring can be used instead)

In a 10” to 12” frying pan over high heat, stir butter and brown sugar until bubbling vigorously. Add cinnamon, orange juice concentrate and fruit; turn fruit often with a spatula until sauce is boiling again and fruit is hot, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and just before serving add the vanilla and rum flavouring stirring well. Scoop ice cream equally into four bowls. ** Optional** - just before serving add the rum or brandy and light and shake pan until flame dies. If not choosing the flambĂ©Ă© option, add the rum or brandy just before serving, mixing well. Spoon fruit and sauce over ice cream.


The Mountain Market, located just off Concession St at 19 Viewpoint Ave, will be open every Saturday from 7am to 1:30pm until early November. Be sure to stop by to pick up your ingredients and to re-stock on fresh, local produce, as well as other delicious and healthy items.

For more information on Wayne and his cooking services, check out his Cooking Is Fun and Easy website at www.cookingisfunandeasy.ca.

Up to our ears in corn!


Hamilton Eat Local was at the Ottawa Street Market last Saturday, to join in celebrating the 2010 corn and peach harvest! There was a great turnout, and besides the variety of fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to choose from, market-goers also got the chance to enter a draw for a big basket of produce, sample fresh corn, pick up some farm maps and recipes, and try out some peach cobbler muffins, courtesy of Caroline, the market manager! The market is open on Fridays and Saturdays year round at 204 Ottawa Street North, from 7am - 3pm. They always have some great, seasonal festivities going on, so be sure to check them out this weekend!


Big Event at the Mountain Farmers' Market!

To thank its customers, recognize its vendors, and celebrate the consumption of locally grown and produced food, the Hamilton Mountain Farmers’ Market will host its “Cultivating Community” event on Saturday, August 14th from 9am to 12pm, though the market will be open from 7am to 1:30pm.

This is the market’s premier event for the summer, and will feature live cooking demonstrations, raffles, games, and plenty of information for customers. The event will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the production and use of local foods and, of course, buy locally grown and produced goods.

The Mountain Market is located in the parking lot across from Sacred Heart Church at 19 Viewpoint Ave., just off Concession St. between Upper Wentworth and Upper Sherman. It will be open every Saturday from 7am to 1:30pm until early November.

Hope to see you there!

NAME: Cultivating Community –

A Day of Celebration at the Mountain Farmers’ Market

LOCATION: Corner of Viewpoint Ave. & Mountain Park Ave.

Hamilton, ON

DATE: Saturday, August 14, 2010

9:00am to 12:00pm

Eat Local at the North Hamilton Community Health Centre Children's Breakfast Club

Many of the 96,000 Hamiltonians living in poverty are children. In the most crucial development stages of their lives, they do not have access to the nutritious sustenance that is required for healthy physical and mental growth, or social development. By contrast, breakfast programs not only ensure that children are well-fed before school in the morning; they also provide a positive space for learning and interaction. They are a key part of giving young students the best opportunity possible to benefit from their education and childhood years.

At St. Luke’s Anglican Parish Hall in Hamilton’s North End, students of Benetto Elementary School frequent a program run by the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. In a diverse and welcoming environment, they are offered fresh fruit, homemade muffins baked fresh by volunteers, cereal and sometimes even smoothies before heading to class. Parent and community volunteers, as well as a surprisingly rare paid coordinator of the program, usually arrive at 7am to allow students to eat and play at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.

Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) in Hamilton rely on this sort of community support. The City of Hamilton, unlike Toronto, does not match the meagre funding provided for SNPs by the Ontario government through the Ministry of Child and Youth Services. If Hamilton is serious about striving to be “the best place to raise a child,” it needs to step up and offer its support.

Hamilton Eat Local wishes to lend a hand in offering locally grown fresh food offerings to students of various backgrounds and cultures. Fruit and dairy that’s grown and gathered in the Hamilton area will go into Operation Smoothie, one of the newest emerging SNP-oriented initiatives of Eat Local. To learn more or get involved with the project, please contact Karen Burson at kburson.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org.

Local Vegetable Garden Tours by Project Harvest

You are invited to the Project Harvest Vegetable Garden Tour in Hamilton! On Sunday, August 29th, enjoy an open house-style tour of six vegetable gardens across the city. For a $10 donation, drop by any or all of the locations between 10:00am and 4:00pm to see the unique and inspiring features of each garden.

The garden locations are as follows.

1. See what growing up is like.

Paul and Sandra’s: 64 Barclay St

Between King St West and Main St West turn on to Paisley Ave South, then onto Barclay St

2. See an intelligent use of small space.

Rita Bailey: 84 Pearl St South

Travelling East on Main St, take the first right after Locke St. 84 Pearl St is at the corner of Pearl and Jackson St West. Enter the garden from Jackson St.

3. See what a joint effort can produce.

Hill Street Community Garden: Hill St, half a block east of Dundurn

Travelling south on Dundurn St past Main St West, turn left on Hill St, which is just south of the railway overpass.

4. See an urban garden in the heart of the city.

Sapphire Singh: 73 Stapleton Ave

From Barton St East, turn north on Kenilworth. Take the first left at McAnulty Blvd, and then the first right at Stapleton Ave.

5. See large beds, solar panels, windmill for electricity, cistern for rainwater.

Marjorie and Cecil Cooke: 15 Lister Ave

From Upper James and Rymal Rd, go east on Rymal one block, turn right on Ryckmans, and right on Lister Ave.

6. See large award-winning rustic country garden, heritage plants, xeriscaping.

Beth Powell: 440 Concession 1 Rd, R.R. #1, Canfield

Take Hwy 56. 10 Miles south of Binbrook, turn left on Concession Rd 1, and Beth’s property is the third laneway on the right.


Project Harvest works in seven Guatemalan communities to develop and apply an integrated horticultural method, allowing campesino families to enjoy more nutritious and self-sufficient ways of finding food. Visit www.projectharvest.org to learn more.

For more information, please contact Rita Bailey by phone at 905-525-1198, or by email at ruby101@sympatico.ca.

Berry (in) Kind!



















The Fruit Tree Project and Hamilton Eat Local came together recently, and both projects gained a new appreciation for the time and care invested in berry picking, as they harvested juicy yet very fragile raspberries from Jerry's Berries Raspberry Farm in Copetown this week! As the raspberry season comes to an end, Jerry and Glenda welcomed staff and volunteers onto their farm to pick berries for an upcoming student breakfast initiative. We came away with litres of the tender, bright, sweet fruit which will be frozen and used in developing this tasty addition to breakfast programs in the coming school year. Thanks to our volunteers who braved the heat and armies of beetles to glean the fields, and much gratitude to Jerry's Berries for their generous donation of fruit to the development of our new program!

Locke Street Farmers' Market Grand Opening

Locke Street Farmers' Market Grand Opening

All aboard! Rural Routes helps city folks discover their roots


Thanks to all who made our first Rural Routes tour a success! Despite rainy skies and the threat of thunderstorms, 55 people filled an articulated HSR bus on June 12th, selling-out our trip to ManoRun Organic Farm. Between bread-baking in the woodfire oven, visiting the barn animals and picking up some fresh produce to take home, participants got the chance to meet farmer Chris Krucker and learn about how their food is grown.
Many thanks to Chris and Denise from ManoRun Organic Farm and, of course, Hamilton Eat Local's partners in this endevor: the HSR, Hamilton Smart Commute and Tourism Hamilton.
If you missed this tour, do not fret! There are still 3 more trips happening this summer. Up next is Mordern's Organic Farm Store on July 10th. Followed by Puddicombe Estate Farm and Winery, and Carluke Orchards on August 21st and September 11th, respectively. Tickets are already getting scooped up, so stop by the Bread and Roses Cafe to get yours!  The cost is only $5 per person or $2 for children and seniors, which includes a small cup of organic fair trade coffee served before we depart that is roasted in-house at the cafe (not local but very fresh) -- so be sure to come early!  We board at 1pm sharp.  For more details please visit:  http://cms1.smartcommute.ca/hamilton/ruralroutes .

The Dundas Farmers Market kicks off the 2010 season




The reopening of the Dundas Farmer’s Market on June 17 was a great success! Vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, baked goods, herbs, jam and honey gathered at the corner of Miller’s Lane and Hatt Street, behind the Dundas public library, where crowds flowed in to enjoy foods grown, raised and prepared locally.
Under clear and sunny skies, shoppers could buy products from gluten-free baking to wild boar, as well as plenty of organic produce. At the Hamilton Eat Local table, market-goers picked up their Hamilton Farm Map and Directory, in which they could learn about close to 70 farms and vendors in and around the city. Some of the directory’s locations had booths at the market, including ManoRun Organic Farm, Plan ‘B’ Organic Farm and La Primavera Farms.
The Dundas Farmers market will operate every Thursday from 3-7pm until October 28. As the weeks roll by, offers will change with the season, so be sure to stop by and see what’s fresh!

Farm Fresh!



Last Thursday, for the second year in a row, Hamilton Eat Local joined Judy Musitano from Farm Fresh Country Market at the annual ecomarket at the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington. Judy came packed with a van full of freshly picked local foods and we served up our 2010 Farm Map and Directory next to her beautiful display. Hundreds of Environment Canada employees passed by our tables and, wowed by the colourful arrangement, took the opportunity to pick up some fresh vegetables and farm maps!



Thanks to Cheryl Tinson and the Burling Green Team for inviting us back to the ecomarket this year, and to Judy Musitano for her tireless promotion of Ontario grown food. Check out her year 'round retail location at 390 Barton Street (at Millen Road) in Stoney Creek, or look for her at the Hamilton Moutain and Ancaster Farmers Markets.


Coming to a farm near you...

Hamilton Eat Local, in partnership with Tourism Hamilton, Smart Commute and the HSR, is happy to present Rural Routes: a monthly bus excursion to a Hamilton area farm. We'll visit 4 farms throughout the summer, each with their own on-site activity and market stand:

June 12th: ManoRun Organic Farm

July 10th: Morden's Organic Farm Store

August 21st: Puddicombe Estate Farm and Winery

September 11th: Carluke Orchards

Each trip departs at 1:00 pm from the Bread and Roses Cafe in downtown Hamilton, and returns at 3:30. And it's just $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors! Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Bread and Roses Cafe.

We'll keep you posted as the wheel's start rolling, but for more information in the meantime, check out Smart Commute Hamilton for more details!

Be a “Locavore” or “Locke-a-Vore” - Locke Street South Welcomes Hamilton's Newest Farmers' Market!


Locke Street is buzzing with anticipation of Hamilton’s newest Farmers’ Market. Local farmers and producers will be selling their vegetables, fruits, meat and bread to the neighbourhoods around Locke Street.

WHAT: Grand Opening of the Locke Street Farmers’ Market

WHEN: Thursday June 17, 2010
from 3pm-7pm

WHERE: Located in the parking lot next to Fenian Films located at 211 Locke Street South.

WHY: Delivered from the farmer’s fields to the heart of Locke Street, families young and old will be able to access the freshest of locally grown products. The farms are local, sustainable and managed by families who care for their land and their animals.

The term “Locavore” was developed a few years ago to capture what it means to support local and sustainable food systems. While chatting with local farmers, Tom Ratcliffe of Melrose United Church was inspired to say, “Be a Locke-a-Vore”. And so it will be that the people of the Locke St. neighbourhoods will have a unique opportunity this summer to be a “Locke-a-Vore”.

The Locke Street Farmers’ Market will be every Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. beginning June 17, 2010.

List of farmers and food producers include:
Black Walnut Lane - Ron and Adele Service, Millgrove, 905-689-0698 (lamb and beef)
Earth To Table Bakery : Bettina Schormann, Hamilton, 905-516-2362 (bread)
Hay Seed Organic Farm: Jessica Andrews, Bennet Deakin, Kalvis Auzins, Brantford,
519-758-0327 (vegetables)
ManoRun Organic Farm: Chris Krucker, Copetown, 905-648-9608 (vegetables)
Summer Hill Farm : Mark and Tania Veenstra, Waterdown, 905-689-2796 (wild Boar)

-30-
For questions? Contact Adele Service from Black Walnut Lane at 905-689-0698
Chris Krucker from ManoRun Organic Farm at 905-648-9608

The Farm Map Launch - a GRAND success!




On Friday May 14th, 22 Wilson Street was the place to be! Hundreds came out to celebrate the release of the new Hamilton Farm Map at Environment Hamilton's new home. As part of the May James Street North Art Crawl, crawlers: sampled local VQA wines (and Puddicombe's fruit wine) presented by the fabulous Sommelier, Karen La Vigne; everyone checked out Eat Local's first ever photo exhibit of the local farms on our map and enjoyed the sounds of musicians Dan Medakovic and Willy Mudenge. The launch was a two-in-one event as Environment Hamilton flung open ithe doors to welcome Art Crawl participants to our new home. Local visual artist, Louisa Kratka was creating a hands-on display as part of the Good Neighbour Campaign. Thank you to everyone that came out to show their support.

Juby Lee, this year’s Farm Map Manager would like to thank the following for their support: our funders; City of Hamilton and Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.
And the following for their support in the new map: Conserver's Society, designer Tor Lukasik-Foss, volunteer superstar - Sarah Kam, Caroline Merritt and Ottawa Street Farmers Market, Morden's Organic Farm Store for their tasty donation of butter and jams, Puddicombe's for donating some of their amazing wines, Sommelier Karen LaVigne , musicians Willy Mudenge and Dan Medakovic, artist Louisa Kratka, summer interns from the City of Hamilton - Megan and Dave, and last but not least, Environment Hamilton.

New Farm Map at two markets - and this is just the beginning!



Mountain Farmers' Market opens its doors for 2010!
The brand new farm maps were at the Mountain Farmers Market Grand Opening and talk about starting off with a bang! Local goodies such as apples, rhubarb, maple syrup and wine jellies were displayed and many eaters came out to buy from their farmers. Friends gathered over hot, fresh coffee and hot dogs to catch up on the latest news and many left happy with their re-usable bags foodstuff overflowing with locally produced foods. The market is open every Saturday from now to the first week of November from 7am-1:30pm and is located at 19 Viewpoint Avenue. Go early as seasonal highlights like asparagus are snapped up quickly.


Ottawa Street Farmers Market presents "Customer Appreciation Day"

To thank the loyal patrons of Ottawa Street Farmers' Market, everyone was treated to Customer Appreciation Event. Councillor Sam Merulla was on site to personally thank everyone (and hand out coffee!). The new farm map was also being distributed to an enthusiastic crowd. The market is open all year round, every Friday to Saturday from 7am-3pm and it located at 204 Ottawa Street North. For more info check out their website: www.ottawastreetfarmers.com

Mark your calendars! The 4th edition of the Hamilton Farm Map will be launching Friday May 14th!


You are invited to the launch of the 2010-2011 Hamilton Farm Map AND EH's Open House during Friday May 14th James Street North Art Crawl.

Our new landlords at Sonic Unyon Records (22 Wilson Street) are letting Environment Hamilton take over the building (for the night at least).

On the first floor, come see a photo exhibit of farms on the new Hamilton Eat Local map.

On the second floor, sample some VQA wines (Vinter's Quality Alliance) with sommelier Karen LaVigne of Selections de La Vigne, and taste the difference compared to international blends. Light refreshments will be provided - as local as possible of course!

On the third floor, EH is featuring local, multi-talented artist, Louisa Kratka.
And find out what EH is up to for the summer and beyond!

What: EH Open House and farm map launch for the new 2010-2011 Hamilton Farm Map and Directory.
Where: 7pm-9pm on Friday May 14th at 22 Wilson Street (Wilson and Hughson) in the Sonic Unyon building.
Why: Local farms. Local wines. Local artists. Local activists - need we say more?

Food Sovereignty? Is it too late?

You’re invited to the 2010 AGM of the Annual General Meeting of the Hamilton Diocesan Council for Development and Peace

Guest Speaker Alvaro Venturelli from Plan B Organics
Alvaro will address the changes in agriculture from a historical perspective and how they have resulted in the Farm Income Crisis.


Related issues of Sustainable Agriculture, Organics and Freedom of Choice will also be discussed.

WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 2010
WHERE: Canadian Martyrs Church, 38 Emerson Street, Hamilton,
Ontario L8S 2X3,
Registration: 9:30 a.m. START TIME: 9:45 a.m. LUNCH TIME: 12:15 pm.

For more information: Barbara Bishop barbbishop@sympatico.ca Tel.519.826.0385
A LIGHT LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED - ALL WELCOME - FREE EVENT

Plan B’s web site:
www.planborganicfarms.ca

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH! in Hamilton

“FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!” BRINGS TALK OF THE FUTURE OF FOOD AND FARMING TO THE TABLE
An incredible selection of community-based events bridges Hamilton’s urban-rural divide with workshops, a film screening, locally grown food and more!
(Hamilton, ON) – Hamilton Eat Local, an ongoing project of Environment Hamilton, invites you to be part of the growing local food movement, as we explore issues of sustainability, access and more when “FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH” in Hamilton.

Farmers, city folks and food enthusiasts of all kinds will gather at a series of events hosted by Hamilton Eat Local and other community organizations this month, in an attempt to raise awareness of the growingly complex and complicated issues surrounding food security.

“With the success of movies like Super-size Me and Food Inc., it is becoming increasingly clear that people really do care about the quality of their food and where it comes from”, nods Karen Burson, Project Manager of Hamilton Eat Local. And that kind of awareness has created the kind of interest in food that we haven’t seen in years, she suggests. “Finally people are starting to ask me: what is food security, why is it important and how can I help?”

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!

A Local Food Awareness Campaign – Detailed Event Listings

Here is a list of events that will be linked to Hamilton Eat Local via publicity and coordination efforts (as well as with Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, The National Farmers’ Union, and other community partners):

Saturday February 6
Environment and the Future of Farming Fundraiser: A Hunger for Change in Haiti
Bread & Roses Café, 7-10 pm

• Dinner & Discsussion Night at the Bread & Roses Cafe

• Join Hamilton Eat Local for the "FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH" launch event. Original Bread & Roses Chef Karen Burson teams up with current Chef Marg Ann Roorda to cook up a deluxe, Haitian-inspired menu using the surprising abundance of locally grown ingredients that are available even in this coldest month of the year.

• A volunteer-driven event, this evening's proceeds will be directed towards Heifer Canada International's Haitian rebuilding efforts.

• Tickets cost $40 per person, only $35 on or before February 5. Please book in advance: kburson.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org.


Saturday February 13A Farmer's Forum: The Future of Food in Hamilton
Sky Dragon Centre, 2 - 4 pm

• This will be a co-presentation of Hamilton Eat Local and the National Farmers' Union, featuring a keynote speaker, a small panel, and a group discussion afterwards. The local NFU chapter anticipates that about 30 farmers would be likely to attend, and I can anticipate about 30 non-farming citizens would make up our target of 60 participants. Free of charge. Refreshments will be provided between the forum and the film screening.

Screening of the hit documentary film Food Inc.
Sky Dragon Centre, 4 - 6 pm

• Screening hosted by Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario -- free screening of this talked-about feature-length documentary. As they say on the film’s official website: you’ll never look at dinner the same way:
In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.
From: http://www.takepart.com/foodinc


Friday February 19
Free Gardening Workshop presented by Dundas in Transition
Dundas Town Hall, 7:30 pm

• "Get Your Veggies Growing" will be presented by Chris Krucker of Manorun Farm, Russ Ohrt of Backyard Harvest, Connie Dam-Byl of William Dam Seeds. This is an opportunity for those interested in increasing their food independence and turning "food miles" into "food feet". The workshop is aimed mainly at beginners and will focus on getting your soil and seeds ready and planted at the right time through the growing season.


Sunday February 21 and Monday February 22
Green Solutions Marketplace at the Upwind Downwind Conference
Hamilton Convention Centre

• Hamilton Eat Local will have a display booth for both days, co-presenting a local food-inspired raw food gourmet demonstration by Bread & Roses CafĂ© Chef Marg Ann Roorda on Sunday; and promoting Hamilton Partners In Nutrition’s work coordinating Student Nutrition Programs on Monday; this is a free event.

Hamilton and Area CSA Fair

• Local farm organizations will be able to directly market their programs courtesy of Hamilton Eat Local to patrons of the Green Solutions Marketplace; free event.


Monday February 16
Hamilton Partners In Nutrition (HPIN) presentsPANCAKE FEST!
Bread & Roses CafĂ© at the Sky Dragon Centre, 10 am – 6pm

• Come celebrate a world of pancake traditions from around the globe… and do it with locally sourced ingredients! This all-day fundraiser is going to be into a delicious celebration of good nutrition and good fun as integral parts of successful Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs). Only $10 to support a great cause! Special rates will be available for students and seniors.


Saturday February 27
From Market Garden to Tasting Table – Cellaring Winter Vegetables
Dundurn Castle

• A multi-dimensional look at the history as well as the modern-day relevance of traditional cellared vegetables: how they are grown, stored and preserved; presented by Dundurn’s Heritage Gardener Simon Taylor, Chris Krucker of ManoRun Farm, and Karen Burson of Hamilton Eat Local. Includes a delicious tasting session at the end of the workshops. Dundurn Castle is charging $25.

For more information contact Karen Burson at kburson.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org