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 Café 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) presents… PANCAKE FEST!
Bread & Roses Café 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
