FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH Cooking Demonstrations @ The Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Kitchen

Check out the schedule of local food cooking demonstrations below - all demos are open to the public, require no registration and are free of charge!

Demos take place Saturdays at 10am and noon!

FEB 2: “Cooking with The City” Demos – Inspirations from The Ontario Table

10am Meet the Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) Chicken Thyme Pasta is a Hamilton-inspired recipe featured in Lynn Ogryzlo’s The Ontario Table – see how easy and tasty local fare can be!

Noon Cooking with Councillor Maria Pearson, Ward 10 Dessert anyone?  How about some Apple Sticky Toffee Pudding!!  Check out this localized twist on a great British classic!

*Both demonstrations will be presented by Karen Burson (a.k.a. The Eklectic Kitchen), Project Manager at Environment Hamilton for Hamilton Eat Local and The Good Food Box Network

FEB 9: Spotlight on Local Ingredients: after the harvest season, what do you eat?

10am “Cabbage is Cool!”  Come to this kid-friendly cooking demonstration to learn some fun facts about this underappreciated vegetable! Local cookbook author Karen McLaughlin will show you how to prepare a tasty slaw with cabbage, apples and carrots.

*With Karen McLaughlin, blogger and author of the budget-friendly “Cheap Appetit: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month”

Noon "The Locavore in Winter"  How do you eat local when the fields have been frozen for months?  Hamilton Eat Local will show you how to localize it, even in the chilly month of February!

*With Karen Burson of Environment Hamilton and The Eklectic Kitchen

FEB 16: The Global-Local Kitchen: international flavours & local ingredients

Noon “Hamilton Eat Local’s International House of Pancakery”  Prepare for Pancake Day!  Using local ingredients you can create a world of flavours in your skillet.  Karen will demonstrate a couple of classics and show you a couple of surprising twists.

*With Karen Burson of Environment Hamilton and The Eklectic Kitchen

FEB 23: Exploring Ideas About Farming

10am “An Introduction to Food & Farming for Kids” What does a farm look like and what foods come from farms? Join Kelly for this very visual exploration of a "permaculture" setting showing how foods can come from the trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and animals on a farm.

*With Kelly McKinney, founder and operator of Hamilton’s amazing “Sprout Camp” for kids

Noon “The Lazy Locavore” In Winter  Tips and techniques to help bring local food to your table in a hurry!  See how shopping lists, planning ahead and making the most of what’s best in winter can help you save time, money and maybe even our planet!

*With Karen Burson of Environment Hamilton and The Eklectic Kitchen

"FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!" 2013

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH IS BACK!!!

Join us for our fourth annual celebration of food and farming in Hamilton.

This year we are presenting a variety of events and all of them are completely free to join, no RSVPs needed!

Feb 2

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH LAUNCH EVENT

@the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Space 2-4pm

Drop in to connect with Hamilton's local food scene!  Featuring:

• "The Buzz About Bees" presentation & honey tasting
• Launch event for Hamilton's newest independent magazine "GUSTO!" with Editor Amy Bonin
• A book signing with Karen McLaughlin, author of the budget friendly cookbook
• "CHEAP APPETIT: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month"
• The CLIMATE CHANGE CHARTER display
• Information on Hamilton's Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) and the HAMILTON FOOD CHARTER
• Launch of the online version of the "OPERATION SMOOTHIE" handbook
• Speak with Kelly McKinney of Hamilton's super-awesome and educational "SPROUT CAMP"

Feb 15

FOURTH ANNUAL FARMERS’ FORUM (farmers only, please!)

@The Winking Judge, 7pm

Feb 27

FOOD ‘N’ FARMING PANEL DISCUSSION 

“Can Hamilton Feed Itself?” -- WHY FARMLAND PRESERVATION MATTERS

@ the Hamiltton Public Library  7-10 pm

Come join us to learn and share information on one of the most critical topics facing food security in Canada.  Featuring our panel of experts:

Erin Shapero - from Environmental Defence and Local Food Plus, Erin made a name for herself as the Markham City Councillor who put local food on the radar and led the way towards their ground-breaking municipal local food procurement policies!  What role does the Greenbelt play?

Lisa Ohberg - her influential academic research paper "Can Hamilton Feed Itself?" answers this question in ways that may surprise you!  At a time when 60% of our province's food is important, we need to look at the potential consequences of turning our agricultural lands into residential and economic development zones.  Check out her presentation to the food security committee here: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C4E2C50B-E943-4A10-89EC-62B02E5B7D6C/0/OhbergSelfSufficiencyPresentationCFSSCNov72012.pdf

Ella Haley - the outspoken farmer who has made land use and ownership a political hot potato in Brant County shares her perspectives on farmland preservation through the lens of the "land-grab" happening all around her farm, Hearts Content Farmstead.  Should we have concerns about foreign ownership of agricultural lands?

David Carson - of Dundas in Transition and now co-chair of the Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) talks about sustainability, farmland preservation and what we need to know about the AEGD proposed by the City of Hamilton (also known as The Aerotropolis).  Carson is also one of the citizens most actively engaged in the creation of Hamilton's first FOOD CHARTER.

Wondering what it's all about?  Come to this gathering to find out!  There will be displays set up by community groups, such as The Mustard Seed Cooperative Grocery... get your membership!

                   

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NEW:

All month long on Saturdays at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Kitchen

their FREE Cooking Demonstrations will be part of “FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!”

Enjoy the food fun, facts and flavours... there will be samples!  Details TBA right here on the Hamilton Eat Local Blog!

The Community Food Festival at the Hamilton Farmers' Market, part of FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!

"COOKING WITH THE COUNCILLORS" & More!

This food and fun-filled event took place on Saturday February 25th, and was sponsored by Hamilton Eat Local, the Hamilton Farmers' Market, and the Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC). Participating community groups included the North Hamilton Community Health Centre (NHCHC), the Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN), and Hamilton Partners In Nutrition (HPIN). This event was part of FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH, and inlcuded a Rural Routes bus tour to Old 99 Farm in Copetown.

Councillor Brenda Johnson, Karen Burson and Katie Stiel

At the market, special guests included:

• Lynn Ogryzlo, author of The Ontario Table
• Councillor Robert Pasuta
• Councillor Brenda Johnson
• Councillor Brian McHattie
• Councillor Jason Farr

Special thanks to Wendy, our tireless kitchen volunteer and Sapphire Singh, the Community Kitchen Coordinator!

Today's recipes: Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Savoury Muffins and Apple-Cranberry Muffins

"Nourishing Hamilton" - good food, great crowd, and a wonderful FIFM "kick-off"!

Thanks to the team of organizers and panelists, our poster artist Miranda Kett, Matt Thompson and the great folks at the FRWY Coffee house, but most of all thanks to YOU for coming out to our event!

Panelists: Bill Wilcox, Pastor Loretta Jaunzarins, Crystle Numan, Clare Wagner and Mark & Tania Veenstra; Moderator Karen Burson

This night could not have come together as a free gathering without the generous support of our Sponsors: Faith & The Common Good and Canadian Organic Growers (COG).

Special extra super-thanks to Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko of Environment Hamilton for coming forward with this idea, getting the ball rolling, helping to finance the event and keeping us all inspired! And let's not forget the awesome efforts of the indomitable Juby Lee, also of Environment Hamilton!!

February Is Farm Month 2012

EVENT LISTINGS

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH 2012

FEBRUARY 2 "NOURISHING HAMILTON: Food, Faith and Our City", sponsored by Environment Hamilton’s Faith and the Common Good project and Canadian Organic Growers and hosted by the FRWY Coffee House

We will screen Nourish Peterborough, a homey documentary about some of the forward-thinking community food initiatives led by Peterborough people who care, as well as groups such as community gardens and non-profit projects such as Come Cook with Us and activist group Food Not Bombs. Also profiled in the film is the YMCA Peterborough’s “JustFood” program which strives to make high quality local organic produce available to all, regardless of a person’s level of income. Nourish Peterborough presents some heartwarming stories and some heartbreaking ones, too, but overall it is definitely inspiring! The film will be followed by a panel discussion of local organic heroes and as much community engagement as we can muster!

• FRWY coffee house (333 King Street East)
• Free admission
• A special organic vegan chili on the menu
• Doors open at 6:30, film starts at 7pm, 10pm close

FEBRUARY 4 February Is Farm Month LAUNCH HOUR (noon - 1pm) with Hamilton Eat Local at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Kitchen. Fun, light refreshments and FIFM information will be served!!

FEBRUARY 10 FIFM Art Crawl Information Night and EH Open House We’re inviting local organic CSA farms to set up displays and get people signed up for 2012 shares. Not sure what a CSA is? Want more information about FIFM? Come on down! This event runs 7-9 pm.

FEBRUARY 18 The HOMEGROWN HOEDOWN @HOMEGROWN HAMILTON, 27 King William With local organic food and drink on their menu, this is the place where good food, live music and great friends collide! Headliner Laura Repo will bring her smart country pop style to the café along with some hometown favourites performing as well. Visit her website and you’ll be able to stream her new album, “Get Yourself Home”: http://laurarepo.ca/ Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm, with tickets $8 at the door. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales goes towards supporting Hamilton Eat Local's Operation Smoothie program.

FEBRUARY 25 COMMUNITY FOOD FESTIVAL (noon to 6pm) & FARM FAIR (10am to 4pm) sponsored by the Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) and the Hamilton Farmers' Market

Spend some time with special guest, food writer Lynn Orgryzlo who will be selling and signing copies of her amazing new book, The Ontario Table, a fine resource that covers regions right across the province, including ours!! Community groups interested in food will have displays up to introduce their programs at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Kitchen. Nearby at Homegrown Hamilton, farm organizations will be there to meet you, so come on down and meet the farmers!

• NOTE: Noon to 6pm for the Community Food Festival -- 10am to 6pm for the Farm Fair
• Ontario Table book signing with Lynn Ogryzlo: time TBA
• Free admission to both!

Drop in before or after your Rural Routes Farm Bus Tour, if you will be on the trip Juby has organized, visiting Ian Graham's Old 99 Farm.

FEBRUARY 25 RURAL ROUTES: Permaculture at Old 99 Farm – the newest in a series of our award-winning Farm Tours, led by Juby Lee of Hamilton Eat Local, a project of Environment Hamilton.

Farmer Ian Graham will lead a tour of his farm and answer questions about his sustainable farming methods. Tickets are: $7 for adults and $5 for seniors/children 12 and under, and will be sold at Homegrown Hamilton - 27 King William Street (former Bread & Roses Cafe).
Rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.
Cash only, please!

FEBRUARY 29 FOOD ‘N’ FARM DAY at MAC and our Third Annual Farmers' Forum An information and opportunities forum for students, faculty, staff and community members with a passion for food systems issues. Events will run from 10:30-4:00, exact sessions and locations on campus TBA. Watch for more details! Admission will be free!! Thanks to recent Mac grad Lynnette Hornung and Chris Krucker of Manorun Farm for organizing this informative day.

MARCH 1 FOOD & YOUTH DAY @ Parkview Seconday, for Parkview students, parents, teachers and guests only! Let us know if you’d like us to visit your school next year!

Other Great Community Food Events in February

FEBRUARY 4 - KNOW YOUR ROOTS Free Cooking Demo by The Eklectic Kitchen at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Kitchen, 11am

How do you eat local all-year round? It’s easy when you KNOW YOUR ROOTS! Let’s face it, imported strawberries, asparagus and other seasonal treasures are NOT “just as good” in the middle of winter. They can’t possibly match the freshness, variety, versatility and taste of locally grown underground goodness. How do you store root veggies, how can you cook them… and how do you enjoy them raw? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Join Karen for another fun cooking demonstration complete with quips, tips and delicious samples. Followed by the February Is Farm Month Launch Hour at noon.

FEBRUARY 18 - Seedy Saturday by Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN), 11- 4 pm at Ryerson United Church, 842 Main St. E.

Learn about local community gardens and organizations, get seeds through exchanges and vendors, attend workshops, meet other gardening enthusiasts, enjoy refreshments, and win prizes. Entrance by donation. Site fully accessible.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT KAREN BURSON: kburson.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org

Hamilton Eat Local-Slow Food Hamilton's 4th Annual HOLIDAY ECO SCHMOOZE!!

Join us at 7pm when doors open! This year's featured film is the amazing and inspiring "NOURISH PETERBOROUGH", and it's our pleasure to have Emily Blondin-Doan, the director as our special guest!! This film was chosen for screening after meeting some of the amazing people and community food groups encountered at the recent BRING FOOD HOME food conference at Trent University in October.

The film will be followed by a panel of amazing local food activists (Clare Wagner of Green Venture, Theresa Phair of City of Hamilton Housing and Sapphire Singh, the coordinator of the new Hamilton Farmers' Market Community Kitchen) and a group discussion. It's amazing what can be achieved when we work (and eat) together.  Refreshments and community will be served :-)

Only $5 (or $2 unwaged). Ticket info is coming soon but seating is definitely limited, so watch for news!

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:

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.

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 12^th, 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 10^th. Followed by Puddicombe Estate Farm and Winery, and Carluke Orchards on August 21^st and September 11^th, 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 .

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 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

Coming soon: Downtown Localicious 2009 - Hamilton's Fresh-tival of Flavour!

Join us for the LOCALICIOUS LAUNCH PARTY: Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 7 - 10 p.m.

Lincoln Alexander Centre at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

150 King St. E.

Hamilton, Ontario

Guests will enjoy local samples from the best downtown Hamilton restaurants, a local winery and brewery, local music from Mike Trebilcock's CHOIR DEETS, and a chance to see and hear rising culinary superstar and region's leading localvores Executive Chef JEFF CRUMP and Pastry Chef BETTINA SCHORMANN of the Ancaster Old Mill.  Jeff and Bettina will perform a culinary demonstration from their new book "EARTH TO TABLE", which is being launched next week and guests can pre-order their copy of this exceptional book at a discount and have both sign their copy personally at the Downtown Localicious 2009 Launch Event.

Proceeds from this event will in part support HAMILTON PARTNERS IN NUTRITION (HPIN), a partnership of community agencies and community members that supports and facilitates local student nutrition programs for children in Hamilton.  A portion of books sales will help support SLOW FOOD HAMILTON, a convivium of Slow Food celebrating the pleasures of the table and promoting the value of food that is ”good clean and fair”.

Tickets are $20 plus applicable taxes and can be purchased by visiting http://tickets.lincolnalexanderlive.com/ ; there will be tickets at the box office starting at 6pm on the night of the event, and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

Downtown Localicious 2009 is a 10-day celebration of Hamilton’s downtown restaurants and Hamilton’s remarkable agricultural heritage. From Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 27th, restaurant-lovers can taste their favorite local foods prepared by some of Hamilton’s finest restaurants.

A lunchtime special and a 3-course dinner menu will be offered at the 12 participating restaurants at the following rates:

$10, $15 or $20 lunch specials

$20, $30 or $40 prix fixe dinner menus

For more information please visit http://www.localicious.info/  or call the Downtown Hamilton BIA at 905-523-1646.

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Visit "The Delicious Dozen", our Downtown Localicious 2009 Restaurants
Reservations for dinner are recommended!

Acclamation - 191 James North 905 523-7269

al Centro Paninoteca & Pizzeria - 24 King St. E. 905 524-2444

Boo's Bistro & Wine Bar - 164 James St. S. 905 296-7598

Bread & Roses Cafe - 27 King William 905 777-8102

Brownies Downtown - 275 King St. E. 905 526-6047

Capri Ristorante Italiano - 25 John St. N. 905 525-7811

Dalina's Egyptian & Mediterranean Cuisine - 49 King William 905 522-6252

Incognito Restaurant &Wine Bar - 93 John St. S 905 296-5832

La Piazza Allegra - 180 James St. S. 905 777-8970

Saffron Mediterranean Restaurant & Wine Bar at Crowne Plaza Hotel -

150 King St. E. 905 528-3451

Slainte's Irish Pub 33 Bowen St 905 528-8000

The London Tap House - 31 John St. N 289 396-8779

*** visit www.localicious.info for information and tickets ***

We're jamming -- I wanna jam it with you, and we hope you'll start jamming, too!

The Hamilton Fruit Tree Project had its first canning workshop last Thursday and boil did it go well! We made jam from sour cherries picked from our very own Fruit Tree Project. It was the perfect introduction to canning and preserving, needing no more than fruit, a stockpot, canning tongs, and copious amounts of sugar!The Hamilton Fruit Tree Project and OPIRG PEAS will continue to offer canning and preserving workshops throughout the summer. Each workshop’s focus will depend on the fruits and vegetables in season -- another reason to look forward to our August crop!!!

Hamiltonians Growing Good Food ...and Healthy Students!

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation hosts "Farms to Cafeterias" at Tapestry Bistro

The foundation hosted a tasty little reception last week not just to celebrate Ontario Greenbelt-grown food, but to talk to key decision-makers about why local food procurement is something that our city should bite into.

*

Burkhard Mausberg, President of Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation acted as the master of ceremonies that afternoon. Ward 14 Councillor Robert Pasuta was on hand to introduce Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who spoke of the importance of local purchasing by municipalities -- particularly when it comes to food. Local food dynamo, former CBC Journalist, and author Lori Stahlbrand leads the way in Ontario as President of Local Food Plus (LFP), and organization dedicated to promoting local food that is also ethical and sustainable through its certification and guidance, which is targeted to large food purchasers and the farms that wish to supply them. Last but certainly not least, Dr. Lynda Lukasik, Executive Director of Environment Hamilton spoke about her organization's successful record of increasing public awareness of these issues, as well as noting the work of Hamilton Eat Local in helping people take the next step: getting their hands on the region's agricultural goodies!

*

Speakers cited local economic benefits, green jobs, fresher and healthier food, and the resilience of our local food supply as being just some of the reasons why it pays to ensure that our local institutions of learning use their enormous purchasing power to support our community -- and that includes farms.

*

The event took place at one of Hamilton Eat Local's favourite locavore establishments, Tapestry Bistro. Chef Sam Robertson served up a delicious and creative range of fresh and healthy appetizers and snacks -- well, as long as you went easy on the lovely homemade strawberry custard tarts....which was very, very difficult!

Guest such as Ward 2 Councillor Brian McHattie, representatives of both the Hamilton District Public School Board and the Hamilton Catholic District School Board, food services staff from Redeemer University College, Liz Millar of Hamilton Partners in Nutrition (HPIN), Vicki Edwards of City of Hamilton Public Health and the Community Food Security Stakeholders Committee (CFSSC), representatives of Peel Region's eco-school pros EcoSource, McMaster campus food activists, the Hamilton Wentworth Federation of Agriculture (HWFA), Chris Krucker and Denise Trigatti of ManoRun Farm and many others enjoyed the good eats and the good news about the many benefits of local food to 'student bodies'. Thank you very much to all who attended, as Hamilton Eat Local continues to help the cause in any way that it can.

Photos courtesy of Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

THE MAP IS BACK!!! -- Join us for Fun and Pancakes as we launch the 2009 Hamilton Eat Local Farm Map and Directory, Third Edition

Friday May 1st
10- noon
Bread & Roses Cafe / Sky Dragon Centre - 27 King William Street

Hamilton Eat Local is delighted to announce the map launch of The 2009 Hamilton Eat Local Farm Map and Directory, Third Edition. This year our launch event "Local to theCore" will be celebrated with a delicious pancake breakfast (as locally sourced as possible - of course!) at the Bread & Roses cafe. The menu will feature fluffy, light, organic spelt pancakes (you MUST try Chef Lisa's pancakes!) served with real local butter, maple syrup and local organic apple compote to top off the meal. Fair trade / organic coffee / tea will be available as well. Hamilton Eat Local and Bread & Roses Cafe are pleased to offer the breakfast at a mere $5 per person. No RVSP necessary.

At approximately noon, join us as we wind down with a delightful film about food. Breakfast will be followed by a screening of Pixel One's incredible visual feast: the Canadian documentary film "Tableland", which celebrates the field-to-table connection in a way that might leave you hungry for more pancakes!

Hope to see you there!
Karen and Juby are looking for volunteers to help launch the 3rd edition of the Hamilton Local Farm Map and Directory. We are looking for volunteers to help with the launch. We need help with the breakfast and to hand out maps. Please contact Juby at
jlee.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org or call the Environment Hamilton office at 905-549-0900. Thanks very much for your support!

The Fossil-Fueled Sandwich with Rebecca Hosking in "A Farm for the Future" from the BBC's "Natural World"

Hosking (left) went back to the farm when her father (right) and uncle were too old to keep it going -- and a year later she felt compelled to tell the story of the past, present and future of farming in the United Kingdom. Our story isn't likely to be that much different.

The "fossil fuelled sandwich" is deconstructed in a clip that'sonly about two minutes long, and it gets the peak oil message across pretty succinctly.

Just click on the link below to view this incredible 50-minute documentary from the BBC series Natural World! Thanks to Kenrick C. from Dundas In Transition for providing it.

http://lets-doit.ca/farm.html

"Kids In The Kitchen" gets the whole community out for a day of healthy fun!

Farmer/volunteer Sandy Morden of Morden's Organic Farm and Nutri-Spring Farm offers the kids a tasty lesson in indoor herb gardening. Thank you so much, Sandy for donating your time, and special thanks also go out to Sharon Clugston of Sherlea Acres for donating the really cool popping corn on-the-cob!

We've got some fun pictures of Hamilton Eat Local at the Eva Rothwell Centre for The Junior League of Burlington & Hamilton Second Annual "Kids In The Kitchen" Event - Moooo! The "Eat Local" room was a hive of activity, with groups of kids learning about herbs, watching Greenbelt Kids videos courtesy of TV Ontario, planting their own begonias and getting their photos taken with our fibreglass cow "Leilani". Super-volunteer Corinne Lyne did an amazing job of co-coordinating the space -- thank you!

“Local produce finds its way to school” Spectator article by Katrina Simmons

Hamilton Eat Local is working to develop partnerships between farmers and the people, businesses and institutions that they should be feeding in our city. The Hamilton Spectator article appeared on March 5, 2009 and explains the ways that our project is teaming up with Hamilton Partners in Nutrition (PIN) to bring fresh local food to the city's snack, breakfast and lunch programs. photos by *karen b

Follow this link to read the article:

http://www.thespec.com/go/food/article/524161

Slow Food Hamilton's 2nd Annual Holiday Eco-Schmooze - Season's Greenings!

You're invited to join the Second Annual Slow Food Hamilton HOLIDAY ECO-SCHMOOZE on Wednesday December 17 at Tapestry Bistro 7-9 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers, holiday punch and a chance to meet and network with people who care about good food and a healthy planet!

It's an opportunity to share stories and strategies; successes and suggestions; mishaps and media contacts... or just chill out and enjoy relaxing in one of Hamilton's most unique dining establishments.

Members of eco-friendly organizations are all invited to attend, such as supporters of Slow Food Hamilton, Hamilton Eat Local, Environment Hamilton, Food Not Bombs and more, so please feel free to share the news with folks who like to live on the green side. :-) Meet us on the mezzanine level of The Tapestry Bistro, located at the amazing Staircase Theatre at 27 Dundurn Street North. Please RSVP if you can, but feel free to drop in! Space is slightly limited, so come early!

Let's Sit Down Together for "TABLELAND"

"TABLELAND": a provocative new film about our rich culinary landscape.

Presented by Hamilton Eat Local and Canadian Organic Growers (film screening)
Friday November 28, Doors open at 7pm
Tableland by Pixel One Productions is a new and thought-provoking film. It is a culinary expedition in search of the people, places and tastes of North American small-scale, sustainable food production. From the Orchards of the interior of BC, to the Napa Highlands, rural Quebec and everywhere in between, Tableland showcases the successful production of local and seasonal food from field to plate. Guest speakers for the event will include farmer Inge Crowther of Clover Roads Organic Farm, writer and urban poultry enthusiast Yuki Hayashi, and Karen Burson of Hamilton Eat Local and founder of The Bread & Roses Cafe.

The film will be shown at The Sky Dragon Centre at 27 King William Street in downtown Hamilton. Doors open for organic popcorn at 7 - film begins at 7:30pm – the speakers start at 9pm - Q & A and snacks starting at 9:30. Please make a $7 donation at the door (2nd floor).