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
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
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