Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. While it is almost unthinkable that we could ever grow enough food to feed ourselves in Vancouver, there are examples of cities like Havana doing just that. A longer growing season, and less competition for the land from developers gives Havana a distinct advantages over us, but there is still much we could do!

To the uninitiated, community gardens can easily go unnoticed. They’re usually tucked away and can easily pass for overgrown, disused lots. Well, actually many are in fact disused lots located on private property that is currently underutilized.

In most cases, loose agreements are formed between site owners and interested urban farmers to use the land for a predefined period of time. Gardens are usually tended by those living in the immediate neighbourhood, with individuals marking out plots of their own. Gardeners working the lot located at Victoria Dr. and 1st. Ave., regularly held dinners throughout the summer consisting of vegetables grown right there on the spot.

A quick look at the Social Planning page of the City of Vancouver website tells me there we’re approximately 52 community gardens operating this past growing season within Vancouver’s borders.

The success of community gardening in Vancouver cannot only be measured in the food that is produced, for it isn’t enough to sustain us. Instead, these gardens serve as community building exercises that educate, entertain and bring beauty into unloved spaces.

Blaine has been lending his support to the Fruit Tree Project in the last few weeks and is loving it. For those unaware, this volunteer organization works with fruit tree owners in the city of Vancouver to pick fruit that might otherwise be left to spoil. Like the best ideas, The Fruit Tree Project is beautiful in its simplicity and a “win win” on so many levels..

1. Tree owners (often seniors) have their fruit harvested and take what they can use.
2. What is left is distributed to shelters, daycares and other community groups.
3. Volunteers have the benefit of fresh air and exercise in a convivial atmosphere.

Lately we’ve been thinking about taking the good work of the Project one step further by creating a “value added” product that could be offered for sale. Any profit generated would help to fund operations or buy new picking equipment. We thought a fruit galette would be the perfect product because it can be made with just about any type of fruit, they look gorgeous, are easy to eat and taste fabulous!

We went ahead and developed our “prototype galette” over the Thanksgiving long weekend. We started by visiting Callister Park by the PNE to gather some apples.

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We literally caught the apples in this blue tarp “fireman style”.

The apples here are tart and delicious-fine on their own, but perfect for baking with.

This was the final result we achieved. All that was needed at this sate was a little vanilla ice cream to send it over the edge!

Our dream for the galette is that it form the basis for a truly sustainable fundraising initiative that would benefit the Fruit Tree Project into the future. We’re thinking Trout Lake Farmers Market might be the perfect venue for both selling the galettes, and creating awareness for the organization as a whole.

For anyone that knows me, knows that I’m a big supporter of all things local. I can often be found shopping in places like Jack and Jill on Granville or Walrus on Cambie. While I get immense pleasure in supporting small businesses and meeting their respective owners, I’m also aware that small businesses build vibrant communities.

According to Western Economic Diversification Canada there were approximately 379,700 small businesses operating in British Columbia in 2007.
 These operations accounted for 98 per cent of all businesses in the province. Micro-businesses, with fewer than five employees each, comprised 83 per cent of small businesses.

That pretty much says it all: our economy is rooted in small business, and they need to be supported because they are supporting us!

There is a grassroots organization in the states called the 3/50 Project whose basic premise is to get people spending $50.00 in 3 different local businesses each month. A fairly easy thing to do dontcha think?

Vancouver has an abundance of fruit bearing trees within its borders. Most trees are tucked away from view in backyards throughout the city, but a lot of perfectly edible and delicious fruit can be found in public parks or along busy thoroughfares. A great deal of this produce is left unharvested, and it’s a shame really when one stops to consider how valuable this fruit would be in the right hands.

There is a solution…

Vancouverites are probably unfamiliar with The Fruit Tree Project and the valuable volunteer work that they do. The organization is brilliant in its simplicity, which is essentially to harvest fruit that might otherwise be left to spoil. Tree owners sign over their trees to the group of volunteers to harvest, and in return, a portion of “the pick” is given to the homeowner, the remaining fruit is then donated to local food banks. Recently the The Fruit Tree Project has moved into other areas like canning workshops, and there is also talk of creating other value-added products for sale to help fund operations.

There is no shortage of volunteers willing to pick the fruit, the challenge has always been in letting tree owners know that the project exists. So spread the word!

Every year we participate in Feast of Fields (the annual fundraiser for Farmfolk/Cityfolk), and every year it seems to sneak up on us as if we were not paying attention. We knew we wanted to make a savoury cupcake, for this year’s event, but we hadn’t decided on the flavour profile until the very last moment.

Desperation breeds ingenuity, and in this case we created a pear and olive oil cupcake frosted with a blue cheese butter cream icing, toasted Agassiz hazelnuts, topped with a crisp sun-dried apple chip courtesy of Klipper’s Organics and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Very yummy indeed!

Always one for adventure, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to cycle around beautiful Agassiz BC as part of Slow Food Vancouver’s third annual Summer Cycle Tour. It was a chance to commune with nature and fellow foodies while exploring the countryside on two wheels. This self-guided tour meant that you could go at your own pace, stopping at various participating farms, and lingering longer when the urge took hold.

The day proved to be ideal: cool and sunny with just a faint hint of fall in the air. The relative flat terrain around Agassiz meant the 26 km circuit was a breeze even for those whose last bike ride involved “sissy bars” and “banana seats.”

I came away impressed by the diversity the area had on offer- everything from delectable cheese from Farmhouse Natural Cheeses to the largest honey bee farm in BC. that goes by the name of Honeyview.

We took the opportunity to load up on hazelnuts courtesy of Canadian Hazelnut that will become the basis of our contribution at Feast of Fields this year at UBC Farm.

If you missed this event, it is still possible to tour the area on your own self-guided tour. Check out Circle Farm Tour.

Pulled Pork Tostadas are not the sort of food one would expect to find at an organic u-pick farm in the Okanagan, but it does exist!

Slightly off the beaten track on the road from Oliver to Penticton (Turn left at Curt’s Garage) lies Covet Farms. The farm has one of everything, including “Pancho’s Country Market” where you can buy fresh produce, wine made from grapes grown on the farm as well as delicious Mexican food!

Fast approaching is the annual “Feast of Fields” food spectacular at UBC Farm on Sunday, September 13, 2009, 1:00 to 5:00 PM. The event is a fund raising initiative in support of “Farmfolk Cityfolk.” FFCF is a nonprofit society that works with farm & city to cultivate a local, sustainable food system.

2009 marks the 5th year that we’ve presented our food at “the Feast.” The cause has always been close to our hearts, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that we also enjoy ourselves thoroughly. I cant think of a better way to spend time than by socializing with peers in the industry and engaging in passionate conversations with the “foodies” that attend.

From our first adventure at Westham Island Herb Farm in 2003 till now we’ve witnessed the phenomenal growth of the local food movement. Local Farmers, Vintners and Cheese Makers have sprung up to meet the demands of a food conscience population, and I couldn’t be happier.

Make a point of attending this food festival and you’ll be rewarded with a great day enjoying the finest food available in the Lower Mainland!

This is a short video we assembled from last year’s event.

We had the great good fortune to attend “Outstanding in the Field” at UBC Farm on Sunday July 19th. This traveling roadshow brings together local farmers and food artisans, chefs and winemakers, to celebrate the bounty in our own backyard.

While the localization of food lies at the heart of this culinary adventure, it is not without pleasure. Chef Andrea Carlson of Bishop’s Restaurant led an exceptional crew in creating food that allowed the ingredients to shine.

The supplier of the main ingredient used in each course was introduced to the table at the appropriate time to shed light on their products and harvesting practices. We dined on Pemberton Meadows Beef Hazelmere Farm’s Broad Beans transformed into a delicious cakes, as well as fresh Wild Salmon courtesy of Steve Johansen of Organic Oceans.