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All that lush farmland just outside city limits. All those urban gardens sprouting in your neighbourhood. And did you just hear a chicken clucking from the backyard next door?
With so much great produce and meat close to home, why isn't it easier for you to get your hands on it?
You don't have to be sold on the delicious benefits of eating local. The real question is: How do we cook up a recipe for local sustainable food success?
That's just what we'll be exploring with an expert panel this Thursday at the Museum of Vancouver in the second of the MOV's Food and Beers series sponsored by Tides Canada.
Yours truly, Tyee editor David Beers (the Beers in Food and Beers), will take up the discussion with:
Meeru Dhalwala, Vij's Restaurant and cookbook author.
Amy Robertson, Chair, Farmers Market Society.
Ian Walker, President, Left Coast Naturals.
Lori Stahlbrand, Founder and President, Local Food Plus.
All four are passionately (and financially) committed to growing the local sustainable food system in the Lower Mainland, and each has hard-won, practical, intimate knowledge of what it takes to grow, certify, process, distribute and serve the best local food available.
I'll be asking them what outdated methods, rules, policies or other forces stand between the farmer and your plate. What would it take for our region's food economy to really get humming?
Each will contribute a few thoughtful "ingredients" in their ultimate local food recipe.
And then you'll get your turn too. Our reporters will be there ready to hear your suggested ingredients for making B.C. a global leader in local food.
Local farmers and other sustainable food experts will be on hand for casual conversation with audience members afterwards.
Good news to be unveiled
Expect as well the announcement of a very positive development on the local food scene in B.C. That's all we're saying for the moment. Until Thursday, it's a secret!
Tickets are $15, and include complimentary nibbles and admission into the MoV's Homegrown exhibit on local food, co-presented with FarmFolk/CityFolk. Buy your tickets here.
Congrats to Chef Peters, 100-Mile Chef champ!
For those who missed the MOV's culinary smackdown pitting two 100-Mile titans -- Todd Bright of Wild Rice and Jennifer Peters of Raincity Grill -- the event was one for the ages. While spectators noshed on fresh, local sustainable cheeses, chips and veggies in the warm, glassed-in confines of the Museum of Vancouver, the two brilliant chefs dueled on the patio, under tents warding off the rain. Each worked with their own hand-chosen basket of vegetables and a plump free-range organic chicken supplied by Home Grow-in Buyer's Co-op.
Both cooked up spectacular results (see some great photos by Amir Shahrestani). The contrast in styles (modern Chinese vs. contemporary North American), made it a tough call for the judges. The nod went to Jennifer Peters, with particular oohs and aahs for her colourful ratatouille and savory whipped cauliflower complementing succulent grilled chicken breast.
That was the first of four events in the Museum of Vancouver's Food and Beers series, generously sponsored by Tides Canada, and all of them to be held at the Museum of Vancouver.
Here comes the next one, this Thursday. Don't miss this delicious chance to help make positive change where you live.
Read more: Food
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