Yesterday in that brief sunny respite from the pelting rain and hail, I dashed out for a walk. The approaching black clouds told me it wouldn’t be long before the torrents returned, so it would have to be a fast walk. As I stepped into the back alley, I glanced […] Read More
Award-winning is probably the best descriptor for Kevin and Annamarie Klippenstein. These two young farmers have been chalking up nominations and awards aplenty in the last few years, the latest of which is the 2011 BC and Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers. They were finalists in 2005 through 2007. The awards […] Read More
There’s nothing that says spring to me more than the annual VanDusen Plant Sale. Every year, ten thousand gardeners roll up with their wheelbarrows and then run through the gates of the beautiful botanical garden. They run because they want the pick of the best on offer, some of them […] Read More
In honor of compost awareness week (May 1-8), I’m returning to my roots, so to speak. I’ll be digging around in some compost bins at the Inspiration Garden in Coquitlam. If you live in the area and you’re interested in learning how to compost, come on by this weekend or […] Read More
A few weeks ago, I was given eleven chocolate bars as a thank you gift from friends. Not just two or three, no, eleven large chocolate bars. The friends had a good laugh, knowing well my oft’ unchecked penchant for chocolate. In an effort to show some restraint, I gave […] Read More
Now this sounds like a positively yummy event. UBC Farm is inviting us to celebrate and enjoy comfort foods created and cooked from the heart at the Joy of Feeding. Fifteen Canadian moms of various heritages will share their cuisines, stories and cultures at this community cooking event organized by […] Read More
In the early 1970s, we were losing nearly 6,000 hectares of farmland a year. To protect the dwindling supply of agricultural land, the provincial government of the day (New Democrats) introduced BC’s Land Commission Act on April 18, 1973 and appointed the Agricultural Land Commission. A special land use zone […] Read More
Finally, after being on numerous waiting lists for a couple of years, I now have my own plot in a community garden. The Pine Street Community Garden is one of the gardens along the railway tracks in Kitsilano. It has a community orchard as well. I selected my plot last […] Read More
I was speaking at a food networking event in the West End of Vancouver yesterday. As I rode into the seaside neighbourhood, I was struck by its vibrant and unique character, a lovely mix of green grocers, small shops, funky cafés and eateries. It’s on the doorstep of the seawall, […] Read More
Doctors at REACH Community Health Centre in Vancouver are prescribing fresh vegetables to patients. The program, called We Love Veggies, is based on one created by Connecticut-based Wholesome Wave, which is running in Maine and Massachusetts in an effort to fight obesity. A non-profit society, REACH cares for an ethnically diverse […] Read More