By Galiano Club|2018-02-22T02:58:59-08:00June 5th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Food Program in the Media|0 Comments
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/hey-kids-whats-for-dinner-yes-you-can-teach-them-to-cook-their-own/article22311863/
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:22:19-07:00April 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program|0 Comments
Seed, the Untold Story
Thursday May 4th, 7pm
Join us for the screening of Seed: The Untold Story, followed by a discussion facilitated by the Seed Library of Galiano. Doors open at the South Hall at 6:30pm, with organic popcorn and beverages included all for $5/per person. Theater Bytes refers to this film as: “A brilliantly filmed, scripted, and directed documentary that we all should probably view. The frank testimonial approach used in this film tells a very compelling story…”
Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/97882647
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:18:27-07:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Nettlefest|0 Comments
Prepping Nettles in the Cooking Class – photo: Karen Barnaby
5:30pm, Friday, March 31st
Learn how to make a variety of delicious nettle dishes and how to remove the sting so that you can take advantage of all of nettle’s incredible health benefits. This hands-on class includes cooking demonstrations and is suitable for all levels of cooking skills. It’s a prime opportunity for those looking to develop their skills and incorporate wild foods into their diet. We will create a delicious meal to share around a communal table at the end of the evening. This is a chance to bring questions, and get ideas for your entry into the Galiano’s Next Top Nettle Cooking Competition at the Potluck.
Registration includes all ingredients for a meal we prepare in class, plus a copy of Alison’s Nettle Cookbook. Please register at galianofoodprograms@gmail.com. Sliding scale $15-$25
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:17:07-07:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Nettlefest|0 Comments
Forest Foraging Walk with Naturalist Reed Osler & Holistic Nutritionist Cedana Bourne from the Galiano Conservancy
10:00am-12:00, Saturday April 1, Millard Learning Centre, main parking lot
Bring your cameras and notebooks and learn about foraging in our local forests. We’ll walk through Galiano’s wild places and talk about nettles and other edible wild greens, how and when to pick them for a sustainable harvest, where they grow, and their roles in our local ecosystems. We’ll also learn about their nutritional and health-giving properties, and how best to preserve them.
Suggested donation $15-$20. Please register at galianofoodprograms@gmail.com
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:12:11-07:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Nettlefest|0 Comments
Chefs, cooks and foragers: It’s time to put your “pedal to the nettle” in this year’s competition. Sunday, April 2nd as part of the 10th Annual Nettlefest Community Potluck Celebration at the South Galiano Community Hall. Come “test your nettle” by entering your best nettle dish against fierce island competition. And the sting: all dishes must be in by 5:30pm.
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By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:10:25-07:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Workshops|0 Comments
RESCHEDULED to MARCH 25 9:00am-3:00pm
This workshop looks at different techniques to help you grow the plants you always wanted without having to buy them! We will learn about hardwood and softwood cuttings, layering, air layering, division, grafting, as well as looking at different seeding techniques to ensure germination. Morning at South Hall, afternoon at Community Greenhouse. Car-pooling will be organized. Please bring a bagged lunch. Sliding scale $25-$35. Registration is required – just email galianofoodprograms@gmail.com
More details below:
Perhaps you have seen the videos on Facebook teaching you how to “magically regrow” vegetables from your table scraps, such as celery or onions from discarded ends. While that is definitely one use for propagation techniques, there are other benefits too, such as growing plants that are hard to find in a nursery (but spotted in your neighbour’s plot), growing cuttings to give away as gifts, or saving the cost of buying seeds or nursery starts when you’re expanding your garden.
Plant propagation is “the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts.” (Thanks Wikipedia.) It’s surprisingly simple, as well as sustainable and cheap. And it reduces your dependence on multinational seed producers, while building community too.
We are very happy to host Manon Tremblay for a Propagation workshop in March. This workshop looks at different techniques to help you grow the plants you always wanted without having to buy them! We will learn about hardwood and softwood cuttings, layering, air layering, division, grafting, as well as looking at different seeding techniques to ensure germination.
Last year we were hosted Manon for a pruning workshop that was very well-received. Here’s just some of the enthusiastic feedback we got: “One of the best workshops I have attended” … “Manon was full of information, I would sign up for any workshop that she was leading. She was fantastic with questions, explained things really well, was completely approachable” … “Yes, I had attended other pruning workshops in the past, but Manon was so knowledgeable and presented her material so clearly, that I walked out feeling much more confident, and really understanding the rationale behind the pruning. I am grateful that you brought in such an outstanding teacher.”
Manon is a Horticulturist and Environmental Educator passionate about edible plants and organic gardening. She has been working as a Landscaper and Landscape Designer for the past 15 years and loves to share her experience and interests with enthusiastic gardeners.
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:07:33-07:00February 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Nettlefest|0 Comments
As I write this article we are just emerging from an unusually snowy winter, and it’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. But it’s coming. One of the first signs of spring, and maybe Galiano’s favourite, is bright green nettle shoots poking out of the ground. The new leaves are full of calcium, protein, and iron. Perfect to recharge us after our cold winter and get us healthy and ready for spring.
To quote Sandy Pottle’s famous nettle song:
And then I tried granny’s spring tonic
And now I feel simply bionic
I’m stepping more lightly
I’m looking more sightly
And my brain it ain’t quite so moronic
When you are picking nettles for cooking, choose the young and tender leaves, usually the top four or six on a plant. Use scissors to cut the tip and you won’t damage the plant. Nettles are delicious — but most first time nettle eaters are nervous about being stung. Use kitchen or garden gloves when you are picking and in the kitchen until the nettles are processed in some way. Once the fresh nettles are steamed, frozen, dried or cooked the sting is neutralized. There are lots of different ways to use nettles. Some of my favourites are: soup, pizza, nesto, nettle and edamame crostini, and nettle pakora.
This year the Galiano Community Food Programs 10th Annual Nettlefest weekend runs March 31st to April 2nd. I will be teaching a cooking class on Friday night, Reed and Cedana from the Galiano Conservancy will be leading a foraging walk on Saturday morning, there will be the community nettle pick, and of course the community potluck on the Sunday evening, with the increasingly popular Nettle cooking competition. Check the website for all the details. There’s lots to do, lots of ways to get involved and celebrate spring on Galiano.
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:05:07-07:00February 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program|0 Comments
Volunteer Fair – March 16th from 1pm till 3pm at the South Hall.
Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity for the New Year? How can you support the work we do?
Come learn about all the different opportunities for volunteering with the Community Food Program. We need help cooking, driving, working with kids, picking fruits and vegetables, gardening and more.
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T17:01:44-07:00February 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Growing (Garlic Co-op, Greenhouse, Gleaning Project)|0 Comments
Greenhouse Group: Tuesdays at 12 noon.
Greenhouse Growing Group by Barry New
The Greenhouse Growing Group grows vegetables together in the greenhouse located behind the Library. This year’s season begins Tuesday April 4th at 12 noon. Anyone is welcome to join. This group can suit all levels of experience and commitment.
The charge is still only $20 for the whole year. This fee includes all soil amendments, seeds, pots, and tools (though people are also encouraged to bring their own). Participants also share the produce. We can provide handouts related to specific gardening questions.
We specialise in the early Spring Starts and then roll out a program for the year-round crops. You can learn and share your knowledge about potting mixes and seeds. The group meets informally once or twice a week throughout the spring and summer. By summer, we have a watering schedule so there are regular weekly turns by the participants to keep the plants well-watered. It is a teaching and learning environment so we have some resources and good links to help further the skills of participants. Last year we grew tomatoes, eggplants, basil, peppers, melons, and many other seasonal vegetables. The planters outside the greenhouse had strawberries, runner beans, and cucumbers. There are also Seniors Beds specially adapted for easy maintenance (no bending!). Starting this year, we are experimenting with winter crops, and we bought two olive trees and two lemon trees.
For more information, contact Barry New at 539-2364 or galianofoodprograms@gmail.com
By Alison Colwell|2018-06-20T16:59:11-07:00January 20th, 2017|Categories: Food Program, Workshops|0 Comments
Beginning at 10am at the South Hall, the Seed Library of Galiano will have its inventory on hand for those interested in browsing and borrowing seeds for the upcoming growing season. Yes, the time for spring starts is just around the corner! There will also be some seeds available for free, and those who wish to swap seeds with others are welcome to bring them along for a mini Seedy Day. Please contact Colleen with any questions.
