Local Food Outreach
Think Global, Buy Local
Choosing local, in-season foods will reduce transport-related emissions and help foster a more sustainable food system in our province. Selecting foods and goods produced closer to home supports our local living economies; it keeps money moving within our province and supports Nova Scotian farmers and independent businesses. Vote with your fork by shopping at your nearby farmers’ market or selecting products of Nova Scotia or Atlantic Canada when possible at your grocery store.
Grow Your Own at Home
With the cost of fossil fuels and food increasing, many people are turning to growing their own food. Whether it is an herb garden in your kitchen window, a jar of sprouts on a countertop, a few containers on your back porch, or several beds in your backyard, food grows in many shapes and forms. Growing your own is a healthy, educational and fun way of making connections with where our food comes from and how it grows.
Current Projects:
Cooking Together in Dartmouth
A community kitchen is starting up in downtown Dartmouth and we welcome you to join us! The project will kick off with basic cooking sessions outlining how to prepare healthy, affordable, local and in-seasons vegetables.
Collective cooking is a social, fun way to learn about cooking while sharing a meal with others in our community. By coming together and sharing the responsibilities, we are able to make larger quantities of food that we can take home to serve or freeze for later.
The Sessions: All sessions will be held at the Christ Church Community Hall, 61 Dundas Street, Dartmouth.
Thursday, May 17, 2012 6 to 9 p.m. Healthy burritos
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6 to 9 p.m. Hearty soup
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6 to 9 p.m. Simple stir-fry
Costs & Registration:
Please register one week before each session by completing our online registration form (below) or by contacting Emily at 237-5774 or esangster@clean.ns.ca.
All necessary materials will be provided including:
• snacks & refreshments
• cooking ingredients
• reusable containers
All are welcome!
• childcare available
• bus transportation available (directly on MetroTransit bus routes 54 & 62 and a short walk from Alderney Gate and the ferry terminal)
• sessions are pay what you can
Please submit our online registration form to secure your spot!
Downtown Dartmouth Community Kitchen Project
In partnership with Our Thyme Cafe, a social enterprise of the Elizabeth Fry Society, we coordinate cooking and food preservation skill building workshops with a focus on using sustainably grown foods that are in-season. The group meets bi-weekly and is open to all residents of the Dartmouth community.
Dartmouth Community Garden and Outdoor Oven Project
In the spring and summer months, we maintain a demonstration garden at the Leighton Dillman/ Dartmouth Commons community garden. Much of the food produced in the gardens is used to support food security projects in the downtown Dartmouth community.
Farms-to-School/Schools-to-Farms Program
This project aims to create experiential learning opportunities for students by facilitating connections with school communities and with nearby farms. The program offers a suite of options for school groups such as farm trips, farmer presentations and taste-testing, support for local food procurement at school cafeterias and breakfast programs.
