Roundtable Launches Healthy Food System Series

September 3, 2009 - The Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable launched a new initiative to engage the public in discussion of food issues in Waterloo Region today.

Through a partnership with the Kitchener Public Library, the Roundtable's new Healthy Food System series will feature monthy events at the library's main branch on Queen Street in Kitchener.  For a printable poster describing the first three events, see here.

The first event in the series will be on Tuesday, September 29, and will feature local participants in the 100-Mile Diet Challenge organized by the Healing Path Naturopathic Centre.  The speakers will address their challenges and learnings in their efforts to eat only food from within a 100-mile radius of their homes.

Future events will focus on Food Labelling, Fair Trade, the new Canadian Organic Standards, Finding Local Food, and the threat of Gravel Pits to agriculture.

For details on the first nine events, see below.

The 100-Mile Challenge: Waterloo Edition
Tuesday, September 29, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Come hear from people who are nearing completion of their 100-day commitment to eat only foods from within 100 miles of their home! Challenge organizers from the Healing Path Naturopathic Clinic will describe how and why they started the challenge, and several participants will share their experiences.  Also, Gusto Catering chef Dominic Ellis will give tips on the many options available to you in cooking with local foods.

What's on the Label?  What's on your Plate?
Tuesday, October 27, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Join the discussion as we learn about misleading labels and signs on our food products. Local food activist John McVicar reveals label shortcomings and advises vigilance when making your purchases at the grocery store.  Heather Harding, project coordinator with Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, explains why you may not be pouring much Ontario pinot noir into your glass even though the wine says "product of Canada."

Fair Trade in the Waterloo Region and Internationally
Tuesday, November 24, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Sean Zister, owner of Seven Shores Urban Market & Café, will speak on the Impact Fair Trade has with Local and International Producers.

• What does Fair Trade mean?
• Can you make a difference?
• Did you know: 8% of Ontario Farmers are under the age of 35 … if farmers don’t get a fair price for their products, who is going to take over their operations?

O" Canada - The New Canadian Organic Standards and Products Regulations
Tuesday, December 15, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

In June 2009, the new Organic Products Regulations (OPR) came into effect, making the organic standards mandatory. Wondering what this is and what it means for farmers, retailers and consumers? Join us for a talk and panel discussion about the standards and regulations as well the new Canada Organic logo.

Grown Close to Home - Really!
Tuesday,  January 26, 2010, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Tired of food that looks and tastes like it has traveled miles to your plate? Not really sure where the "Grown Close to Home" food in the grocery stores comes from? Concerned about pesticides and chemicals on your food? Want to eat more local, sustainable food? Join us for a panel discussion about where, why, and how to eat local and sustainable foods in Waterloo Region. Get connected to your food and some of the farmers who grow it.

The Threat of Gravel Pits to Agriculture and Food
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Over 7,000 acres of the best potato land in Dufferin County has been bought by a company that seeks to mine the land for the mineral aggregates below the surface. Across the province, many more acres of prime agricultural farmland lie on top of valuable aggregates, and existing provincial and municipal policies do little to prevent their conversion to gravel pits. Come hear from a panel of local farmers and activists talk about the threat to our food production and what can be done about it.

Edible Cities – Can Urban Agriculture Feed Us All?
Monday, March 29, 7pm KPL Main Branch

Join us for an informative session on urban agriculture, including green roofs, community gardens, SPIN (small-plot, intensive) farming, urban homesteading, urban forests and wild harvesting, as we explore how urban agriculture can be a solution for creating sustainable cities and feeding us all.

Walkable Local Foods: Local food buying clubs
Tuesday, April 27, 7pm KPL Main Branch

Want to be able to walk to pick up local foods? It is possible! Uptown Waterloo has a food buying club that makes eating local convenient and fun for its 500 members. Your neighbourhood can have one too. Come find out how to set up a local food buying club in your neighbourhood.

Food "Waste" or Resource?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 7pm, KPL Grand River Branch

Food waste and packaging represents a large portion of the "waste" in our landfills. This can change if more people compost and more companies reduce food packaging. Join a waste management professional and a local organic farmer in a discussion of this challenge for our community.