Festival News

From Deb Morse, Festival Founder and Director

Festival Updates

The new Sustainability Expo component at the festival will educate attendees with fun, interactive presentations focusing on how to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices. Learn how you about how you can make a difference to secure a sustainable future for our Islands.

Did you know that 98% of the world's food seeds are owned by 6 corporations?

Find out about how BC farmers, gardeners and others are making a difference, and how you can too. Sustainability Expo participants include:

Salt Spring Island's Dan Jason and other organic farmers working for food security through the BC Seed Security Project and The Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada.

These regional organizations along with others such as The BC Sustainable Energy Association, Energy Alternatives, The Trust for Sustainable Forestry, CRD Environmental Services, and The Greater Victoria Compost Ed Centre will challenge festival attendees with a "call to action".

Did you know fresh, local foods contain more phyto-nutrients than imported foods?


In the "Local Foods are Better" Demo Kitchen join Bill Jones, renown chef, author and educator as we explore the benefits of cooking local foods. Time and distance from field to table have a profound effect on the levels of nutrients and flavour, and on your wellbeing. Bill is a two-time winner of a world cookbook award, a French-trained chef and owner of Deerholme Farm in the wine region of Cowichan Valley.

Did you know growing local, organic food not only reduces our carbon footprint; it also builds community, and fuels our Islands' economy (and, of course, it tastes better!)?


Join the F.U.N. panel discussion about FARMING in URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS(tm). Global climate change is, of course, an enormous concern, and threatens our food security. All imported food carries a large carbon footprint, and food not organically grown uses fossil fuels. Growing more organic food locally is an immediate step that we can take to contribute to the solution.

Food production experts and activists will offer spirited dialog and practical tips. Panelists include: Paula Sobie co-owner/operator of City Harvest a local company that sustainably produces food in Victoria by transforming urban lawns into lush, vegetable gardens; and Carolyn Herriot, author of A Year On The Garden Path, a 52-Week Organic Gardening Guide, and creator of the Twelve Steps to Sustainable Homegrown Food Production Programme.

All this learning about sustainability can make one thirsty so we will be welcoming festival goers to the Organic Libations Tasting Event featuring:

Organic wine favourites Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Canada's largest certified organic vineyard in Kelowna; David and Liz Avery's Lotusland Vineyards limited edition premium wine from the Fraser Valley; and
Organic ale and lager from Natureland brewed in BC with the world's finest organic malted barley, hops and pure spring water.

The Festival Team continues to work on creating a cleaner, greener, happier festival. You can help our Eco-Compliance Team ensure that the festival comes closer to a zero footprint. Please contact Judy Kitts to volunteer - volunteering@organicislands.ca or 250-658-8148. Let's make Canada's largest outdoor green festival, the best and the greenest! We need to come together in community to make this happen!

There are lots of ways to get involved, support the festival and have fun!. Volunteer, Exhibit, Advertise or Sponsor, become a fan on Facebook, and Help spread the word -- link to our website (www.organicislands.ca), or forward this newsletter.

Yours for a sustainable, organic future,
Deb Morse, Events Producer/Director
Dynamic Governance Consultant (Trainee)
T: 250-658-8148 E: deb@organicislands.ca
Creator and founder of the Organic Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo

1. Important Dates

*July 5, International Free Hugs Day. New this year at the festival: free huggers and tree huggers.

2. Who is coming - Exhibitors List

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, WeGo Solar, Eco Furniture, CRD Environmental Services, Greenway Carpet Cleaning Ltd, Trust for Sustainable Forestry, Salt Spring Seeds, Seed and Plant Sanctuary Project, BC Seed Security Project, AK Green Initiatives, BC Sustainable Energy Association, CanCompost, Conscious Learning for Health Institute - Movement for Life, Everland Natural Foods, The Organic Gardeners Pantry, Franca Organics Ltd., Biofert Manufacturing Inc., Sunscaping, Investors Group, Sidney Integrated Wellness Community Society (SIWCS), Global Health Brokerage Inc., Global Superfoods Inc., Outside/In Cosmetics, Isabella's Dream, HarbourLiving.ca, Affordable Hot Tubs & Saunas Ltd, Aromatic Farm Coop, Lilikoi Specialty Foods, Golden Maples Farm - Gourmet Foods and Wild Preserves, Baba's OM Organic Munchies Food Kiosk, Kali Wags, The Healthy Snack For Dogs, Lotusland Vineyards, Natureland - Pacific Western Brewery

We warmly welcome exhibitors across Canada from Manitoba to Cortes Island. Check out the up-to-date list.

This is what people are saying:
An absolutely fantastic show! Level Ground Trading
A successful event with great exposure and networking opportunities. Nature’s Path Foods

3. Thank you to our sponsors - Sponsors List (as of April 30/08)

4. Exhibit Spaces -- Limited space available.

Fees include: Exhibit space, name in festival program (published in 4 full page Times Colonist feature), online directory listing, advertising opportunities in Times Colonoist 4 Full page impact feature Reserve your exhibit space online now or contact Deb Morse, deb@organicislands.ca or 250-658-8148.

5. Upcoming Green Events

• May 6 -- FoodRoots Sustainable Feast, Fairfield -- Guy Dauncey of BCSEA will speak on agriculture and biofuels. Info: www.foodroots.ca
• May 12 -- Green Drinks, Victoria -- Canoe Brewpub and Restaurant, 450 Swift Street, Info: http://greendrinksvictoria.ca/gd/index.html
• May 20 -- Green Drinks, Westshore -- Royal Roads University, Habitat Cafe, Info: GreenDrinks@MoyerCreativeGroup.com
• May 31 -- Green Living Expo, Colwood Plaza -- Info:jcullington@shaw.ca

6. Organic Islands Updates

Please contact us if you have questions. Or visit the web site:

CORPORATE SPONSORS

MAIN STAGE SPONSORS:

MEDIA PARTNERS

ORGANIC FRIEND PARTNERS:

A SUNOPTA COMPANY

Feedback from our sponsors and partners

"Nature’s Path Foods has been a sponsor and exhibitor since the very first festival for Organic Islands. The organizers have done a fantastic job of advertising and promotions for the event.

Overall the event has been a success and provided great exposure and access to lots of networking with other organic enterprises."

Dag Falck, Organic Program Manager
Nature’s Path Foods, Richmond, BC

"An absolutely fantastic show and great weather. That is to say, all that you were in charge of (and weren’t in charge of) was excellent! Level Ground Trading had a great show - the visitors were great to meet with."

Stacey Toews, Fair Trade and Social Justice Advocate
Level Ground Trading, Saanichton, BC

"We’ve been getting rave reviews about the weekend and what a great event you produced. The feedback has all been positive and everyone is looking forward to the next Organic Islands Festival."

Robyn Burton, Executive Director
Glendale Gardens & Woodland
home of The Horticulture Centre, Saanich, BC