 |
Glendale Gardens & Woodland |
| Present to May 1 | Exhibitor Sign up |
| Questions? Contact Erin admin@organicislands.ca or call 250.658.8148 | |
| April 1 to June 30 | Volunteer Recruitment |
| Contact Jen Cizman volunteering@organicislands.ca or call 250.658.8148 | |
|
July 3 |
Festival Set-Up |
| July 4 & 5 | Show Time! 10 am to 5 pm |
2. New Exhibitor Feature
The Vancouver Island Diet
An Interview with Jen Fisher-Bradley of the Women's Food & Water Initiative. The WFWI is a new exhibitor at the festival this year. The WFWI promotes awareness and fund raises for their women-run, triple bottom line, multi-stakeholder co-operative in the Nuu Chah Nulth Territories and Alberni-Clayoquot region. We asked Jen a few questions about the Vancouver Island Diet (VID).
An Interview with Jen Fisher-Bradley of the Women's Food & Water Initiative. The WFWI is a new exhibitor at the festival this year. The WFWI promotes awareness and fund raises for their women-run, triple bottom line, multi-stakeholder co-operative in the Nuu Chah Nulth Territories and Alberni-Clayoquot region. We asked Jen a few questions about the Vancouver Island Diet (VID).
What is the Vancouver Island Diet?
The Vancouver Island Diet is a sustainable collaborative local food
production system. The goal is to ensure food security for Vancouver
Islanders by producing enough food locally to feed everyone at all times.
In the 1960's Vancouver Island produced 85% of our food...now over 90% of
the Island's food supply is shipped in from the outside.
The Vancouver Island Diet is a sustainable collaborative local food
production system. The goal is to ensure food security for Vancouver
Islanders by producing enough food locally to feed everyone at all times.
In the 1960's Vancouver Island produced 85% of our food...now over 90% of
the Island's food supply is shipped in from the outside.
Why do you find the 100 Mile Diet "too restrictive"?
We applaud the 100 Mile Diet concept and those who have advocated for it.
We are flying on the 100 Mile Diet's wings, but we need to speed up the
process on Vancouver Island if we want sustainability here. We need to encourage export of surpluses from one region of the Island to another (and between Islands) which would be discouraged if we held strictly to the 100 Mile limit. And we need to focus on protecting our watersheds which are critical for sustainable food production on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
We applaud the 100 Mile Diet concept and those who have advocated for it.
We are flying on the 100 Mile Diet's wings, but we need to speed up the
process on Vancouver Island if we want sustainability here. We need to encourage export of surpluses from one region of the Island to another (and between Islands) which would be discouraged if we held strictly to the 100 Mile limit. And we need to focus on protecting our watersheds which are critical for sustainable food production on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
How can families get involved in the VID?
Families can make choices to focus their food dollar on VI produced foods
and beverages which will increase demand. Making this choice consciously
deepens the whole family's understanding about what the diet represents - a lower carbon footprint and an ethical food source benefiting locals and the environment. Composting, growing your own food, saving and sharing seeds and collecting rain water are all good ways to be a part of the VID.
Families can make choices to focus their food dollar on VI produced foods
and beverages which will increase demand. Making this choice consciously
deepens the whole family's understanding about what the diet represents - a lower carbon footprint and an ethical food source benefiting locals and the environment. Composting, growing your own food, saving and sharing seeds and collecting rain water are all good ways to be a part of the VID.
The WFWI encourages communities and businesses to stay focused on reducing their carbon footprint. Eat, grow and celebrate local! Find out more about this and other new exhibitors at: www.organicislands.ca
3. Presenters at Organic Islands
An Update about Percy Schmeiser (guest presenter in 2008*)
Saskatchewan Farmer Percy Schmeiser captivated last year's Festival attendees with his engaging, and heart wrenching account of his battle with Monsanto -- which he sued in the Supreme Court of Canada and won for genetic contamination of his land. We checked in to see what Percy and the GE Free BC campaigners are up to in 2009.
Saskatchewan Farmer Percy Schmeiser captivated last year's Festival attendees with his engaging, and heart wrenching account of his battle with Monsanto -- which he sued in the Supreme Court of Canada and won for genetic contamination of his land. We checked in to see what Percy and the GE Free BC campaigners are up to in 2009.
Where to hear Percy in 2009
In September of this year, Percy Schmeiser will be speaking in the Kootenays and the Okanagan with his final stop being the 4th Annual Okanagan Organic Festival held in Kelowna.
In September of this year, Percy Schmeiser will be speaking in the Kootenays and the Okanagan with his final stop being the 4th Annual Okanagan Organic Festival held in Kelowna.
More GE Free Campaigns in Canada
GE Free BC continues to increase awareness about Genetic Engineering and has joined the Canadian Biotech Action Network (CBAN) on two campaigns -
to encourage Rogers Sugar to stop processing GE sugar beet in Alberta,
and to halt the release of GE alfalfa in Canada.
to encourage Rogers Sugar to stop processing GE sugar beet in Alberta,
and to halt the release of GE alfalfa in Canada.
"Percy Schmeiser told of battling an entire army of Monsanto lawyers. The cost of his struggle (to his health, family and financial well being) had me in tears. And his message was simple: avoid GM cotton, soyabeans, corn and canola." Festival Attendee 2008
* As a result of the 2008 campaign, Nelson become the third GE Free Zone in Canada. More info at: http://www.gefreebc.org/
4. Upcoming Events
March 21
Heather Sale and free lecture @ Glendale Gardens. 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. lecture, greenhouse doors open @ 10 a.m. sharp. Call 250.479.6162
April 3
Island on the Edge Movie & Silent Auction Fundraiser @ Brentwood Community Hall. Double feature, 6 pm and 9 pm. Tickets $10, please RSVP for 9 pm show. http://www.thegardenbox.ca or call Helen Lupowitz at (250) 544-2064.
Heather Sale and free lecture @ Glendale Gardens. 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. lecture, greenhouse doors open @ 10 a.m. sharp. Call 250.479.6162
April 3
Island on the Edge Movie & Silent Auction Fundraiser @ Brentwood Community Hall. Double feature, 6 pm and 9 pm. Tickets $10, please RSVP for 9 pm show. http://www.thegardenbox.ca or call Helen Lupowitz at (250) 544-2064.
April 14
Green Drinks @ Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift Street). 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
Green Drinks @ Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift Street). 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
For more news about green events in Victoria, check out the The Green Diary: http://www.earthfuture.com/greendiary/
5. Organic Islands Updates
In our next newsletter we will share more updates with you, unless you
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Feedback
sponsors & partners
sponsors & 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."
Nature’s Path Foods, Richmond, BC
"An absolutely fantastic show! Level Ground Trading had a great show - the visitors were great to meet with."
Level Ground Trading,
Saanichton, BC
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."
Glendale Gardens & Woodland
Festival Venue
West Saanich, BC
Festival Venue
West Saanich, BC