I wrote a post a few weeks back about food and making sure that folks in my local community have access to food resources. If you have not read it, or if you don’t remember it, I would recommend to read it as it will help this post make more sense.. and once again, thank you to my wonderful regular commenters, you gave me alot to think about.
So I knew I wanted to find a way to help but I also really want to remain a very private person in my own area, so how to balance the two.. I had talked about the program in place that I was aware of in my area about getting fresh fruits and veggies once a month co-op, I talked to the one of the lead guys on it and got directed to someone else, and found out they do have a type of food bank for basic food items, and this program runs twice a month, and they offer two hour classes that go with that teach how to cook and use the foods, I explained that I would be interested in helping with the cooking part, and perhaps even expand just a touch into wild pickings, drying and freezing food for later use.
Turns out some of my paperwork is outdated and or out of province, and so I need to take a new food safety course for this province and then they are more then willing to have me come and help, they want me to spend a couple months just getting a feel for the current program and then they are more then open to the idea of allowing me to expand if there is interest for next year.
I was surprised that they don’t think Canning would fit in for the main program but that it could be a possable extra course for the community at large, I could see their point, jars and canners and power all cost money..
Still its a good place to start and I have found the next course that is available in sept and will look forward to seeing if there is any new info to learn. I’ll keep you posted..
Just another Day on the Farm 
Sounds like a plan! 2 things: we sell at the farm market as a very practical way to ensure there is a farm market in a town that nearly lost it’s only one. We think it’s an important part of what makes it a nice place to live. The local food access network obtained some funding for a voucher scheme for people on low incomes to access the farm market. It has been wildly popular and allowed a group who might otherwise not shop there, to do so. It was city money from the pile of trusts and bequests they have. ( Our farm market is not one of the $10 for a jar of jam/ $5 for tomatoes type). 2. When I had the supported housing business, one of the things we did with out tenants was to teach some basic cooking. What worked for us was a set of recipe cards that taught things like how to cook a baked potato, or how to cook hamburger. The card then went on to list at least 10 things you could do with the baked potato or the hamburger. The same went for pasta, rice etc. That sort of approach might work for the group you are going to meet, working with whatever foods turn up regulalry at the food bank or reduced at your local stores. Each card fitted into a file we provided which also contained information on budgeting, housework routines, fire safety, all kinds of stuff. It meant the tenant ended up with a useful resource once they had learned the basic techniques.
Good idea’s, thanks for sharing, I will ask if we do something like that, I know they said we give out a folder with recipes but I like the idea of ten things for each food! Will keep you posted on how it goes.
WTG Farmgal … if I lived on that side of the country I’d be on your doorstep … as it is you’re a wonderful online resource
Will, Thanks for the kind words, If there is ever anything you want me to cover, please let me know and I will see if I can do a post on it.
Farmgal, I think you are a natural teacher and this is a wonderful thing you are doing. 🙂
Hi Daisy ,
The funny thing, Is I really didn’t feel that way for years, I have been told that I am one for years, and I guess it must be true to a point, but I have never felt it was part of my calling in life, still I do enjoy both sharing knowledge and know how as well as gaining it.