Oct 4th, 2023 | Community Food Security Session #1

Oct 4th, 2023 | Community Food Security Session #1

Upcoming Event
Community Food Security Session # 1: Collective Impact through Needs & Strength Mapping October 4th, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. PST (online)  Register now! What is this event? Join fellow food access program providers and key food actors from across the region to identify opportunities for collective impact through mapping our strengths.  In the face of what our neighbouring communities just experienced through wildfire this summer (and remembering our experience from two years ago), and based on what we have heard about the community and organizational response (especially when it comes to food for fire evacuees) - it is clear that we are more effective and resilient when working in collaboration. This has us thinking about our community resilience, including how we prepare for, respond and rebuild when there…
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Recap: Market Opportunity Study Webinar

Recap: Market Opportunity Study Webinar

Event Recap
On June 15th, Land to Table hosted a webinar to share the results from our Market Opportunity Study conducted in partnership with KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS). The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities and pathways to scale up local vegetable and fruit procurement from small-medium scale farms, and better understand the potential to develop small scale aggregation infrastructure to supply North Okanagan-produced fruit and vegetables to institutional and retail market channels. Listen to the recording for an overview of: The current agricultural and market landscape in the Okanagan Brief overview of the regulations that govern the sales of fruit and vegetables Results of our recent interviews with local farmers, retailers and institutions Recommendations for growing wholesale channels into retail and institutions for small to mid…
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Recap: 2023 Community Food Security Planning Session

Recap: 2023 Community Food Security Planning Session

Event Recap
About the Event Land to Table held a Community Food Security Planning Session on March 2nd, bringing together individuals from various organizations, local government, and educational, health, and religious institutions throughout the North Okanagan region who are addressing food insecurity with an interest to move towards greater community food security overall. This was the first event of this size that we have hosted in 3 years! All agreed it was good to gather in this way! Nearly 30 representatives were present! We were pleased to have our Spokes, Whitevalley Community Resource Centre, Okanagan Indian Band, the Good Food Box, share their insights on their programs and how the Hub has contributed to their capacity and growth. Attendees found the hub presentations helpful, saying they “loved hearing the presentations from the…
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May 12, 2022 | BX Open House

May 12, 2022 | BX Open House

Events, Past Event
In 2021, The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS) and the Land to Table Network of the North Okanagan (L2T) were contracted by the Regional District of the North Okanagan (RDNO) to prepare a 5 year development plan for the BX Ranchlands parcel at 4122 East Vernon Rd. The site is a valued community resource for agriculture, recreation, and conservation. In order to explore these interests further, ISFS and L2T worked with the RDNO and local stakeholders to draft a plan for the site that will maintain community access while supporting ecological well-being and encouraging agricultural opportunities for local farmers and growers.  Watch a Video on the Proposed Development Plan You can click button above for a detailed overview of the plan or you can download a summary of the…
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April 20, 2022 | Learning Circle: Whole System Perspectives

April 20, 2022 | Learning Circle: Whole System Perspectives

Events, Past Event
We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming and final Learning Circle Series session looking at: Systems Perspectives.  This discussion will highlight the key points that we have learned in the series so far, and will ask panelists to help us further define and understand the complex/system issues that continue to impact local food procurement (at institutions), and how we create new systems that are sustainable in the long term.  We invite you to join us for this upcoming session over Zoom, Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (PST). Speakers will include (but are not limited to): Panelist Lindsay Harris, Kamloops Food Policy Council Panelist Brittany Maguire, Meal Exchange David Speight, UBC Food Services Register here to join us for this upcoming session over Zoom, Wednesday, April…
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March 22, 2022 | Learning Circle: Aggregation & Distribution

March 22, 2022 | Learning Circle: Aggregation & Distribution

Events, Past Event
Over the past year, Land to Table (L2T) and UBC Okanagan have partnered in collaboration with the Institute for Community Engaged Research (ICER) to undertake a local food procurement pilot project.  As a part of our ongoing exploration into existing modes of institutional local food procurement, we are hosting a series of three learning circle sessions. Our first session (Feb 2, 2022) Institutional Perspectives, featured discussion on procurement logistics and relationships, the values that guide decision-making, how partners balance cost, and how institutions engage with students. Please find the recorded session here.  Our upcoming session, Aggregation & Distribution will feature farmer and aggregator/distributor perspectives on supplying to and working alongside institutions. In this session panelists will share different models for aggregation/distribution; the values that shape those models, financial challenges and…
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Experts on Tap: Tips and Tricks for Exhibiting and Selling New Products

Experts on Tap: Tips and Tricks for Exhibiting and Selling New Products

Event Recap, Events
On Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, we held a live, online discussion with industry experts to help producers elevate their businesses and gain new listings and retail opportunities. Plus, the panel offered tips and tricks for exhibiting and preparing for upcoming events, including the Local Food & Buyers Mixer (March 18th) and the 9th Annual Cheese! It's a Natural Festival (March 19th) in Armstrong.In case you missed this event or want to listen to the experts one more time, you can check out the highlights and the event recording below! Advice for business owners who are exhibiting for the first time at a food expo Before you go:  Find out what your space is going to be likeHave your pitch practiced and ready to goKnow your cost of goods and what…
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Recording: 2021 North Okanagan-Shuswap Online Food Forum

Recording: 2021 North Okanagan-Shuswap Online Food Forum

Event Recap, Events
On Sept. 17th, we hosted the 2021 Eat Think Vote: North Okanagan Online Food Forum. The event featured four out of five federal candidates, as well as panelists representing agriculture, Indigenous and food insecurity perspectives.We had a great turnout, with 42 participants (including candidates and panelists). And, we made history as being the very first online Eat Think Vote event! All in all, it was a great opportunity to hear from a number of different people, from different sectors in our community, about the significant (and long lasting) impacts that COVID and this last summer of heat and fires has had on our communities, farmers, s upply chains and food insecurity. In case you missed the event, or want to hear the perspectives one more time, you can view the…
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May 19, 2021 | L2T Processors Meet Up (Online)

May 19, 2021 | L2T Processors Meet Up (Online)

Events, Past Event
Wednesday, May 19th | 7 - 8:30pm | Zoom In January we met with over a dozen local food processors —for industry updates and networking— and agreed that May would be a great time to reconnect. We had hoped to meet at the BX Cidery but alas, COVID is still very much with us. Before the nice weather and long days call you away from the computer, we hope that you will plan to join us, along with the Small Scale Food Processors Association, on Wednesday May 19th at 7-8:30pm. Join via Zoom from the comfort of your home for a jam-packed agenda, including: IntroductionsPresentation from Kristina Bouris of Feed BC - sneak preview of the new Value Chain Innovation ServiceOk/Shu listserv launch - for food processors across the Okanagan…
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Embracing Change in Challenging Times: 2021 BC Organic Conference

Embracing Change in Challenging Times: 2021 BC Organic Conference

Events, Past Event
With so many twists and turns these days, it's always interesting to hear how organizations adapt their activities to keep up with the changing times. And, how they continue to grow and strengthen their networks in new and unexpected ways. The Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC) is hosting its annual BC Organic Conference at the end of February. Typically, this event is an in-person gathering that brings together BC's organic community over a weekend of educational sessions, workshops, social events, and really great food (buffet style--remember those days?!). But, like so many other organizations, the COABC had to take a pause, regroup and carve out a new vision for this major event. After much pivoting and planning, the 2021 BC Organic Conference, which is happening on Feb 27 -…
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