15Dec 2022 by admin
L2T Reflections 2022

L2T Reflections 2022

L2T Updates
In a word, 2022 for Land to Table felt like “settling-in” (technically two words)... for us this has meant gaining clarity about the value of a Network organization, including growing in our capacity building role; being creative about how we partner to access funding, and house our growing L2T team; and focussing in on two clear streams of work (value chain development and community food security). We continue to be guided by a vision to build a thriving, healthy, just and resilient regional food system... And believe that a well connected and coordinated network, with a shared purpose and vision can create meaningful systems change in the North Okanagan.  Here is how we think about the roles that we play as a Network: The first is to build a connected…
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25Oct 2022 by admin
L2T October Highlights

L2T October Highlights

L2T Updates
Land to Table was busy this month. Here are some of our highlights from October. On October 5th, Network Director, Liz Blakeway attended the United For Food Summit, hosted by United Way BC (one of our key funding partners) at the Red Barn on the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN). What a treat to meet in person, exchange stories with fellow Regional Community Food Hubs and learn about TFN “celiselem” Community Farm. It was encouraging to hear about UWBC’s commitment to working with partners on the ground to create greater access to funding, streamline reporting, and provide greater support toward community impact and advancing advocacy. On October 22nd, we hosted a farm tour for a group of students and staff from UBCO. Tour stops included farms and…
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28Sep 2022 by admin
What is L2T Up to this Year?

What is L2T Up to this Year?

L2T Updates
Land to Table took on an extraordinary number of projects last year (March 2021-2022 with a summary report coming soon). And from that great work and engagement, there are two clear ‘project paths’ that we are excited to be expanding on over the next six months. Local Food Procurement through Value Chain Development With new funding from Feed BC, UBC, and also the RDNO (Rural Economic Development Grant) we are pleased to be expanding our work the focusses on growing the local food economy. Building on the successes and foundation of a first-year collaborations and achievements with UBCO, the focus this year is to deepen our work and impact wit UBCO, expand our knowledge and lessons learned to build relationships with other institutions and undertake some research of our own.…
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13Jun 2022 by admin
Media Release: Land to Table Continues to Steward United Way BC Regional Community Food Hub Initiative

Media Release: Land to Table Continues to Steward United Way BC Regional Community Food Hub Initiative

L2T Updates, News
NORTH OKANAGAN-SHUSWAP, JUNE 13, 2022 – We are pleased to announce that Land to Table will be continuing on as a steward for United Way British Columbia’s (UWBC) Regional Community Food Hub in the North Okanagan.  Over the past year, in collaboration with UWBC, Land to Table has been fulfilling this role by working collaboratively with our partners at the Okanagan Indian Band, The Good Food Box and the White Valley Resource Centre to address challenges and opportunities within the local emergency food sector, to increase organizational capacity and impact. Together, we have delivered over 3,200 hampers and meals, filled with local eggs, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables, to seniors, young families and those impacted by the wildfires of 2021. In all program delivery, there is a focus to include…
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15Feb 2022 by admin
OKIB Meat Drive Update

OKIB Meat Drive Update

L2T Updates, News
The staff of OKIB, L2T, and SPARC BC would like to celebrate the success of the Fire & Flood Recovery Meat Drive.  With incredible support from our network we were able to exceed our goal of $5000, raising an outstanding total of $8070.  We are now working with 5 local farmers who were impacted by the rising cost of feed and highway closures to secure chicken, pork and beef for the OKIB community. As far as traditional food, your generosity has helped us to support a local OKIB hunter in bringing in deer meat for the community. On top of this we are working with an OKIB community member to revitalize traditional Indigenous trade routes and bring in salmon and halibut from the coast.  Despite their own struggles, many of…
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07Dec 2021 by admin
Ending the Year: L2T Reflects

Ending the Year: L2T Reflects

L2T Updates, News
Hello L2T Family,  Though the extremes in weather have made this an exceptionally difficult year for many in our food network, it has been encouraging to see our community come together to face these challenges head on.  While there is still a great deal of work to be done, we would like to take a moment to highlight and acknowledge some of our exciting projects that you/our network have helped make a reality.  Over the past year, we have had the opportunity to work alongside farmers/farms like Enderberry Farm and Curlew Orchard and members of the UBC Okanagan campus to pilot an innovative model for local food procurement. At each step of the project, we have sought to understand the gaps in our local food system and develop solutions that…
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03Dec 2021 by admin
Okanagan Indian Band Meat Drive: Fire & Flood Recovery

Okanagan Indian Band Meat Drive: Fire & Flood Recovery

L2T Updates, News, Regional News
UPDATE: Thanks to your incredible support we have passed our original goal of $5000! Initially, we thought this would be a tough goal to meet but clearly we underestimated your generosity. However, there are still many fire recovery and food security initiatives underway at OKIB, all in need of support, including the OKIB Fire Recovery fund. With this in mind, the OKIB food security coordinator, Nikki Lorentz, will be making decisions about allocating the surplus funds between this meat drive and other important recovery and food security initiatives such as OKIB's collaboration with the Good Food Box OKIB community garden. This will be reported back transparently to all donors through this site. We welcome your continued support. Members of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) are recovering from the devastating wildfire…
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27Sep 2021 by admin
Media Release: Land to Table Stewards United Way BC Regional Community Food Hub Initiative

Media Release: Land to Table Stewards United Way BC Regional Community Food Hub Initiative

L2T Updates, News
Download as a PDF NORTH OKANAGAN-SHUSWAP, September 27, 2021 - Land to Table has taken on the role of steward for United Way British Columbia’s Regional Community Food Hub in the North Okanagan. In this role, we aim to connect and support community organizations working to make food more accessible. Our new Food Access Coordinator, Kelly Panchyshyn, will be partnering with the Okanagan Indian Band, The Good Food Box and the White Valley Resource Centre to assess need, secure additional resources, launch new programs, and strengthen their volunteer networks. Together, we aim to secure more equitable access to sustainable, healthy, local, and culturally connected food for those living in the North Okanagan.  As part of this initiative, Land to Table will also be hosting a series of meetings designed to…
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22Apr 2021 by admin
Did You Know That Land to Table is Three Years Old?

Did You Know That Land to Table is Three Years Old?

L2T Updates, News
Well, actually that’s not entirely correct. The founders of L2T first met in 2015 and held the first forum in 2018. But L2T has had a paid Coordinator (me — Liz) for three years. That’s no small thing for a new network.  When I started in April 2018 I was very new to the concept of a network (as an organizational structure) and pretty new to food systems work. The Vermont Farm to Plate model was the shining example of what was possible, and relationships (built on trust) put at the centre of everything we do. We have come a long way since April 2018. Today I am proud to share what that looks like in 2021–2022. Part natural evolution, part funding necessity, 2021 will focus largely on projects. This…
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