Free Compost Bins, Collingwood Days, Summer Canning Workshops, Summer Employment Opportunity

Kimchi workshop.

Collingwood Days is our big annual community festival and is coming up this weekend. There will be lots of activities for people of all ages including a BMX trick show, rock climbing wall, live performances (including Hybrid Movement), face painting, Seniors' Strawberry Tea, and more.

This year's Food Security booth will feature seed and plant sales, volunteers to answer to your gardening questions, heritage garden plant displays, raffle prizes, healthy snack demonstrations, canning information, composting information, and lots of other fun stuff.

Carleton School (3250 Kingsway at Joyce St.)
Saturday June 4
11am-5pm.


If you live in Renfrew-Collingwood and would like to start composting, you can partcipate in our summer compost study and get yourself a very fine FREE compost bin! Click on the poster below for more details, or visit our Collingwood Days booth to find out more in person.

June Canning Dates

June canning workshops will be held at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce St.).

Rhubarb Chutney
Wednesday June 8
1-4pm

Seasonal Fruit Jam
Wednesday June 15
1-4pm

And don't forget that Community Kitchen is always the last Wednesday of the month from 5-8:30pm.

Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Food Security Practicum Opportunity

We're hiring!

Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute
c/o Collingwood Neighbourhood House
5288 Joyce. St, Vancouver BC
V5R 6C9, 604-435-0323

Term: July 8-September 2, 2011 (8 weeks)

Education Level
Secondary or post-secondary with an interest in planning, geography, social work, environmental sciences, agriculture/land and food systems,
anthropology.

Description of Organization
The Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute (RC FSI) is a non-profit organization established in 2002. We support and encourage initiatives focused on organic growing, healthful cooking, harvesting, sharing of food knowledge and resources, leadership development, and capacity building. The RC FSI works in collaboration with Collingwood Neighbourhood House to develop community learning, leadership and networking around the issues of food security and food sovereignty through a community development model.

We believe that food is a human right, and that the "right to food" means more than meeting basic nutritional requirements. We use food as a meeting point for community capacity building, inter-cultural and inter-generational understanding, and making Renfrew Collingwood a place of safety and belonging.

Description of Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist the Coordinator in promoting and developing food and food growing programs and resources, including rooftop gardening, community kitchens, and mason bee monitoring

• Facilitate or co-facilitate cooking and food preservation workshops with participants

• Work with volunteers and leadership teams to harvest and/or collect locally produced fruits and vegetables for distribution to low-income residents

• Document residents’ food traditions through photography, interviews, and storytelling transcription. Examples include immigrants’ gardening practices and Aboriginal food traditions

• Help map community food resources and facilitate participatory initiatives through volunteer support and leadership teams

• Assist in hosting community celebrations and educational events around organic food growing and sustainable food systems

• Assist in website/blog content development and maintenance

• Document and evaluate progress of work through weekly reports to supervisor

Specific Qualifications
Due to restrictions from HRSDC funding, the suitable candidates must be 15-30 years of age, legally able to work in Canada, and have been in full-time studies in the previous year and be returning to full time studies in the fall of 2011.

Preferred Qualifications Include

• Knowledge and passion for food issues and urban agriculture

• Familiarity with “food security” and “food sovereignty” issues

• Experience working with/leading volunteer teams

• Organizational and time management skills

• Ability to work independently and in groups

• Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings

• Preference will be given to persons living in the Renfrew-Collingwood Neighbourhood

Training Provided
• Program development and delivery

• Community development models for sustainable agriculture practices, food sharing, and related issues

• Skills related to gardening, food preservation, leadership, and participatory workshop facilitation

• Opportunity to obtain Food Safe Level 1 certificate

Compensation
$13.50/hr + benefits (35 hrs/week)
This position is subject to funding through HRSDC Canada.

Closing Date
June 13, 2010

We thank all individuals who apply for this position, and will be contacting shortlisted candidates directly. No phone calls please.

Please send resume and cover letter to foodsecurity@cnh.bc.ca
Attention: Stephanie Lim.