Kaslo Food Security Project (KFSP)
Lawns to Gardens
The Kaslo and Area Food Security Project is holding a lawns to gardens contest where contestants may win the opportunity to have us come in and convert their lawn Into a garden! No more entries are being accepted but stay tuned to see what lawn is being changed into a garden!
Contest officially begins April 12th applications & ballot boxes can be found at Irly building, Kaslo Family centre, sunnyside and community services. Application should be in no later than may 6th & winners will be announced at the maydays garden festival- May 19th @ 2pm!
Criteria is: Family with kids or seniors can apply. Within kaslo , defined as upper & lower kaslo, back road, arena area, & the bay Requires contestant winners participation and keen interest in long term maintenance of gardens installed
Garden installation will have a focus of: chemical free/organic water saving devices/techniques, easy maintenance, food producing, & native plants
Farmer Mapping & Profiles
Farmer's Directory and Market Directory now available.
Through our work, a very important initiative is now available to support our local farmers. The Kaslo Food Security Project, through funding from the Community Food Action Initiative and Interior Health, has inventoried the farmers, market gardeners and food producers to create a West Kootenay Food Directory. We have also inventoried the retail outlets, whether a farmers market, restaurant or grocery store that support local foods. These resources will engage a more vibrant market for local foods produced, help connect farmers to local markets, and work with them in whatever capacity we can to increase their ability to feed our community.
Kaslo Village third in province to have a food charter
The Kaslo Village council adopted a resolution on February 12, 2008 stating that the Kaslo Food Charter as written by the Kaslo Food Security project, be adopted in principle making Kaslo the third municipality in BC to have a food charter, about 8th in all of Canada.
In these days of looming climate change and food supply changes, this makes for a rainbow in the storms. By having a food charter, the Village of Kaslo is firmly stating that food, health and the environment are important factors to the town's well-being.
A food charter is a statement of guiding principles, in this case specifically referring to the local foodshed. As food travels an average of 3000km to get to our plates, costs of rising fuel, the affects of climate change and food sovereignty are all playing important roles on the global plate. These factors are combining to make our dinner plates of questionable health, cost and sustainability.
Through the Local Food Directory website we were able to determine that for every KG of vegetables grown locally, Kaslo residents will save 664g of greenhouse gas emissions. Considering we have about 14,000kg of food shipped to us in one summer month that is a savings of more than 27 tonnes of GHG if we were to grow all food locally just for June, July, and August. Although that change won't happen overnight, through the food charter, the municipal government is creating a foundation to encourage and support farmers and business to focus on local food and the local economy.
Given that food is now 90% dependent on oil inputs, we are not only looking at food security as an environmental safeguard, but as a means to make our village less vulnerable to drastic changes caused by rising fuel costs. By adopting a food charter Kaslo has accepted, acknowledged, and is being active about ensuring residents will have access to fresh, healthy and affordable food - the foundation of food security. Kaslo is located one hour north of Nelson, nestled between the majestic Purcell and Selkirk ranges on Kootenay Lake.
For more information, contact the Kaslo and Area food security coordinator, Aimee Watson at North Kootenay Lake Community Services 250-353-7691 or aimeewatson@nklcss.org
Community Garden
NKLCSS & KFSP currently hold the lease on the community garden. We have created The Community Garden Society of Kaslo. We have many ideas and visions for the future, including educational programs for children, plots for community food, family and individual plots, a play area for families, furthering the fence…oh the ideas and creativity are endless!! To be involved or obtain a plot for 2008, contact us!
Community Kitchen Initiative
The winter of 07, we conducted a feasibility study on what Kaslo needs in terms of a community or commercial kitchen. The results at the time indicated a community kitchen for canning, cooking courses, meal preparations, potlucks, a root cellar, drying space for medicinal and edible plants as well as a space for education purposes was mostly what North Kootenay Lake residents desired. A commercial kitchen, which is a space for those wishing to produce value added products for commercial sale, is desired as well. However the demand is minimal compared to a community kitchen. Our plan is to further the community kitchen initiative through spaces currently available and build programming as we go. As needs arise for commercial spaces, we will also assist in creating space for social ventures.
Farmers Markets
You can find the KFSP coordinator at the Kaslo Farmers Markets Saturday's throughout the summer season. We offer space at out booth for local growers/farmers who economically cannot be away from their gardens at the time. We also use the time and space to be available to the public for questions, ideas, overall networking. Come and see Aimee on Saturdays at the bowling greens on Front Street.
Food For Families
A portion of fundraising the KFSP does is going to purchasing foodstuffs from local farmers which we then redistribute to family & outreach programs in the North Kootenay Lake Region. The food is made available at no cost; folks may simply choose what their family or homes may be lacking for a healthier diet.
Community Meals & Speaker Series
Our first community meal was a fundraiser as well as an educational opportunity to introduce the KFSP. A solstice dinner made with mostly North Kootenay Lake ingredients. As the gardens grow, especially our own in the community garden, we will be having community 100 mile diet potlucks. Gathering to eat together, a beautiful act we have lost in our busy lives, share recipes, ensure all who are hungry and needing nutrients will eat as well as talk about how we can support and further enhance our local food system.
Knowledge Pantry
Through our work, we are also following many studies and updates on regional, provincial, national and international food security campaigns so that we may be able to provide any of our community members with up to date information. Please ask any questions, offer ideas and of course- grow food!!
For more information, contact Aimee Watson
aimeewatson@nklcss.org
353-7691