Welcome to Foodshare
Ongoing Events and Groups:
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Bowen Park Auditorium
Everybody is welcome to attend this popular annual event. Trade or purchase organic and non-hybrid seeds, native plants, bee houses, rain barrels and other tools for self-reliance. There will also be an activity centre for kids! Bring your own seeds to the seed exchange table.
This popular event, which is put on by the Nanaimo Foodshare Society and the Nanaimo Community Garden Society, traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of every March, just in time for gardeners to pick up a great variety of seeds, seedlings, and other gardening material and supplies. The focus is on, but not limited to, organic, heritage and heirloom seed varieties. Attendees should be sure to bring their own well marked seeds to trade at the seed exchange table.
Admission $3.00
Contact Stephen Cochrane, Nanaimo Foodshare @ foodsharehome@shaw.ca
Food From Around the World
6 classes $54.00
Tuesdays Feb 23rd - March 30th
3.30 - 5pm
Age 9-12 yrs
Participants will learn about a different country each week as they discover how to cook food from around the world. Appetizers, entrees and desserts from Greece, Italy, Mexico, China, India and the Middle East.
Call (250) 756-5200 to Register
Wednesdays Feb 24th - March 31st
3.30 - 5pm
Age 6-10
Become a whiz in the kitchen by learning basic kitchen skills and some fabulous new recipes. Impress your family at the end of the program by serving them a sit down meal you have created. Includes appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts.
Call (250) 756-5200 to Register
Mondays March 1st - March 22nd
3.15 - 5.45pm
Age 9 -12
Hands on cooking and gardening activities. Participants will have an opportunity to work in both the kitchen and the garden and learn about the valuable connection between the two. In these 4 week sessions children will have fun planting and harvesting vegetables from the garden to make a variety of vegetarian dishes and healthy snacks. You will be surprised at what they will eat, when they are involved in the growing and preparation of food!
Call (250) 756-5200 to Register
Come and learn how to cook simple meals common to Canada while learning healthy cooking/eating skills that can also assist in meeting your budget. You’ll meet new friends and see others you already know while having fun cooking together!
Wednesdays Jan. 13 - Feb. 10 3:00 - 6:00 pm
To Register please call Nanaimo Foodshare (250)753-9393
View the Food Skills for Families Microsoft Word document for full details.
Anna Dodds, Program Coordinator and Nanaimo Foodshare's "Community Roots Food Garden" have been selected to receive an Innovative Community Capacity Building Award from the Canadian Cancer Society's Community Capacity Building Strategy, an initiative of the BC Healthy Living Alliance. The Innovative Community Development Award aims to:
- Recognize local development/redevelopment projects or programs, and the individuals behind them, that inspire communities to take action to identify and meet their own needs; and
- Honour individuals and their affiliated organizations who continually contribute to the foundation of their community.
- These awards are a result of the desire to recognize excellence in building the viability of communities in BC outside of the work done by the Community Capacity Building Strategy.
Congratulations to Anna on being among the 12 award recipients selected in the Vancouver Island region!
The IGFI is a partnership strategy aimed at building a sustainable Vancouver Island and Coastal Region high value food system The lead organizations in the initiative include Nanaimo Foodshare, Nanaimo Association for Community Living, the Island Farmer's Alliance, Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Cooperative, Edible Strategies and many others involved in various advisory committees. Nanaimo Foodshare has taken the role as host for many of the projects since this work is important to us in moving our own mission forward.
We also need more directors at large to provide leadership to the volunteer groups we hope to bring together, to establish committee terms of reference, make recommendations to the board, and bring projects to successful conclusions.
As we develop our volunteer program we will also require volunteers to participate in community activities, create or participate in "one-off" educational &/or fundraising activities, the Foodlink farmers market information booth, the development of the annual Seedy Sunday in Nanaimo as well as other volunteer opportunities as they arise.
We believe that we have a lot to offer volunteers:
* a cause that is widely supported;
* a dynamic Executive Director;
* capable and cheerful people working on funded projects;
* a friendly and knowledgeable board;
* exciting projects already operating.
Join us and become part of Nanaimo's food secure future.
FOODSHARE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Sign up now to become a member of Nanaimo Foodshare. Membership is only $5 a year and includes invitations to special events, voting rights on matters that affect the society, and special rates on space and equipment rental. Email foodshareadmin@shaw.ca for more info.
The Mostar Depot is located at 4151 Mostar Rd., Unit 4, east of the Nanaimo Parkway. Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri 9 - 5:30 Sat 9 - 5, Sun 10 - 4.
FoodSafe level 1 & 2: Learn safe food handling procedures that reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Visit the official Foodsafe site to find upcoming courses in the area here. Certification upon completion.

