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We acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.
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It's November!
With two months left in the year, we are busy tucking in our community gardens and raising funds for our end of year program drive.
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Kids in the Garden Year End Drive
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and Parent Advisory Councils have faced challenges establishing funds to support programs like Kids in the Garden. In light of this, Urban Bounty is reaching out to supporters like you to help us subsidize these costs.
Your donation will allow Richmond school children to build their confidence, skills, and community connections through gardening. Studies have proven that those who spend more time in nature are more likely to care for the environment.
A holiday gift of $40 will pay for one student to be a part of the program. Thanks to you, one child next year will join Kids in the Garden and create lifelong habits, values, and skills that can help them make healthier and more sustainable choices.
For this Giving Tuesday on November 30th donate here to support a brighter future for the children of today.
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So far, we have had two sessions of the Kids in the Garden program for the 2021-2022 school year. In Lesson 1, students got their hands in the soil and learned about autumn garden care. In Lesson 2, they learned about the importance of local eating and how to make individual bread rolls. We were amazed at the students' kneading abilities!
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New Report Launch
Urban Bounty is pleased to announce the launch of the report, Policy & Data Backgrounder for a Richmond Food System Collaborative Mapping Process, written by our Summer Intern, Savannah Tuck.
- One of the key findings from this research is that policies addressing food systems and poverty are not informed by and with the community. As a result, issues of inequity and exclusion persist within Richmond.
- This report aims to help identify opportunities to engage a diverse set of actors, centering the voices of historically excluded communities for a collaborative mapping process seeking to realize an inclusive, empowered, self-reliant, equitable food system in Richmond.
Read the full report here on our website
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Community Gardens
Thank you to everyone that has sent out our accessibility survey and completed it. It’s an ongoing survey so please continue to pass it on. We are actively working with the city and community organizations to increase accessibility in our gardens which we hope to implement for our new garden builds.
Our Fall community garden reviews are underway! The garden reviews occur seasonally and are a great way to meet gardeners and address any issues. We are almost done with all our reviews and it has been wonderful to see all the unique ways of growing each gardener has demonstrated in their plot. |
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Photo by Steph M. (Cook Community Garden)
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Garden Tips of the Month
Start planning ahead for the season next year! Get your supplies, seeds, and planning in order for Spring. Plan out your crops and get an early start on purchasing seeds, while supporting some local seed stockers:
- BC Eco-Seed Co-op
- The BC Eco Seed Co-op is a producers cooperative of 20+ farmers providing BC grown, certified organic and ecological seeds grown on farms across British Columbia. From packet size to large bulk quantities, the BC Eco Seed Co-op has seeds for growers of all sizes.
- More local seed producers here
Plan to attend a ‘Seedy Saturday’ next year where you can meet like-minded growers and exchange seeds! Locally saved seeds are better adapted to the growing conditions here.
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Local Honey and Mead For Sale!
Support Urban Bounty and purchase some of our (very own) local honey and mead:
500 ml jar of honey - $25
250 ml jar of honey - $15
500 ml bottle of mead (honey wine) - $15
Pre-order and pay via e-transfer to director@richmondfoodsecurity.org
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Dish it Up
Moist and Easy Carrot Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour OR gluten-free flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 ¼ cups (295 ml) canola or other vegetable oil
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1 cup (200 grams) lightly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs OR see vegan option below
3 cups (300 grams) grated peeled carrots/apples (3 medium carrots and 3 medium apples)
¼ cup chia seeds
Optional frosting:
8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ¼ cups (140 grams) powdered sugar
1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (50 grams) coarsely chopped pecans, for topping cake
Directions
1.Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper then grease the top of the paper OR one large baking pan
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and the cardamom until well blended.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, sugars, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until combined.
4. Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth. Stir in the carrots, apples, nuts, and chia seeds.
5. Pour into large baking pan with parchment paper and bake for 35 to 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Optional frosting to finish: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
7.Beat in the powdered sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time until fluffy. Pour in cream and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Chill covered until ready to frost cake.
8. When the cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, place the other cake layer on top. Decoratively swirl the top of the cake with remaining frosting, leaving the sides unfrosted. Scatter nuts on top.
Enjoy!
*To make this vegan whisk together two tablespoons of water, one teaspoon of oil (like corn or vegetable oil) and two teaspoons of baking powder. One serving of this mixture is equivalent to one missing egg.
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What's Happening in Richmond
Farmers for Climate Action Solutions
- If you are interested in promoting climate action in agriculture, click this link.
ArtRich 2021
- Richmond Art Gallery in partnership with Richmond Arts Coalition (RAC) presents the fourth bi-annual, juried exhibition opening on Friday, Dec 3.Winners will be announced in the Richmond News early January 2022. In a partnership with the City of Richmond, one artwork from the exhibition will be selected for public display on No. 3 Road Art Columns, from February 1 to August 1, 2022.
Please let us know if you would like us to spread the word about a local event happening soon in Richmond!
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If you are interested in our work and helping us continue it, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. Your support will go directly to our programs.
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- We are working from home as much as we can, so please contact us via email.
- For inquiries about community gardens, seed library, fruit gleaning, and garden questions, email coordinator@richmondfoodsecurity.org.
- For inquiries about the Kids in the Garden program, school workshops, and youth outreach, email programs@richmondfoodsecurity.org.
- For general questions, contact us here.
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