|
We acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy February, Everyone!
Spring feels like it's around the corner, but we still have some cold weather ahead. We're trying to resist starting all our seeds and getting out into the garden too early as we're sure you are all feeling the same itch to get your hands dirty!
|
|
Charity Status
After waiting a year, RFSS is excited to announce that we are now an officially registered Canadian charity (Charity # 81632 6094 RR0001). A big shoutout to board members, Norm Goldstein, Donna Kwan, Stephanie Fan and Luther Sy for their time and effort in navigating our organization through this process.
Your contribution, no matter how small, helps to further our vision of “Healthy People, Community and Environment” Donations over $25 are now eligible for a tax receipt. If you would like to support us, donate here. If you would like to collaborate on a corporate fundraiser contact our Executive Director, Ian Lai at ian@richmondfoodsecurity.org
|
|
SGM - Updated Constitution
Following our Special General meeting, we’ve updated our constitution to meet the changing needs of the Richmond community. You can find our updated constitution here.
|
|
|
Interesting Reads
Feeding Students During COVID-19: an interesting report looking at the impacts and needs of BC's school food programs.
Unravelling: Non-profits, COVID 19, and the Fabric of BC Communities: a great infographic looking at the impact of COVID on non-profits.
|
|
|
Community Gardens
We have completed another renewal period and we appreciate all the gardeners that have renewed on time. We are working through the waitlist to fill new garden vacancies and calling gardeners who haven't renewed, and we appreciate your patience!
|
|
Garden Tip of the Month
With spring around the corner, it can be tempting to start your seeds early to get a jump on the growing season. If you start your seeds too early, they will have to be transplanted into larger and larger pots before the weather is warm enough to plant them outside or they will become root-bound in their pot. This can take up too much space and takes a lot of soil. You might not have enough light as well, causing ‘leggy’ weaker seedlings. Refer to planting guides that are made for your climate area. For our West Coast, see the guides from West Coast Seeds, Almanac, and the National Gardening Association.
Now is also a great time to source your seeds. You can find a local seed organization here or swap with family and friends. Many of us have extra seeds from past years that are still viable, you can try testing germination, or check the average lifespan of each seed here.
|
|
|
Seed Library
Our seed library will be available soon! We are still not in the library or at the Farmers Markets, so we’ll be continuing our online seed requests. Please check back soon!
The Citizen Seed Trial is back for its 5th year. This year they are trialling tomatoes, snow peas, and beets. Select which seeds you want to try, and sign up for their SeedLinked platform to track how the seeds are growing. Register by March 19th, 2021. You’ll receive your seeds shortly after. Sign up here.
|
|
Seedy Saturday & Seed Swap
As COVID continues to spread, we will not be going forward with an in-person event. We will be taking part in the virtual Seedy Saturday from February 19th to February 21st, 2021. You can find more information here.
We'll also be hosting a seed swap on Sunday, February 21st from 10 am to 2 pm at our Paulik office, 7611 Ash street. Bring your seeds to exchange, they must be open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds. We'll have the seed library and resources available. Also, we can answer your gardening questions so you start your garden on the best foot! We'll have COVID practices in place to keep you safe.
|
|
Kids in the Garden
This month we are teaching students about the importance of Mason Bees. Mason Bees help to ensure we have spring pollination of our food crops, like apples and blueberries. These are unique bees that don’t like to sting and can fly in cooler weather, very different from Honeybees. In nature, Mason Bees lay their eggs in hollow plant stems or cracks in stones. Their distinct name, Mason, comes from using mud to seal up their nests.
Learn more from our free Curriculum Guide on our website and select the topic on Mason Bees. This resource is free for other educators to use!
|
|
|
Dish it Up - Chewy Oat and Chocolate Chip (Gluten-free and Sugar-free!!)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup almond milk (any milk works)
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped dates
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350F
- In a medium mixing bowl, soak chia in almond milk for 10 minutes
- Add bananas, shredded coconut, almond butter, oats, dates and chocolate chips and mix
- Place a spoonful onto a parchment-lined baking sheet - makes 16 cookies
- Flatten cookie mix with a fork prior to baking
- Bake for roughly 20 minutes
- Remove from the oven and cool on a cooling rack
|
|
What's Happening in Richmond
- B.C.'s First Virtual Seedy Saturday: February 19th to 21st. Find more information here.
- RFSS Seed Swap: February 21st, from 10 am to 4 pm at 7611 Ash Street. Bring seeds to swap out, and sign out seeds from our seed library. Get resources on how to save seeds too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
