F2S Fall Training Session in BC
October 12 & 13, 2018
Hillel House, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
# attendees: 47
Theme/overall purpose:
This was the second training session offered for many of the F2S: Canada Digs In! grantees in BC. As such, this year the main theme of the event was Farm to School Sustainability: Let’s keep it growing!. The session also sought to celebrate the diversity and depth of knowledge among the 33 grantee schools in BC.
Short description:
This event convened primary, middle, and secondary, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous schools placed in rural and urban communities located in the mainland, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii Nation. The agenda for the two days was broken into sessions of, F2S sustainability and diversity, food literacy, salad bar, community connectedness, and growing food and fundraising.
Through roundtable discussions, networking activities, panels, and guest speakers, the BC animators Marcus and Claudia facilitated knowledge transfer among the schools to highlight the experience and uniqueness each school brings to the collective body of farm and local food to school initiatives here in BC – and across Canada.
Any additional details to highlight?
Guest speakers Marc Schutzbank (Fresh Roots), Barb Finley (Project Chef) and Arzeena Hamir (Amara Farm) brought inspiration and practical tips for enhancing and sustaining programs, improving food literacy, and working with local suppliers.
Saturday’s fantastic lunch was provided by Tayybeh Catering, a Vancouver company that creates Syrian home-style culinary specialties and supports Syrian women newcomers in Vancouver, showcasing their rich food culture and providing them with an income. Quite suiting, Tayybeh is the Arabic word for “delicious.”
What were people saying?
“We are going to re-work how we prep and run our salad bar so it is more efficient!”
“Love this! Thank you for giving me an opportunity to attend. It was a great weekend and wonderful event!”
“[It was] very interesting to hear how isolated schools overcome challenges and are able to succeed.”
“Thank you so much for a wonderful day and all of your support”
“Thank you for this opportunity to learn and share. A very inspiring weekend”.
“Great 2 days! Would love to see this happen every year!”
