The Foodfield Project FGCA Streetlife Committee – Updated May 20, 2015 Intention: food and community The Foodfield project will enhance food security and sense of community in Fairfield Gonzales. This area has a long history of local food abundance, and it’s time we create that again! This exciting project aims to increase local food growing: on public land, such as boulevards and parks (community orchard, anyone?); and on private property - including front yard gardens. The project also aims to expand local ability to prepare and preserve food through activities such as workshops, classes and community kitchens. Further, it aims to develop a local culture of food sharing – through community feasting, neighbourhood potlucks, and linkages with redistribution initiatives such as the Food Share Network. Possible activities to increase local food growing: Promote boulevard gardening, providing information and examples Provide access to garden development materials and resources Organize workshops and talks on food growing, fruit and nut tree pruning, etc. Link with the GRAFT project (Growing Regionally-Adapted Fruit Trees) to provide trees for Fairfield Gonzales Develop a community orchard, starting with a vision, a plan and neighbourhood engagement Link residents with the expertise and resources of LifeCycles, the Compost Education Centre, and others Possible activities to expand local abilities to prepare and preserve food: Approach: a community / City partnership Based on lessons learned from related projects, the most effective approach will be a City/community partnership. The City could provide materials, assist with infrastructure, and grant funds to resource community level engagement and action. The Fairfield Gonzales Community Association (FGCA) could liaise with residents, provide learning resources, and foster community development. Organize workshops on food preservation methods – dehydration, canning, and freezing Organize classes on food preparation, including cooking with local/seasonal ingredients, fermentation, raw food etc. Possible activities to develop a local culture of food sharing: Organize community feasts, celebrating the bounty of local food Encourage neighbourhood potlucks and food-abundant street parties Link with regional initiatives such as Food Share Network to distribute excess produce to those in need We welcome your suggestions - contact [email protected] 1 Background: the FGCA and the City are already leading the way The Fairfield Gonzales Community Association (FGCA) has demonstrated commitment to local food security through initiatives such as the Fairfield Community Garden Project and ongoing hosting of the Moss Street Market. The Community Garden, through partnership with the City of Victoria, has shown the potential for food growing and in the commons and volunteer-driven neighbourhood stewardship of food bearing trees and berry bushes. The City of Victoria has also shown its willingness to partner in commons food growing, through projects such as the Haultain Street walnut tree initiative (planted in 2012) and community orchard pilots in Fernwood and Vic West (planted in 2013). In 2014, the City introduced the Interim Boulevard Gardening Guidelines (final guidelines expected by 2016). Steps to date: Nov 2014: FGCA Streetlife Committee reps meet with Oaklands community gardening pioneers, sharing the story of the Haultain walnut trees and lessons learned… Jan-Feb ‘15: Streetlife Committee liaises with the FGCA Community Garden Committee, LifeCycles, Transition Victoria & others to discuss project Feb 24 ’15: Stakeholder dialogue hosted by Councillors Ben Isitt and Jeremy Loveday at Victoria City Hall March 3: City of Victoria Parks Planner Alia Johnson meets with James Pratt, FGCA Director Forrest Smith, and FGCA staff Vanya McDonell March 10: Stakeholder dialogue #2 at City Hall (James Pratt, Forrest Smith attend) March 16: Streetlife Committee discusses project March/Apr: FGCA Streetlife / City / others collaborate to develop proposal Next steps: Identify areas with strong prospects for boulevard gardening and community orchards Reach out to the community – including Moss Street Market tabling – and map existing and potential food growing Engage with residents in areas near possible community orchard sites Continue to connect with related initiatives, to share information, coordinate and cooperate Identify activities people are willing to lead, and explore business and community partnerships Your thoughts? Fairfield Community Garden Do you have ideas for this project? Please be in touch! Let us know how you willing to help? 2
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