local resources
Hotlines / Online forums
City Farmer Compost Hotline: 604-736-2250
City recycling Hotline: 604-323-7710
VanDusen Plant Info Line: 604-257-8662
A great resource for networking and information sharing is the Vancouver Permaculture Network Yahoo group. There is always someone on the listserve with expertise in permaculture and urban agriculture. Join through Yahoo Groups and look for: vanpermaculture@yahoogroups.ca
For upcoming events and local food security news join the Vancouver Food Policy e-newsletter by visiting: vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/.
This page contains an overview of the manyprojects and activities in which the Food Policy team and Vancouver Food Policy Council are engaged.
Recommended Seed and Plant vendors
Saltspring Seeds
www.saltspringseeds.com
West Coast Seeds
Has a beautiful catalogue that functions as a guide with garden tips & great seeds
www.westcoastseeds.com
Local environmental/food security organizations
The Edible Garden Project:
The EGP works with a wide range of groups on the North Shore ranging from local government and health authorities to non-profit community groups as well as local social service providers. The EGP also strives to create relationships with local businesses. EPG is funded through a grant from the Community Health Promotion Fund, a UBCM program funded by the Ministry of Health. www.ediblegardenproject.com/our_network.htm
The Richmond Fruit Tree Project:
A non-profit volunteer group located in Richmond, B.C. The Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project is about connecting surplus fruit or vegetables to community members who lack access to fresh, nutritious food. www.richmondfruittree.com
Fresh Choice Community Kitchens:
A non-profit organization working to support and create Community Kitchens in Vancouver. They offer information, training and other support for people all over British Columbia to help increase community food knowledge and promote healthy choices. www.communitykitchens.ca
The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project:
A community-based, registered charity that works to increase access to fresh local fruit in communities throughout Vancouver. They connect people who have fruit trees, people who can help harvest fruit, and community groups that use fruit in their programs.
www.vancouverfruittreeproject.org/
Tree City:
Tree City engages citizens in the creation of a healthy environment through planting and caring for trees. Tree City helps communities create and care for the urban forest.
www.treecitycanada.ca
The Urban Diggers Society:
This group operates 4 community gardens in the Mount Pleasant area and is a long time advocate for public affordable urban agriculture opportunities.
Urban Diggers Society
c/o 204-272 East 4th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5T 4S2
Canada
Tel: 879-3676
Email: dig@vcn.bc.ca
SPEC:
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation is a non-profit charitable organization that addresses environmental issues in British Columbia, with a particular focus on urban communities in Lower Mainland and the Georgia Basin. Follow the link below to their page on Food Security and Greenspace preservation.
www.spec.bc.ca/project/focusarea.php?focusID=9
UBC Farm:
Located on UBC campus the UBC farm runs a farmers market, a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program, kids camps and many different educational initiatives for all ages linked to urban agriculture.
www.landfood.ubc.ca/ubcfarm
The Urban Aboriginal Community Kitchens Garden Project:
This program strives to provide the opportunity and support for Aboriginal people living in East Vancouver to improve capacity and create community by collectively, sustainably growing vegetables. The program is run out of Vancouver Native Health Society and takes place at UBC Farm.
www.vnhs.net/programs/garden.htm
LifeCycles Project Society:
An organization based out of Victoria B.C working in Urban Agriculture and the rural urban interface. They coordinate school ground garden projects, sharing backyards, food miles, a fruit tree project and more.
www.lifecylesproject.ca
Evergreen:
A national organization with an office in Vancouver. Their programs focus on School Ground Greening, Urban Stewardship and Native plant landscaping for the home. Their site has links to many educational and design resources.
www.evergreen.ca
City Farmer:
A site full of information and photos of Urban Agriculture here in Vancouver and around the world.
www.cityfarmer.org
Farm Folk City Folk:
Works with others to create a local sustainable food system.
www.ffcf.bc.ca
Your Local Farmer's Market Society:
Check this site for information on local markets, events, becoming a vendor etc.
www.eatlocal.org
MOBY: My Own Back Yard Community Garden
www.myownbackyard.ca
