There is a lot happening in the next month, with opportunities to have your say and get involved in food security in Newfoundland and Labrador! If you know of an event that should be added to this post, send the details to info@rootcellarsrock.ca.
1. First Meeting: FSN Fisheries Committee
When: Monday, January 23rd Time: 7:00 p.m. Where: 44 Torbay Road, Suite 110, St. John’s (or provincially via toll-free teleconference)
This year, the Food Security Network of Newfoundland and Labrador will be co-ordinating a Fisheries Committee, which intends to bring interested citizens and fisheries stakeholders together in order to discuss commercial and recreational fisheries in the province. The goal of this committee is to assess current fishing activities, document the significance of fishing to local foodways (by sharing stories and information on the Root Cellars Rock Blog) and examining the viability of increased local fish marketing practices throughout the province.
Kristen Lowitt, a PhD Candidate at Memorial University, will lead discussions and oversee the committee’s activities, with support from Food Security Network staff. Meetings will be held on a bi-monthly basis, and committee members will determine some discussion topics and other activities together as meetings progress.
Teleconferencing is available for those who are unable to be there in person. If you are interested in joining us or staying informed about our activities, please contact Laura Nelson-Hamilton at info@foodsecuritynews.com
2. Free FSN Teleconference: School Gardening
When: Monday, January 30th Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Labrador) Cost: Free
Where: provincially via toll-free teleconference
This past summer students in Happy Valley-Goose Bay learned about something new: seed starting. It’s all thanks to a new volunteer run initiative that sees elementary school students planting seeds in April to be transplanted to a children’s garden in the summer. The program partnered with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s summer recreational program, whose participants tended to the children’s garden throughout the summer months.
Keynote Speaker: Jill Airhart, coordinator of the children's garden program, will provide an overview of how she and other volunteers started this successful program, including partnership development, funding, activities and workshops, and more.
The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion.
REGISTER by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 27th, by contacting Rick Kelly at richardkelly@foodsecuritynews.
About FSN teleconferences: Participants call in to a free 1-800 number which connects them to the presenter and all the other participants. Before the teleconference FSN distributes, via email, the call-in instructions as well as a PDF presentation to follow along with on your own computer.
3. Provincial Annual Pre-Budget Consultations
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is holding its annual pre-budget consultations in communities across the province. These consultations are a great opportunity to make your voice heard on many issues in the province, including food security.
Schedule:
| Friday, January 13 | St. John’s | Capital Hotel | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday, January 20 | Corner Brook | Glynmill Inn | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
| Friday, January 20 | Stephenville | Holiday Inn | 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Monday, January 23 | St. Anthony | Hotel North | 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
| Monday, January 30 | Arnold’s Cove | Recreation Building | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
| Monday, January 30 | Burin | TBD | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Monday, February 6 | Wabush | Town Hall – Council Chambers | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Monday, February 6 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Labrador Friendship Centre | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Monday, February 13 | Gander | Hotel Gander | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Monday, February 13 | Grand Falls-Windsor | Mount Peyton Hotel | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Written submissions can also be made. To register (at least 48 hours in advance), or for more information, visit: http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/
