Email info@rootcellarsrock.ca to add your community food events to this listing or future months!
"The Future We Want": Sustainable Development Panel Discussion and Keynote Address by Gwynne Dyer
When: Sunday, April 1 Time: Panel: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Keynote: 7:30 pm Where: The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s Cost: $5 admission for the Keynote Address
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Rio Earth Summit, where sustainable development was put on the global agenda and key international agreements including the Climate Change Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity were born. World leaders will reconvene for Rio+20, in Brazil in June 20-22, 2012, to reaffirm political commitments to sustainable development, assess progress and challenges in implementing sustainable development objectives, and chart a path forward. The document “The Future We Want” frames the agenda and expected outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit.
As a lead up to the international Earth Summit, we present two public events to explore sustainable development in Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world.
A Discussion Panel: Sustainability in Newfoundland and Labrador Sunday April 1st, 2012 at 2:00-4:00 pm at The Lantern
- Food Security - Kristie Jameson, Food Security Network NL
- Sustainable Land Use - Dr. Luise Hermanutz, Memorial University
- Our Energy Future - David Bazeley, Former Director of Energy Policy, NL Government
- Sustainable Fisheries - Dr. Ian Fleming, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University
Keynote Address by Gywnne Dyer - RIO+20: Sustainable Development and the Green Economy Sunday April 1st, 2012 at 7:30 pm at The Lantern, Admission: $5
Tickets are available at the Lantern, Oxfam, or the NL Environment Network. Reserve your tickets by calling the Lantern at 753-8760 Parking is available in the Basilica parking lot, Military Road, St. John’s
Organized by The Lantern, Oxfam Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network, in partnership with Nature Newfoundland and Labrador and Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rabbittown Community Garden Tour
When: Saturday, April 7, 1 pm
Where: Rabbittown Community Garden, Graves St behind the Rabbittown Community Garden, St. John's
The Community Garden Alliance is hosting a tour of the Rabbittown Community Garden. This tour is open to everyone with an interest in growing your own food and especially those interested in becoming involved. Join the CGA on Facebook to check out how we've progressed over the years and e-mail Rachelle at cga.stjohns@gmail.com to tell us you're coming.
Grow Your Own (Plant Propogation 101) Workshop
When: Saturday, April 14, 9 am to 12 pm
Where: MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mt Scio Rd, St. John's
Instructor: Tim Walsh, Nursery Manager, MUN Botanical Garden
Tim has propagated thousands of plants over the years at MUNBG nursery. During this presentation he will show you some of his tried-and-true methods for successfully producing a wide variety of plants from seeds, cuttings and divisions. Several techniques will be demonstrated and depending on the weather, some demonstrations may take place outside (i.e. dividing perennials). Please wear comfortable clothing, including walking shoes.
Pre-registration required. Space is limited. For more information or to register:
MUN Division of Lifelong Learning Phone: 709-864-7979 Toll free: 1-866-959-8474 E-mail: lifelong.learning@mun.ca Visit the website.For more information on MUN Botanical Garden programs and events, please visit the Garden’s website.
2012 FEASt Fest
When: Saturday, April 14, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Foran Room, St. John's City Hall
Join FEASt for our annual springtime celebration of seeds, soil, and local foods!
The list of speakers for this year will be finalized soon, so please check out the FEASt website or facebook event for updates.
All are welcome - you don't have to be a gardener! There will be activities for children, and lunch, coffee, and tea will be served.
Admission is free, but donations are very gratefully accepted (suggested donation: $5 - $10).
We will be looking for volunteers to help us set up, serve food, and publicize FEASt Fest. If you can share your time and energy with us, please leave a comment on the facebook event and we'll send you a message. It's going to be a lot of fun!
National Volunteer Week
When: April 15- 21
Where: Across Canada!
To all volunteers across Canada, Thank you.
Volunteering is part of our identity as Canadians – we value civic participation and embrace a spirit of community. The tremendous efforts of our 13.3 million volunteers help make Canada a vibrant, safe place to call home. Across the country, Canadians are getting involved and leading positive change in a variety of ways, all of them vital – from quick bursts of mobile micro-volunteering on smartphones to front-line disaster relief efforts overseas. The work of volunteers is essential to maintaining healthy, dynamic communities at home and around the world. National Volunteer Week is all about taking time to recognize the incredible contributions of Canada’s volunteers and letting them know how much their efforts are appreciated.
Farming For Biodiversity Webinar
When: April 17, 8 pm Sackville/Labrador (8:30 pm Newfoundland)
Where: Webinar
So, biological diversity is one of the main principles of organic farming, but arguably the one least emphasized in certification. Organic growers are assumed to have more diverse, nature-friendly farms, but do they really? Learn about on-farm biodiversity and some practical ways we can increase habitat on organic farms.
Join Roxanne Beavers, ACORN's Organic Transition Specialist for a one-hour webinar/conference call. $10 or free for ACORN members. Register by calling 1-866-322-2676 or email lucia@acornorganic.org.
Resetting the Table: Stirring the Pot
When: April 18, from 2 pm-3:30 pm EST (3-4:30 pm Labrador, 3:30-5 pm Newfoundland)
Where: Teleconference
It's been a year since Food Secure Canada launched Resetting the Table, and it's time to kick it back into high gear! They want to hear from you, and together develop a strategy for continuing to build momentum across Canada for a healthy, just, sustainable food system and policies.
Please join us for a special anniversary teleconference meeting April 18th from 2:00-3:30pm EST to share what you've been doing with the People's Food Policy, meet FSC's new Executive Director Diana Bronson, brainstorm about a possible week-long meet your MP campaign and contribute your ideas and energy!
Sign up for the meeting to receive more information.
Are you unable to attend but want to share your thoughts? Please post them here.
Savour Food & Wine Show 
When: April 19, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Delta Hotel, St. John's
Over 45 exhibitors showcasing the best in Newfoundland and Labrador's food and wine. Organized by the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (RANL). Visit the website to find out which restaurants and businesses will have exhibits and for ticket purchasing locations. Tickets are $75 +hst.
Sharing Our Stories - From the North 
Join Kelly Goudie and Jill Airhart from Happy Valley- Goose Bay's Food Security Working Group for The Power of Community Led Food Assessments
When: April 20, 1 pm to 2 pm EST (2pm- 3pm Labrador, 2:30- 3:30 Newfoundland)
Where: Teleconference
Food Secure Canada is pleased to announce the launch of a new teleconference series – Sharing our Stories. The series will present stories about the inspiring work that people are doing across Canada to build the food system we want – one that is healthy, just and sustainable.
Sign up for the call, and learn more about FSC's Northern Food Network!
Creating the Year-Round Garden
When: Saturday, April 21, 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Points East Bed & Breakfast in Pouch Cove
A workshop for green thumbs and greenhorns! This one-day workshop will help you create a year-round garden so you can raise and harvest food all year long, by planting seasonally in raised beds with protective structures like cloches, cold frames, tunnels, row covers and greenhouses. By planting different crops in succession and protecting your plants, you can harvest food all through the year, even in the middle of winter.
Led by home gardener Dan Rubin of Perfectly Perennial Herbs and Seeds, this workshop will demonstrate raised bed construction and show you basic steps to create your own four-season garden. Learn about plant selection, seeding, soil enrichment, intensive planting and using protective structures to extend your growing season.
Workshop fee: $45, includes lunch, hands-on activities, group discussion and local garden tours.
Pre-registration is required. To register for the workshop or for more information call 709-335-8315 or email secondstage@hotmail.com
To order your own 3' x 6' foot raised bed kit, add $25 to workshop fee.
Downhome Lifestyle Expo
When: Friday April 20- Sunday April 22
Where: The Glacier Arena, Mount Pearl
Check out more than 200 booths and demonstrations, featuring the products and services you need to live life to the fullest in Newfoundland and Labrador. Play games, watch how-to demonstrations, tantalize your taste buds and explore DIY showcases, learn how to create that perfect culinary classic – with demonstrations by top local chefs, avail of Expo-exclusive deals on everything from ATVs to renovating your bathroom. Full details on the website.
Five Brothers Artisan Cheese Open House
When: Saturday, April 21 Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Where: 3 Cashin Ave, St. John's
It's a celebration! Five Brothers Artisan Cheese will be having an open house/grand opening for everybody to come down and enjoy a day of Newfoundland's first artisan cheese company. There will be live music, local chefs doing food demonstrations using Five Brothers Artisan Cheese, local politicians and media, cheese samples and ribbon cutting. Be sure to bring the whole family by and lets celebrate! For more information visit the Facebook event.
Mobilize the Earth: An Earth Day Fair at the Fluvarium
When: Sunday, April 22 Time: 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm Where: Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle's Place, St. John's Admission: Free
The Suncor Energy Fluvarium and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network (NLEN) are co-hosting a community-wide Earth Day Fair! This is an event for everyone: adults, youth and families alike.
Take environmentalism into your own hands with every day simple actions! Booths from organizations such as MMSB, Girl Guides, Newfoundland Vegans, Food Security Network NL, MUN Botanical Garden and many more will teach the public how to take the first step.
If you have any questions about this event or would like to find out how to get involved: Contact Trina at 754-3474 or info@fluvarium.ca.
Top Chef Seal of Approval Dinner
When: Thursday April 26
Where: Quidi Vidi Brewery, St. John's
Five of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Top Chefs will showcase their culinary skills and their support for our province’s seal fishery at the “Top Chef Seal of Approval Dinner”. Chef Todd Perrin, who made it to the top eight in the Food Network’s series Top Chef Canada 2011, will be joined in the kitchen by award winning Chefs Roary MacPherson of the Sheraton Hotel; Jeremy Charles of Raymonds; and Shaun Hussey and Michelle LeBlanc from Chinched Bistro, as the team prepares a meal exclusively using seal meat. The Home from The Sea campaign is raising $2.5 million to build a Sealers Memorial and an educational Interpretation Centre and walking path in Elliston, Trinity Bay. The project will honour and acknowledge the contributions of all sealers, as well as shape the education of future generations on how the seal fishery contributed to the economic survival of families and communities for generations. Guests will be treated to performances by local musicians and a five-course meal for $250 per person. Charitable tax receipts will also be issued for attendees. For more information on the event please contact Michelle Cannizzaro at (709) 753-0794 or mcannizzaro@homefromthesea.ca.
2012 Landscape and Garden Show
When: Saturday April 28, 10 am to 6 pm- Sunday April 29, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Jack Byrne Arena, 7 Kennedy's Brook Drive, Torbay
The biggest Landscape and Garden Show for Newfoundland! Come visit with many horticulture companies and get inspired for the upcoming season! Learn from industry experts at seminars. Enjoy time with your family and entertain the kids in our free Kids Play Zone! Full details on the Facebook page and website.
We are offering a variety of great seminars, free with your trade show entrance at this years event! - Mark Cullen: “Canadian Garden Primer”, "Grow Your Own”, and “Great Gardens Start Here” - Todd Boland: “Crevice Gardening, a new ‘Slant’ on Rock Gardening” - Ross Traverse: "Tricks of the Trade for Growing Your Own Vegetables" - Department of Environment: “New Changes to Lawn Care” - Panel of Professionals “Ask the Landscape, Nursery and Garden Centre Experts!” - Liz Klose: "Going to Pot: Container Gardening"
The Food Revolution Summit
When: April 28- May 6
Where: Worldwide, teleconference and webinar
Join Tom Robbins (author of Diet for a New America) and Ocean Robbins (founder of YES! Youth for Environmental Sanity) as they interview some of the most revolutionary scientists, doctors and nutritionists for the first ever, international food revolution summit. Sign in to listen to 3 free interviews a day over the course of a week. Interviews will be recorded and can be purchased after the event online. Visit the website for a full list of revolutionary speakers and sign-up information. They are on a mission to help you heal, grow and thrive.
