Newsbites Archive

Just Food Seeking Volunteers to Serve on Our Board of Directors

April 2, 2019

Just Food seeks dedicated food systems volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors (terms are 3 years in duration, and can be renewed once to a 6-year maximum). 

We welcome people from diverse backgrounds, and in this call for expressions of interest, we are looking for a Treasurer, as well as 2-3 additional new Board members with some combination of the following:

  • Fundraising and/or sponsorship experience
  • Knowledge and expertise regarding food access among low-income communities
  • Advocacy experience related to food and/or agricultural policy
  • Knowledge of food-related social-enterprise governance
  • Experience in a non-profit organization working with government

Just Food is led by a volunteer Board of Directors (“the Board”).  We are a working Board with the mandate to determine Just Food’s mission and policies, provide strategic direction and oversight of its activities, ensure organizational accountability, and to support our staff – who manage and perform the operations of the organization.  Please read the Just Food Policies and Procedures for detailed information on the role and responsibilities of Directors, and the Just Food Constitution and our Vision, Mission and Mandate for more information on Just Food and how it is governed.

All Board members must be:

  • Committed to Just Food’s goals and values;
  • Able to commit a minimum of 4 hours per month to Just Food (more for Executive Committee members);
  • Knowledgeable of the local food context (important); and,
  • Members of Just Food.

Ideally, the new Board members will also have:

  • Experience in community-based non-profit organizational management;
  • Food system issues knowledge/analysis (desirable);
  • Background in one or another of Just Food areas of work; and,
  • Experience with Just Food (e.g., as a member or volunteer).

Interested?  Please send us a paragraph (maximum 350 words) introducing yourself and your experience, and telling us why you think you could make a positive contribution as one ofJust Food’s Board of Directors, along with a current CV, to mbender1@teksavvy.com by Monday April 29, 2019.  Interviews are expected to will take place early May.

In your submission, be sure to create the subject line: Just Food Board of Directors – Expression of Interest.  All interested parties will be contacted.  The selected candidates would be presented as a recommended slate to Just Food members for election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.  We look forward to hearing from you!

CSA Shares for 2019 Still Available!

March 19, 2019

Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)—sometimes called Community Supported Agriculture—is an agreement between farmers and eaters, where eaters agree to purchase locally produced food from farmers at the beginning of a growing season, and farmers agree to provide fresh, high quality food as it becomes available throughout the season. CSA is important for strengthening local food systems: it provides farmers with a guaranteed market; strengthens community by building relationships between farmers and eaters; and increases transparency within the food system by giving eaters access to information about the food they eat and how it was produced.

If you are interested in being a part of community shared agriculture in 2019 it isn’t too late! there are still 2019 CSA shares available from the following list of producers across the region:

For more information on CSA in Ottawa, visit http://justfood.ca/csa-farms/   You can also find more producers and information by checking ‘Producers’ and ‘CSA/food Box’ next to the map on the buy local food guide: http://savourottawa.ca/buy-local-food-guide/

March 26, 2019 Workshop: How to Start a Community Garden in Ottawa

March 6, 2019

Get ready for spring at the free, “How to Start a Community Garden” workshop! You will learn about the steps involved in starting a community garden. How to search for land, what is essential when starting a community garden, the supports that are available, tips for organizing the garden, and much more!

The attendance of at least one garden coordinator at a How to Start a Community Garden workshop is a requirement in order to receive funding through the Community Garden Development Fund.  The coordinator must have attended a workshop in one of the past 3 years.

Registration is required as space is limited.

When: Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: Conference Room | Sandy Hill Community Centre | 250 Somerset East
RSVP: communitygardening@justfood.ca

on RSVP please identify the general area where you plan to set up a community garden, and summarize your work to date, if applicable.

Ottawa Seedy Saturday – March 2!

February 12, 2019

Calling All Gardeners!
Eager to get back in your garden?

This annual seed exchange and sale will feature an organic mini-market, garden talks and workshops, a swap table and organic snacks.

While your gardens sleep under their blanket of snow, why not come out for a visit?

Where: Ron Kolbus Centre, Brittania Park
When: March 2, 10 AM – 3 PM

Workshop seating is limited, so come early!

Free admission – free workshops

This event is organized by Greta, from Greta’s Organic Gardens.

 

New Garden Plots Available at the Commons!

February 8, 2019

New Garden Plots Available at the Commons!

Serious about growing food? Looking for space to grow more than the average community garden or backyard plot will allow?

Just Food is launching a new project called The Commons – with larger plots dedicated to increasing community food production.

First site:  Just Food Farm – 2391 Pépin Court in Blackburn Hamlet.
Other sites opening in the Fall in the West and South of Ottawa for 2020.

20 plots are available this year, with long-term access to them.
Maximum of one plot per household.

Size: Each plot is approximately 250 m2 (or 2,700 ft2 or 1/16 of an acre)
Cost: $350+HST per year

Details:

  • Two workshops at Just Food Farm covering crop planning, soil fertility, water conservation and use of the Just Food Farm are required for each first-time Commons member.
  • We will take all names up to Feb 25, 5:00pm, and if there are more than 20 households at that point, we will choose 20 names from a hat, moving other names to a waiting list.  We will add any names from Feb 25, on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Priority will be given to East-end Ottawa residents.
  • Accessing 2391 Pépin Court in Blackburn Hamlet is possible by OC Transpo #94 and there is free parking on site.
  • Please note: If you already have a community garden plot in Ottawa, you need to give up your existing spot, to support the common objective of creating more space for more households in Ottawa to participate in food production.
  • Please wait for confirmation from Just Food that you have received a new Commons plot before leaving your current community garden.  If this is a problem (ie. you have to confirm our plot at your existing garden before Feb 25), please let us know which garden you are a part of.

Please email info@justfood.ca for any of the following reasons:

  • If you would like further information.
  • If you would like to apply (Please include your name, address, and contact information in the email).
  • If you would like a plot but can’t afford one (There will be sponsored plots available in 2019, based on success of raising funds. We will keep your name on a waiting list for these plots).

Eco Farm Days – Feb 23 & 24

January 17, 2019

 

We look forward to COG’s Eco Farm Days every year and 2019 is no different! A great keynote speaker, workshops, trade shows, and as much locally sourced organic food as possible? We hope to see you there!

Registration opens soon!

Click here for more information!