Welcome to the 20th edition of GROWING COASTAL, the Food Action Network newsletter.

DECONSTRUCTING DINNER  

Three films with writer, producer Jon Steinman, Garlic, Wheat and Eggs  will be shown on Thursday Feb 6 at 7:30pm at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. Tickets are available online at greenfilm.ca . Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $10. In community partnership with Rhizome Up! Media.

FAN SURVEY

Our goal as an organization is to be as responsive as possible to your needs and the interests of the community. As such, we would like to take this opportunity to solicit feedback in our survey about some of our programs and activities as well as about how "local" you really are!  

Click here to fill out the 30 second SURVEY. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2WRPBVP By taking a moment to click on a few answers, you will help us gain a better understanding for what the community needs.      This data will allow us to revise our methods and activities to better serve you. The survey will close on Thursday, Jan 30 at 4 PM so please just take a second to click on the link above, and then simply click on some responses to let us know how things are going! Thanks so much,

Message from the Food Systems Network Coordinator  - Chris Hergesheimer 

Over that last year, it has been an honour and a privilege to have held the position of Food Systems Network Coordinator for the One Straw Society.   Given the demands of my PhD studies and a fair amount of international travel for work, I will be stepping down from my role as Coordinator as of March 1st, 2014. I am thankful for the four years of support and confidence given to me during my time with One Straw, both as president for three years and as Food Systems Network Coordinator.  I am forever in awe of our community's knowledge, skills, passion and dedication to the One Straw agenda. Hey all of you- we have been an incredible team and my commitment to these issues runs deep. Thank you for the trust and support you have given me over the last year.  I'll be busy; you all know that- but when I'm around I'll keep doing the work that I believe in; you can't get rid of passion for stuff like this.  Thanks friends
- C Hergesheimer

SEED POTATO ORDER 

This year Three Sisters Farm will be making a community order for seed potato from Across the Creek Organics in Pemberton.  All seed is Certified Organic and CFIA Certified for use as potato seed, this means they will not bring unwanted diseases or pests into your farm or garden. Here are the available varieties and prices: Varieties below - $3.50/lb. or $125/50lb. case (including shipping & handling): 

*    Warba - white skin/white flesh with pink eyes, great all around potato. Early Season.

*   Yukon Gold - yellow flesh, popular variety, cooks well.  Early to Mid season.

*   Chieftain - red skin/white flesh, high yield, cooks and stores well. Mid-season.

*   Russian Blue - purple skin/purple flesh.  Mid to late season.

*   Sieglinde - yellow flesh, many smooth oval tubers (aka. German Butter).  Mid to late season.  Fingerling - $4.50/lb. or $175/50lb. case (including shipping & handling): 

*   Banana - yellow flesh, delicious, gourmet variety, small, banana-shaped tubers.  

We hope to organize the order much the same as in 2012.  We will be accepting orders until January 31st.  In February we will pick up the seed potatoes from Pemberton and fill the orders.  In early March we will bring them to Seedy Saturday for distribution.  In the past we have had extras of some varieties for sale at Seedy Saturday but if you have your heart set on a variety we recommend ordering it. 

Potatoes are a great root vegetable to grow here on the Coast.  If you have had trouble growing them - go for an early variety, plant and harvest early.  If you have not tried growing potatoes before, you may be happily surprised at just how hardy and productive they are! To order please email: Katy Latham
Three Sisters Farm   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SEEDY SATURDAY   DONATIONS REQUESTED! 

One Straw is looking for donated items to be used in our Seedy Saturday Silent Auction, and Raffle basket.  If you can offer a service, have an item you would like to donate, or would like to help solicit donations please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make arrangements. 

Every year at Seedy Saturday we hold a Live Plant Sale.  We are looking for plant donations. It can be anything at all including trees and bushes, down to tiny seedlings. Please bring on the day, March 15th.   

SEEDY SATURDAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 Seedy Saturday will be happening this year on March 15th from 11 am until 3 pm, with a fabulous talk on Seed Saving by Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds to precede at 10 am.  One Straw is looking for volunteers to help out, or take a larger role in coordinating an area of Seedy Saturday. We need assistance in a multitude of areas to make this event a huge success.

  A> Before the event (advertising, putting up posters, soliciting silent auction items, soliciting food donations for sale in our kitchen, etc) B> During the event (setting up, working in the kitchen, organizing the silent auction, assisting the seed exchange, setting up chairs for the workshops and talk by Dan Jason) C> After the event (cleaning up, taking down posters, etc as needed) If you would like to help out please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 604-989-1852 with your availability and area of interest for volunteering.

Food Policy Council 

The next meeting of the Sunshine Coast Food Policy Council will be on February 12th from 6-8 PM. Please contact Meghan Molnar: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information including a meeting agenda and location details.

Thank you!
Thanks so much for reading through GROWING COASTAL.  We hope go and fill out the Survey.  
It will only take a second and will help us better serve the community.  

From,
Your friends at the Food Action Network (FAN).