Community Kitchens in Salmon Arm will restart this month under the leadership of Shuswap Food Action.  The program will be hosted in the Shuswap Family Resource Centre, at the corner of Alexander St. and the Trans Canada, on Friday, Feb 19.  It will start at 4 pm and run until 7 pm.  Food preparation, cooking, eating and planning will all be on the agenda.  Portions cost a token $1.00, which goes toward supplies.  Everyone in the community is invited to join in and make the evening a success.  Please confirm your attendance before Feb11 by calling 250-517-9271. 

The Good Food Box will be featured this month.  The recipes will use the items in the box.  The Good Food Box is run by volunteers and participants pay $10.00 to receive a box.  The money is then pooled to be the group’s buying power.  On the third Thursday of every month the volunteers come together to split the bulk purchases into individual boxes and distribute them.  This program creates affordable access to food and is thus a great asset to the community.

Community Kitchen programs are valuable for a number of reasons.  Of course there is the sharing of knowledge and skills that promote healthy eating but there is also the social aspect.  Preparing food in a group is exciting, satisfying and fun.  Learning skills in such an accepting environment creates confidence and a sense of belonging to the community as a whole.  Food is a great equalizer, we all eat.  Food and eating become more meaningful when we share them with others.

The Community Kitchen program in Salmon Arm is supported by the Interior Health Authority, Shuswap Food Action and Shuswap Family Resource and Referral.  Shuswap Food Action is looking for local food partners to enhance the sustainability of the program.  For more information please contact foodaction@youthpartners.ca or call 517-9271.

The Shuswap Regional Food Gathering was held Nov. 14^th, at the Neskonlith hall just outside of Chase.   Participants discussed the elements of a sustainable food system and a vision for the local food shed began to take shape.  One of the most exciting outcomes was the creation of the Shuswap Regional Network and Listserv.  The Network will aim to foster a culture of food that will initiate a healthy food cycle throughout the region. 

One of the ways to do this is to enhance communication through the bioregion and that’s where the listserv will be an asset.  As a natural result of more communication, co-operation around food within the Shuswap will increase.  The email list is open to anyone wanting to work towards a more food secure Shuswap.  If you are interested in joining the network please visit the “contact us” page, send your email and indicate that you would like to be added.