More on local food...

Nearly golden enough to pick....won't be long now.

While admiring the sunflowers, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs growing in our Saanich South Community Garden, I noticed the plum tree across the fence is getting close to ready to pick.

Each year, unpicked fruit lands on yards, lots and sidewalks throughout our communities.

I know of at least two local projects looking to collect that fruit and share it with those in need.

The Victoria and Sooke Region Fruit Tree Projects are both up and running now - and seeking volunteers to help pick (and help eat, of course). I've included links to their websites, below.

These fruit tree projects are designed so that the fruit is divided into shares for the tree owners, the volunteers and the community. The Victoria Fruit Tree Project has even partnered with local businesses to value-add the fruit into apple cider vinegar, cider and chutney to help pay for the project. Go to their website, below, for details of where to buy their fine products.

For more information about how and where these projects work, contact them directly with your inquiries.

This is a fantastic ways to recover otherwise wasted food. Whether you are looking to jar fruit for the winter, make fruit leather or just want to eat fresh fruit ripened on the tree in your own home town - these projects are for you.

If you know of other projects for recovering food, please let me know and I will add them to my list.

LifeCycles Project Society - Victoria Fruit Tree Project

Sooke Region Food CHI - Sooke Region Fruit Tree Project

Happy harvesting!

Lana

Art Show & Open House this Friday!

Dear Saanich South,

Please drop by my community office this Friday between 5-8pm for my summer open house! We are featuring the artwork of the very talented Marti Mussell. There will be snacks and treats in the community garden. I look forward to seeing you and hearing your perspective on current affairs! Lana.

Let's get this done!

The government must stop delaying and get on with the needed work at the intersection of Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road! 


As we approach the BC Day long weekend – one of the most dangerous weekends of the year for traveling on BC highways – we are still waiting for work to get started to improve safety at this intersection.

Research shows this work is a priority, the funds are allocated - but the plan is stuck on the Minister’s desk. What’s the hold-up?

According to ICBC statistics, the intersection at Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road is the most dangerous highway crossing on Vancouver Island. The government has been studying and planning to address this serious issue for many years. The most recent report – the 2010 Opus Hamilton study – again identified this intersection as a priority for upgrades.