Upcoming Events

Vancouver Farmer's Market Dates:
Oct 16, 17, 18 Vancouver Farmers Market

Oct 23, 24, 25 Friday 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Oct 30, 31, 11/1 Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Nov 6, 7, 8 Sunday noon - 3:00 pm

Nov 4 Board Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm St. Luke's Church

Nov 3 First Tuesday: Urban Food Production 4:00-6:00 pm City Hall, 210 E. 13th Street

Nov 6 Uptown Main Street First Friday 5:30-8:00 pm

VFC BOARD SETS TARGET FOR STORE OPENING
The September 19^th VFC board planning retreat was an amazing work session. We were fortunate to have Doug Zenn of JLA Consulting donating his time to take us through the hard work we wanted to accomplish. You will be hearing and reading more of what came out of that retreat over the next few months. In the meantime, we are passing along the highlights.

The board set a target date of October 2011 to open the grocery store. Meeting the target date will require increased and sustained community involvement, with all members participating in some way.  Additionally, membership must increase substantially to create the foundation necessary for our store's financial success.

~Marj Casswell, president of the VFC board

An organization’s logo becomes its visual identity in the community. We think this new logo says a lot about who we are: from farm to table, in clear, clean lines. Watch for the logo to appear on everything that is VFC. The VFC board adopted a vision statement and guiding principles at its September 19^th planning retreat that will inform every decision the board makes as it moves forward to opening a grocery store.

Vision:
To provide our community with healthy foods and products, with emphasis on local suppliers.

Guiding principles:

Democratic member control
Sustainability
Healthy lifestyles
Education
Economic and social justice
Honesty and integrity
Respect for diversity
Collaboration and cooperation

CALL FOR VFC BOARD MEMBERS
Want to be part of the excitement and decisions that will lead to getting our store opened? VFC is looking to fill four vacant board positions. We hope you will consider applying. We are looking for people with passion for the food co-op movement, and who are interested in seeing our community have some control over our access to healthy foods and products—especially those locally produced.

Any member is eligible to serve. Board members should be prepared to devote an average of ten hours per month to meetings, work sessions and email communications.

If you would like to serve and be considered, or have any questions, please contact Marj Casswell at 360-600-0449 or marj@vancouverfood.coop . The deadline is October 30^th.

COCOA PUFFS AS HEALTH FOOD?

Need another example that the food industry can't regulate itself? How about an industry sponsored health label that declares Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Cocoa Puffs, Frosted Flakes and Lucky Charms to be a "Smart Choice"? That's the thrust of the new "Smart Choices" label, and it's no accident that it has  turned out this way. Though many healthy foods are indeed eligible, the overall structure of the program -- with its  industry-backed board-members, its burdensome application process and its relatively high fees -- appeals to giant packaged food companies at the expense of unprocessed, unbranded  foods like fruits and vegetables. 

Read more at: CredoAction

The Vancouver Planning Commission
presents

URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION

a first Tuesday presentation
November 3, 2009 * 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 210 E. 13 ^th Street
Like air, water, and shelter, food is essential for life.
Food plays a central role in our health,
communities, customs, heritage, and culture.

Come join local experts in sharing their knowledge, experience, ad success stories in an array of urban food production topics. Presenters will discuss urban gardening, harvesting and marketing, access to healthy food, and the need to plan for urban food systems. We'll share how current programs work and discuss a vision for the future.

Event sponsored by the Vancouver Planning Commission

Intended only for informational purposes. No policy decisions will be made

Open to the Public

Share the Vision ...
Buy a Share

VOLUNTEER TEAMS FORMING!
Join other VFC volunteers working to bring more people into our food co-op movement. Become a part of the VFC volunteer team. The only way our store will happen is if we all help—each in the way we are able. Here’s how: please contact volunteer@vancouverfood.coop, let us know what you can, and want to do. A list of potential jobs:

• Volunteer coordinator—linking volunteers with events, and job
• Speakers’ bureau—develop gigs and/or speak
• Telephone tree—coordinate or serve as a member
• Newsletter—write articles about VFC coop events, member interests
• Press releases—attend events, take photos, write releases
• Membership—process new membership applications
• Outreach & marketing committee—help develop plan
• Local farmers—develop connections, serve as liaison
• Web site—serve as web master
• Fundraising—help identify potential sources, write proposals
• Marketing—help outreach committee develop plan
• Fundraising—contact businesses for various types of donations and support
• Membership database—help obtain data on membership talents and skills
• Budget and finance—serve on committee, help with banking, payment systems, reporting
• Store—serve on site and feasibility committee researching location, size, budget, permits & fees, design, risk scenarios
• Events—help plan member events, be part of the team

VFC BOARD MEMBER PROFILE: GRETA LAVADOUR
Greta’s primary interests include farmland preservation and promotion of local food. Four generations of my family have been involved in Washington and Oregon agriculture. She operates a small urban farm. Greta is a land use planner with a local planning and engineering consulting firm, with an educational background in Natural Resource Planning. She serves on the Clark County Food System Council.

Greta: “In order to demonstrate the economic viability of Clark County agriculture, systems must be in place for the processing, distribution and marketing of locally produced goods. It is exciting that the Vancouver Food Co-op is already promoting local food and will surely have an even greater impact when a storefront is established!”

1 large sweet potato, cut into thin matchstick pieces (about 3-1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
Coarse salt to taste
Vegetable cooking spray or oil

1. Preheat over to 450^oF.
2. Place the sweet potato pieces into a bowl and drizzle with the oil; toss gently to coat.
3. Combine the next four ingredients and the salt, if using, and sprinkle over the sweet potatoes; toss gently to coat.
4. Place the sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet lightly coated with oil or vegetable spray.
5. Bake at 450^oF for 12-15 minutes or until the ends begin to crisp.
6. Remove from the oven and serve.