Student Price!

What's an event without a great showing from our very own University of Guelph students? We've added a new student price for our event, $50.00 per person!

Please contact Lisa Fodor for tickets at lfodor@uoguelph.ca 

GCUOF

Check it out! 

Recently, a video was made about our friends at the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming (GCUOF). The GCUOF plays an integral role in our Children's Outreach Program. With the farm available to us, we can bring the students to the farm to help them learn, hands on, about where their food really comes from.

We will be back at the GCUOF this Friday with our last school visit for the fall. 

Yours in food,

Emily and the Garden2Table team 

Garden2Table Community Charity Dinner

Enjoy a 5-course dinner with local, organic, and sustainable foods, prepared by the Wellington County Gastronomy Culture. The Charity Dinner and Silent Auction will take place on Sunday November 18th, from 5 - 8pm in PJ's in the Atrium.

Contact Lisa Fodor at lfodor@uoguelph.ca for tickets.

Hope to see you there! 

Together in food,

Emily and the G2T Team 

Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School @ Garden2Table

Visiting us from Cambridge on Friday was Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School. Sixty Grade 4 students along with their teachers and some parents got a tour of the GCUOF and joined us at PJ's in the Atrium. During this visit, the students learned how to harvest leaks and carrots, clean up bulbs of garlic, and taste raspberries right from the bush! 

Understanding where the food comes from is one of our biggest focus areas. The most rewarding aspect is when the students start to make connections such as the seeds from a sunflower can go in the ground to make 10s of new sunflowers. Getting them involved at a young age only lets them develop their own interest and think about what they are eating at the dinner table, on the way to practice, and at school at lunch. 

When we got back to the kitchen, the excitement really began. This week we made kale chips (a huge success!), kale dip, pita chips, sweet potato and leak pizza, granola, and hummus. For many, it was a first time trying out most of the ingredients. We helped them create recipe books with all the recipes of the snacks they created to bring home to their families and try them again. 

Next week we have a smaller group of 30 joining us from another grade 4 class. 

Don't forget to check back! 

Garlic cleaned up after harvest, ready for snacks in the kitchen!

St. Ignatius visits UofG and the GCUOF

October 5th marked Garden2Table's first visit to the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming. 60 grade 7 students from St.Ignatius visited the GCUOF to learn about where vegetables come from, how to plant seeds, and to taste berries, tomatoes, and flowers.

After visiting the garden, the students joined us at PJs in the Atrium at the University of Guelph to learn how to make snacks with the vegetables they find in the garden. We have them follow simple recipes that they can later make into a recipe book to bring home.

With this group we made pita chips, kale dip, tabouleh, salsa, guacamole and beet chips! Most students hadn't heard of most of these, and were eager to try them out. While the "h" in tabouleh may have thrown off a few, it turned out to be a favourite for most!

Students try edible flowers at the GCUOF

Tomorrow is our second visit, so check back to see how it goes! 

A Food Revolution

"Your child will live a life ten years younger than you because of the landscape of food that we’ve built around them.” (Jamie Oliver)

Many of us here share a common interest: food. However, we're not just interested in eating or trying the latest recipe featured on epicurious.com or foodgawker.com; our interests go much deeper than that. The reason Garden2Table exists is to educate our community about where our food comes from, and how to eat healthily and sustainably. In Guelph, and at the University of Guelph, we have more resources than most cities, provinces, states or countries. We have the knowledge, skills, abilities and tools to allow us to live sustainably. 

The Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming and Garden2Table have partnered to teach the youth of the community about the importance of understanding where food comes from; influencing their food choices by reconnecting them with earth's resources and how simple, easy, and important it is to plant, grow, harvest, and prepare their own food. 

Most of you have seen the video or heard of Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution. As we approach our first garden visit, I started thinking about just how crucial it is for these students to learn about the food they eat. Many families don't understand the importance of healthy meals and snacks and it is up to us to help make a difference. 

Check back next week to find out about our first visit

Garden2Table 2012/2013

This year we are lucky to have an amazing group take over Garden2Table at the University of Guelph. A combination of Hotel and Food Administration, Human Nutrition, and Agricultural majors bring a diverse mix to the table. We all have a background in food, and share a strong passion for eating well, eating sustainably, and sustainable food practices. 

Introducing the new team:

Children's Programming: Megan and Teresa

College Royal: Michelle and Alex

Fundraising Event (Fall): Aimee

Funding/Communication/PR: Emily

My name is Megan Burns and Teresa and I are running this year’s children’s programming. I am very excited about this role and already have tones of big plans in the making! I am currently heading into my fourth and final year at University of Guelph and am in the Applied Human Nutrition program. Throughout my years at Guelph I have volunteered at the GCVI breakfast program, College Royal, and was the first year representative for AHNSA. I have had various work experiences with children running cooking groups, making presentations, playing fun nutrition games, as well as running a summer breakfast program called Healthy Living by the Rideau. I was immediately drawn to the Garden2Table program due to my experiences as well as personal interests in whole foods, nutrition, and healthy living. I look forward to working with the schools, Teresa, the entire Garden2Table team, and our wonderful volunteers this upcoming school year!

Hi everyone! My name is Alex Chesney and I am a third year nutrition student here at Guelph. I grew up on a fruit and vegetable farm and have also been passionate about fresh, local foods. When I heard about Garden2Table, I was so excited! It was the perfect fit for me. During the summer, I attend various farmer's market and not only sell our produce, but also educate our customer's on the food's origin, and the importance of local food. I can't wait to have another opportunity to do this, through Garden2Table. I'm super excited for this upcoming year, and I hope everyone makes an effort to check out our events!

My name is Michelle and I am a third year student in the B.Sc (Agr.) program with a major in organic agriculture. My focus has been on sustainable farming practices with an interest in tropical agriculture. My relationship with food has been an interesting one! After years of formal training in the hospitality industry, my passion for how food is grown pushed me towards the University of Guelph. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with elementary students and engage in conversation about how much work goes into our food, how amazing plants are and how awesome our farmers are. I look forward to learning a lot from this experience as well!

Hello, my name is Aimee Fowler and I am in my fourth academic year for Hotel and Food Administration, Co-op. I am planning and orchestrating the Fall Fundraiser for the G2T program. The reason why I love Garden2Table: For two years I helped out the previous G2T at the Collage Royale events. It was through my volunteering that I really gained an program and how much is done. One of the greatest aspects of the program is seeing kids are! They love learning about food and getting dirty (what kid doesn't like to play point). Through games, tasters and engaging bulletin boards we are able to engage knowledge - and the food is ALWAYS tasty!

The garden has so much to offer (no matter where your garden is). Whether

front or backyard, share in a community garden, or have access to an organic farm like Guelph - go out and get a little dirty, the food that you get from your own garden always tastes better!

My name is Emily Jago and I am a fourth year HAFA student. My role in Garden2Table is Communications and Funding; everytime you read this blog, the voice is mine. Food has always been my biggest interest; history and culture, making and trying new things, and of course eating! Over the last three years my interest in local, organic and sustainable food practices has grown and I'm so excited to get to share this with my peers through Graden2Table.

My name is Nicole De Athe. I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2010,

Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hotel & Food Administration. In 2009, I helped initiate the Garden2Table program, and have since remained involved as a volunteer. This year I join G2T as Director of Development. I am passionate about what we do, and my role will help grow and build on what is accomplished each year. I will also be available as a mentor to the University of Guelph students leading the program, to assist in their learning. I hope to increase awareness of Garden2Table within the community, and am excited about our new outreach school programming this year; through hands-on learning programs, we can connect more children to their food.

Keep an eye on the blog as the fall progresses. We have some great events coming up; starting this week with our first Elementary School visit!

As always, I'll keep you posted!

Chris Hadfield P.S. visits the GCUOF with Garden2Table

Garden2Table played host to three Grade 4 classes from Chris Hadfield Public School in Milton in June. The students enjoyed time at the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming (GCUOF), planting watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds, and building a straw path from one end of the garden to the other.

They also harvested heads of lettuce from the greenhouse to taste with the homemade salad dressing they all made with Chef Shea Robinson of Wildcraft Restaurant in Waterloo, ON. Chef Robinson also led the kids in making the world famous Garden2Table granola which they were able to take home with them to share with their families.

One of the classes - Mr. Ford’s 4.2 - had the rare opportunity to spend a morning with beekeeper Paul Kelly at the University of Guelph Apiary (bee yard). Partnering with Chris Hadfield P.S. marks the first time that Garden2Table has worked with a school outside of Guelph - something we hope to do more of in the future.

Stay tuned for more visits this fall!

A Royal Success!

This time last week us Garden2Table members were unwinding from our Circle of Food display at College Royal. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but a huge success. A big thank-you to all the chefs who came and demonstrated simple and healthy meal ideas, Chef Ezra Title, Chef Shea Robinson, Chef Matthew Foote, and a special thanks for Chef Bruce McAdams who stepped in at the last minute.

 Each chef profiled a different dish to cater to every taste; families had the opportunity to make a coconut yogurt parfait, a veggie wrap, a quinoa salad, and an apple blossom dessert over the course of the weekend. In addition to the delicious demonstrations, families has the opportunity to experience The Circle of Food. Staring by learning about seeds and planting, visitors worked their way around the circle to our compost display. Along the way they had a chance to plant lettuce seeds in a hand crafted newspaper pot, play a nutritional game by deciding which foods belonged in which food group, learn about local and imported food, taste the difference between organic and non-organic carrots, and take home some seeds and herbs from the GCUOF.

The weekend would not have been possible without the numerous volunteers who came out and manned booths, assisted in the kitchen, and helped our street team attract visitors around campus. Congratulations to the Applied Human Nutrition display that won best in fair! Lastly, thank you to all who came out and experienced The Circle of Food, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

The Circle of Food at College Royal

Come one, come all to our exhibition at College Royal. Experience "The Circle of Food" from seed to table in P.J's restaurant in the Atrium on March 17th and 18th. Cook dishes demonstrated by local and celebrity chefs like Ezra Title of The Food Network's The Healthy Gourmet, Chef Chris Jess from The Food School in Fergus, Executive Chef at Wildcraft Shea Robinson, and Executive Chef at Borealis Grille & Bar Matthew Foote. This once in a lifetime opportunity awaits!
And did we mention, IT'S FREE!

A Moving Case for 'Real Food'

I was recently linked a TedTalk video featuring a talk by Robyn O'Brien. It was an intriguing talk centered around Robyn's personal history with food, and how she became such an evangelist for 'Real Food'. Have a look:

Obviously a very informative and inspiring talk, Robyn opened my eyes to a different aspect in the food industry, and why consuming 'Real Food' really should be an imperative; especially for children. This new perspective was on the affect of mass-produced foods on our health in terms of allergies/intolerance's. How many of us, in the restaurant industry, can attest to the fact that the number of guests coming in with allergies/intolerance has seemingly increased on a steady incline? I would bet that many restaurateurs would agree with this notion. It's certainly something I've noticed within my limited experience.

It's made clear by Robyn that the addition of proteins and enzymes to our food supply makes perfect business sense in terms of making the business model more efficient/profitable for large food production companies; however, just because it makes more business sense, does it make health sense? Could these additions into our food supply be the reason for the increasing amount of food consumption ailments being realized within the North American population? Robyn O'Brien thinks so, and she makes an excellent, well informed case for this belief.

Stay tuned for an incoming post regarding G2T's involvement with the University of Guelph's College Royal weekend-wide event!

Garden2Table ~ SP

G2T & UGSRP Team Up for Food Bank Dinner

This past Sunday night, Garden2Table and UGSRP (University of Guelph Sustainable Restaurant Project) played host to the OAFB (Ontario Association of Food Banks) for their AGM dinner. The Food Banks of Ontario are undergoing some strategic planning which includes introducing more fresh food and providing marginalized families with real food choices. With this in mind, G2T and UGSRP members Sam Prentice, Lisa Hanlon, Hannah Douglas and Bruce McAdams prepared dishes from GCUOF produce, repurposed and non-perishable foods. The dinner, comprised of a turnip and leek soup, chick pea and roasted beet salad, Rowe Farm's pork tenderloin and an apple flan, was a hit. The OAFB members, many of them Guelph grads, were further impressed with the Garden2Table and UGSRP projects. Thanks to all who made the dinner a success, and thank you OAFB for the important work you do!