Wanderlust and Words

Saskatoon Farmers’ Market, May 2  The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market heads back outdoors on Saturday, May 2. Top of the Hops, May 21-23 Top of the Hops is back at Prairieland Park, May 21-23. Ouzopalooza, May 22  Transport yourself to a Greek taverna at the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation’s fundraising dinner, Ouzopalooza , on May 22. Vegan Pho The Odd Couple Restaurant is now serving Vegan Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup (a.k.a. Vegan pho). I really appreciate all the vegetarian/vegan items on their menu. Saskatoon Seed Library A Saskatoon Seed Library – what an awesome idea! Why not join and start growing and saving seeds to ensure greater local food security? Tomatoes and Milkweed  Monarch butterflies can’t survive without milkweed. Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company will be setting up at the Street Stall Saturday Market adjacent to the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on May 2 with heirloom tomatoes and peppers as well as wildflowers. They hope to have...

The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre (SFLBC) receives over 12,000 requests for food a month. Almost half the respondents to a 2014 client survey said they pick up a food hamper every two weeks. Over 60% have been using the Food Bank hamper program for more than two years. Shocking statistics in a city that prides itself on urban growth and prosperity. When the Saskatoon Food Bank opened its doors in 1983 , I’m sure they thought it was a temporary fix for a short-term problem. That hasn’t proven to be the case ( almost a third of Saskatchewan's single-parent families can't afford healthy food ), and the SFLBC’s services continue to evolve to better meet the needs of their clients and to address the underlying causes of hunger and poverty. They’ve expanded their programs to include literacy and work experience programs, cooking classes, urban agriculture, a clothing depot, and advocacy. The SFBLC held an open house in February and I was intrigued by some of their ...

Urban Ag Film, Apr. 24 Saskatoon Food Council is hosting a screening of Urban Roots , a film about the urban farming movement in Detroit, at 7 pm , April 24, at Station 20 West. Chatty’s Indian Spices There’s a great article in Bridges about Chatty’s Indian Spice Mixes . Chatty explains that “No one dish is typical 'Indian food' as it varies throughout the country. In Calcutta, cinnamon and nutmeg are typical, whereas in the north, fried spices, onion and garlic are more prevalent. In southern India, the food is usually very spicy.” SK Lentils “ Saskatchewan used to be the breadbasket of the world. Now it’s actually the protein basket ” “The number of acres planted with lentils and peas in Saskatchewan has almost doubled since 2002 to an expected 7.5 million acres this year, according to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Sixty-five per cent of the world’s lentils are grown in Canada, mainly in Saskatchewan.” Brewing History Tour Edmonton City as Museum Project ...

The Saskatoon Co-op Liquor Store opened on March 28, 2014. As of one of Saskatchewan’s first specialty liquor stores, I was curious to find out more about what is involved in setting one up. Dawn Wreford, the store’s Liquor Procurement and Marketing Manager, was happy to oblige. Dawn started working in a restaurant when she was 14, so she has lots of experience in the hospitality industry. She’s completed the first two levels of the International Sommelier Guild ’s program and in 2010 she started working for Select Wines & Spirits . As a manager, she was responsible for promoting their products and getting them listed in Saskatchewan. It was a switch from serving wine to selling it, working closely with SLGA on logistics, pricing, promotion and supply. Dawn now had a good feel for both sides of the industry and was well placed to help the Co-op set up their new store. Selecting the Products  The Co-op currently stocks approximately 4,000 different products, substant...

Riversdale Delicatessen Steep Hill Food Co-op I stopped in at Steep Hill Food Co-op last week to pick up some Passage Foods sauces . According to their website, they have a wide range of international flavours. I’ve been able to find Chipotle Lime and Tikka Masala . They’re a great way to flavour a quick stir fry with tofu and vegetables. While I was browsing, the Screamin Brothers Frozen Treats , made with organic coconut milk, caught my eye. Food Trucks  With warmer weather, I’m hoping the food trucks will soon be out on the streets. Here are a couple that are new to me. Rebel Melt – “fresh made hillbilly-inspired grilled sandwiches and other yummy vittles” Soom Soom – “fresh from scratch world foods, focusing on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine" “Pulled Pork” for Vegetarians  Pick up a can of green jackfruit at a local international store, such as Fiesta Pinoy , and treat yourself to Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Tacos . Bell Peppers and Cookie...

Appreciating food from a very young age Seed Starting Workshop, Apr. 9 & 14  Learn the basics of starting your own plants indoors at a Seed Starting Workshop sponsored by the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre’s Garden Patch. The workshop is being held at the Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop from 10-11 am on April 9 and from 7-8 pm on April 14 . All supplies are provided. Station 20 West Fundraiser, May 2  Support Station 20 West at a supper and silent auction catered by Touch of Ukraine Restaurant on May 2. Gangsters Italian Sandwiches Food Truck  Bill Matthews sold Two Gun Quiche House and bought a food truck. Gangsters Italian Sandwiches Food Truck will serve classic Italian sandwiches made from local ingredients (e.g. bread from Earth Bound Bakery, herbs from Floating Gardens, peppers and tomatoes from Grandora Gardens). Why I Eat Organic Strawberries  Hunched over for up to 10 hours a day, Glorietta is a California strawberry picke...