Organic Growers Week

While I was organizing the Toronto FRESH Event, I was fortunate to meet two very passionate and involved people from the Toronto Chapter of Canadian Organic Growers. I liked Tanmayo and Elizabeth right away, not only because they were supportive of the FRESH Event, but also because they were so friendly and genuinely committed to promoting organic growing.  They agreed to participate in my event and sponsored a Gardening Workshop and Potluck Dinner and generously supplied organic popcorn for the screening of the movie. 

I was so impressed by their commitment to and passion for organic that I decided to get more informed about the subject myself.  As you all know, I am very committed to home cooking and fresh ingredients, but I have been spotty on whether or not organic mattered.  Now I have become a convert and I'll tell you why.  It's quite simply that if I can buy something that has been grown and produced without the use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones and antibiotics why would I not choose that over something that has.  Sure, it can be more expensive (but I am a big believer in you get what you pay for) and it can be inconvenient (until you get a routine established) but at the end of the day I like knowing that what I eat has been raised with as little chemical interference as possible. In the end I think the benefits to individual health and well-being as well as to the environment far outweigh any other consideration.

Just last week Elizabeth contacted me to ask if I could help them promote Organic Week and, in particular, the events hosted by the Toronto Chapter of Canadian Organic Growers.  I was more than happy to help.  Organic Week runs from October 9th - 16th.  There are a number of interesting events and I encourage everyone to go and find out for yourself if Organic matters to you.  At the very least, you will have a chance to inform yourself on the topic.

COG Toronto's events in celebration of Organic Week Oct 9-16

Saturday - Thursday, October 9 -14

The Passion and Principles of Organic
Rotunda of Metro Hall, 55 John St., Toronto

This is a photo exhibit and commentary, featuring photos by Anna Prior. Get a sense of the commitment and challenge of growing organically and the beauty and benefit of organic food through stunning visual images.

Thursday, October 14
Songs for the Soil
7:30 pm
Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., Toronto
Tickets (non-refundable): $20

This fundraising concert for Canadian Organic Growers and the Withrow Farmers Market will have Margaret Webb, author of Apples to Oysters as MC and will feature the David Henman Band, Frank Wilks, Melanie Peterson and others. David Henman is the co-founder of April Wine, an inductee in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Frank Wilks is the former lead singer of Buffalo Springfield Revisited. Melanie Peterson has an inviting melodic sound sure to enchant. The evening promises an eclectic mix of original songs in styles ranging through folk, rock. blues, pop and sweet lyrical. Enjoy an evening of good music in celebration of organic food and agriculture, and help support COG at the same time.

Sunday, October 17
Carrville Garden Potluck and Kitchen Table Talk
3:00 - 8:00 pm
Carrville Community Garden, 9100 Bathurst St., Thornhill
RSVP: [email protected] or 416-466-4420
Carpooling can be arranged.

COG Toronto is partnering with Carrville Community Garden to host a potluck, garden experience and Kitchen Table Talk. For those interested in the garden, people are invited to come at 3:00 pm for a supervised work and learning session, hands on in the garden. This is your chance to learn and experience organic gardening methods and find out what biodynamic gardening is all about. At 5:30 pm, we will join in a potluck dinner at the garden - yummy. In honour of organic and biodynamic gardening, we invite you to bring dishes made with organic ingredients. And if possible bring your own dishes and utensils to save on excess garbage and keep this a truly green experience. Then participate and contribute your thoughts on what Canada’s food policy should look like during the Kitchen Table Talk. Here’s an opportunity to have a voice in the People’s Food Policy initiated by Food Secure Canada. The results from across Canada will be presented to our leaders as the true voice of a Canadian food policy.

Carrville Community Garden is communal biodynamic gardening at it’s finest. Together members organize, grow and share an acre and a half of diverse vegetables and herbs. They do not own or rent individual plots, but share the bounty and work of a well organized and run garden with many more options and growing choices.