Community Local Food Feasts

5th Feast - Fall 2008 - and our first organized potluck, was enjoyed by all on Oct 4. unmarred by an  island power failure due to wind damage to tress and power lines.  Candles and generator saved the evening handily and we were treated to a fine array of home cooked recipies of nearly all local ingredients and a sweet, community gathering of Island and visiting souls.

The previous 4 seasonal feasts had been cooked by volunteers with a menu created by co-organizer and chef Brian Crumblehulme.  This 5th one marked the occasion of handing off the cooking to the Islanders since it will be all of us who will take these abilities on into the future.

We started out with a tongue-in-cheek reading of pearls of wisdom from our cherished guru, the Great Gilk, from across the ocean:

Harvest when the skin of squash is so hard that he fingernail can't dent it.
Pull up whole tomato plants and hang in shed to ripen.
When dry, brush soil off potatoes and store at 10 deg. C in total darkness.

The Great Gilk is really the Saltpsring Island gardening wizz and educator Linda Gilkeson whose email gems support all us winter gardners in our marine Gulf Island climate.

The evening was hosted yet again by Islander, broadcaster and wine enthusiast Jurgen Gothe. Our two speakers provided concise reviews of their on-topic projects.  Their efforts will be included in our future writings and in guiding Mayne's next steps in Living the Good Life on the Islands.

>>Janice Oakley, Galiano Island, outlined the 4 segments of their Food Program and contrasted both islands' progress toward food security and sustainability.  See Galiano Community Food Program.

>>Barry Mathis, Pender Island, took us through a rousing tour of setting up the first known Car Stop program for local transportation with less cars, polution and energy usage. Turns out drivers are meeting neighbours and new friends to boot.  See Car Stops

See Poster Below.

Peter Judd, October 2008

Islands Sustainability Initiative
Richard Iredale, Peter Judd and Michael Dunn formed
the Islands Sustainability Initiative (ISUNI ) on Mayne Island
to provide information for the stimulation of public discussion and innovation
concerning our collective future.