Midwest Food Resources has recently been named as one of Community Food Centres Canada’s ‘Good Food Organizations!’

The Good Food Organizations initiative by CFCC connects like-minded organizations around the country in a collective commitment to achieving a healthy and fair food system. Midwest Food Resources looks forward to partnering with CFCC to support local food security.

For more information, please check out our press release (GFO Round Two Release Template final) and visit http://cfccanada.ca/good-food-organizations.

On November 29, 2014, we held our 2nd annual Fall Supper and Open Mic at the North Battleford Legion.

We were very pleased with the attendance this year: 60 people came out to support Midwest Food Resources programs in the Battlefords! We had attendees from ages 8-80. Delicious local food was prepared by staff and volunteers (there were many different kinds of pie!). The musical talent on display was phenomenal! We showcased 5 acts: a country group of 4 people, a hip hop poet, a folk group of 3, a first time guitar player/singer, and a person who played harmonica and guitar and sang.

We would like to say thanks to:

• All the local businesses that donated door prizes
• Our lovely volunteers
• The talented and brave musicians
• Our sponsors: BATC, CIF, City of North Battleford, and the W. Brett Wilson and Family Foundation
• Everyone who attended

Midwest Food Resources has a bunch of fun events planned for this fall (with more to be announced)!

Lloydminster:

We will be doing a Collective Kitchen this September 18th (if you’re interested, please contact us on Facebook or at lloyd.mwfp@sasktel.net).

Souper Seniors will be taking place September 29 from 1:30-4:30pm at the Legacy Centre in Lloydminster. Come out for some cooking, camaraderie, and fun–you’ll even get to take home some soup.

Do you like chili? How about beautiful homemade pottery? If so, check out The Root on October 1 (5pm) for a great fundraiser event. $20 gets you a bowl made by the Lloydminster Potters Guild filled with delicious chili made by Midwest Food Resources. Proceeds go towards Midwest Food Resources’ programs.

Battlefords:

Our famous Fall Supper and Open Mic night will be taking place this year on November 29 at 7pm. We will be showcasing local foods and local artists. Tickets are $20 each. There will be a cash bar and silent auction. Please contact our Battlefords coordinator at battleford.mwfp@sasktel.net or 306-446-2684 for more information or to buy tickets. We are also looking for volunteers for this fun event. Proceeds go towards supporting our community programs.

There was a great article in the Battlefords News-Optimist this September about the Midwest Food Resources Community Garden in North Battleford! It showcases the hard work and creativity of all the gardeners involved in the project. Good job!

Please check out: http://www.newsoptimist.ca/article/20140902/BATTLEFORD0101/140909995/-1/battleford/

This year’s community garden was a success–and a great learning experience! We tried 2 methods of chemical free quack grass reduction; both were effective.

One method we tried was placing clear plastic staked over areas with lots of quack grass growth for 3 months. The other option was putting layers of cardboard with a thick layer of bark mulch for several months around the perimeter.

An article by Midwest Food Resources is featured in the September/October issue of Lloydminster SportsXpress. Check out page 16 for fun and simple lunch ideas!

Link: http://www.mirabelsmagazinecentral.com/DigitalEdition/index.html?id=8d617608-06f8-48f2-8eb4-4e4cff4cd269

November 30, 2013 at 7pm: North Battleford Legion (1352 100 St.)

Tickets are $15 each and all proceeds support this local charity. Come on out and have some great food and fun! Volunteers, corporate sponsors and silent auction items are needed. Please contact chair@midwestfoodresources.com for more information.

October 8, 2013 at 5pm: Crandleberries in North Battleford

The planning committee for the NB Collective Kitchen will be meeting. Stop by if you’re interested in joining the group! Cooking will follow on Wednesday evening.

Midwest knows that our communities (Lloydminster, Battlefords, Meadow Lake and Turtleford) have many people who are passionate about healthy eating, gardening, cooking, and food security. We are looking for volunteers to help make our organization stronger. We couldn’t do it without you!

We have many volunteer opportunities to work with your interests and schedule. We will provide orientation and training for all our volunteers.

Why volunteer? You get the opportunity to make a difference and help ensure everyone in your community has access to healthy foods. It can be a lot of fun, you can meet new people and gain community experience for your resume.

Current opportunities include:

• Director on our board: Meet monthly by teleconference to approve financial reports and other reports, promote Midwest Food Resources to the community, fundraising and marketing tasks as well. Participate annually in strategic planning and board training.
• Fresh Food Box community contact: promote the fresh food box to others, collect orders and distribute fresh food boxes.
• Harvest Rescue: Help pick foods ready for harvest and distribute to customers or others in the community.
• Office Volunteer: Our funding is all for program staff who provide programs in the communities we work in. We need volunteers who can answer phones, photocopy, answer emails and promote Midwest Food Resources in the community.
• Garden Helper: are you a green thumb? Our community gardens always could use another pair of hands with tasks such as seeding, weeding and harvesting.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Midwest Food Resources office in your community.

Regional Office/Turtleford: Phone: 306-845-3903 Email: debbie.mwfp@sasktel.net

Battlefords: Phone: 306-446-2684  Email: battleford.mwfp@sasktel.net

Lloydminster: Phone: 306-825-2606  Email: lloydminster.mwfp@sasktel.net

Meadow Lake: Phone: 306-236-3966  Email: meadowlake.mwfp@sasktel.net

Midwest Food Resources is happy to announce that we have received funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to support our new garden group in the Battlefords! A big thank you to the TD FEF!