The inaugural Our Food: Then and Now collaboration between the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, the Arts Building and the One Straw Society was a grand success - both in terms of the goal of raising awareness on the history, local character and art of our food on the Sunshine Coast, and also by raising funds for the food for all coupon program.
Through events such as the hootenanny dinner and dance, a silent auction of local food-inspired art, a series of arts and food-arts workshops, and two evenings of film and discussion, our community contributed enough funds to support 31 weeks worth of food coupons that will be distributed to under-resourced families so they can access local, nutritious food at farmers' markets. That's enough to feed 2.5 families for the full season with healthy food.
"The three collaborating organizations were so pleased with both the process and the outcomes that we're excited to start working together for next year's project, which will again include a culture and history of food exhibit at the museum, a kick-off dinner and dance featuring an auction of local artists' works and several awareness-raising and skill-building workshops not only in Gibsons but at locations throughout the Coast," said Nadi Fleschhut, community food security co-ordinator for One Straw Society and the Food Action Network.
Special thanks go out to all the volunteers, artists and local businesses who generously donated their time and products to support this endeavour, and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated and helped make our pilot year such a success.
"We had a blast, and we hope you did too," Fleschhut said.
For more information on the food for all coupon program, or to donate to support a family, contact nadi@onestraw.ca. For more information on the groups involved in the project, see www.sunshinecoastmuseum.ca, www.artsbuilding.org, or www.onestraw.ca.
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