FoodShare Toronto’s annual Recipe for Change fundraiser is happening online this year, Feb.19-26. CJRU speaks with Andrea Thompson, FoodShare’s marketing and communications manager, to find out what attendees can expect. Instead of hosting a virtual party that replicates their in-person event, FoodShare is hosting a week of educational programming. Thompson mentions their subtitle, “a menu for advancing food justice” says it all. Thanks to the support of FoodShare’s corporate sponsors, the 2021 Recipe for Change is accessible to the community with a “pay what you want” ticket on Eventbrite.
“We’ve had a lot of visibility as a result of the pandemic and as a result of a lot of the anti-Black racism conversations and anti-Indigeneity conversations that have been happening. Now is an opportunity for folks to get to know us more and also to amplify some voices within the community,” she explains.
This year’s Recipe for Change includes a 7-day silent auction and a series of exclusive virtual video tours. There will also be a number of live Q&As and workshops with the FoodShare team and special guests:
Evolving Our Food System: Conversations on Community Food Growing
On Monday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m., FoodShare’s community food growing team members and community growers discuss growing food in the city. Additionally, they will explore reducing waste through composting and how urban agriculture can be a driver of change in our communities.
Unboxing the Good Food Box: Lunchtime Cook-Along
On Monday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m., FoodShare Community Food Programmers share quick and easy recipes made with fresh produce from their home delivery produce box.
Self-determined Solutions for Advancing Food Justice
On Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. Hannah Sung hosts this discussion with Tara Ramkhelawan of Good Food Markets, Maria Londoño Forero of Scarborough Co-op Market and Jennifer Scott of Gig Workers United. Together, they will talk about community-led approaches to address food insecurity.
Nature therapy: Gardening and Mental Health and DIY Plant Hanger Workshop
On Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.FoodShare’s CAMH therapy garden coordinator Natalie Boustead leads a webinar on the mental health benefits of caring for plants. Attendees will also learn the steps to make DIY macrame plant hangers!
Right to Food: Community-Driven COVID Response
On Thursday, Feb 25. at 11 a.m. Brittany Andrew-Amofah hosts this Q&A exploring mutual aid initiatives to support friends and neighbours with fresh food during the pandemic. Amofah will be joined by Laëtitia Eyssartel and Moorthi Senaratne of FoodShare and Ellie Ade Kur of Maggie’s Toronto and The People’s Pantry. They will also discuss policy interventions that are needed to create the conditions for long term food security.
Live Q+A with elected officials on what the right to food looks like to you
On Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. Renee Jagdeo moderates a conversation with elected officials representing the three levels of government. They will respond to various visions and questions on the role of government in advancing the right to food in Canada.
To hear more about Recipe for Change, listen to the interview below with Andrea Thompson:
