Surrey’s First Agriculture Week
Today in the Plaza at Surrey City hall, we ended (in fine fashion) Surrey’s first Agriculture Week. The week was a great success in our first year and I hope we can take the positive feedback from the attendees and grow (pun intended) this event that highlights the importance of food security and the vastness of our agriculture in Surrey.
The bus tours on Tuesday and Wednesday identified the priorities of preserving our ALR land base in Surrey and Metro Vancouver. Participants were Metro Vancouver planners, elected officials and their staff and our own Agricultural Food Security Advisory Committee (AFSAC) members. Visits were made to Evergreen Herbs, Heppell Potato Corporation, John Volken Academy (Bio Pod), International Herbs and Nicomekl Farms. Thanks to the owners for taking time out of their busy schedule to show us their operations.
On Thursday an Agriculture Land Lease Workshop was held at City hall to roll out the City’s Farmable Now website that is developed to identify and match up future farmers with land owners that have unused farm property. Thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture and Vancity for their sponsorship with this ground-breaking (yes pun intended again) program. On Friday the City hosted the field to food speaker’s forum regarding the Dairy Industry.
The culmination of the first Agricultural week finished with Pie in the Plaza. The rain did not stop BC’s largest blueberry pie from being constructed and deconstructed on site. Many visitors to this free event got a piece of this pie. Thanks to Mark from Price Pro and his crew for building this 8 foot (diameter) blueberry pie and handing out pie to the attendees. The event wrapped up with what I will call the “revenge of the mascot farm animals.” Members of AFSAC, Mike Gay, Bill, Pat and I, lined up to get a pie in the face from various farm mascots. A fan favourite to say the least.
Thanks to all of the Staff and volunteers who set up (in the rain) and tore down Pie in the Plaza. This event could not take place without you!
As part of Agriculture week, our Farm to Table event continues until the end of September. Please take some time to enjoy a Sunday dinner (Tuesday in South Surrey) that features our local farms, which translates to better tasting foods and supports our local economy. (https://mikestarchuk.com/farm-fresh-september/)
The participating restaurants are:
• Bozzinnis – 13655 104 Avenue
• Elements Casino – 17755 60 Avenue
• Maharaja Restaurant – 8148 128 Street
• Old Surrey Restaurant – 13483 72 Avenue
• Royal Oak Restaurant – 15336 Fraser Highway
• Tap Restaurant – 101-15350 34 Avenue ***
• The Taphouse 15330 102A Avenue
*** Tap Restaurant will offer their menu on Tuesdays in September, as the restaurant is closed on Sundays.
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