The October 4 celebration of World Food Day at Toronto City Hall is gearing up to be the one-stop learning, networking and enjoyment event of the fall season.
We start with one hour packed with top rate speakers, each primed for a short and snappy presentation.
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, opens the event.
Chef Marc Breton, who's been delighting guests at the Gladstone Hotel all summer with meals cooked right out of the box delivered by the Hotel's farmer, Chick-A-Biddy Acres CSA will speak on the joys and challenges of cooking seasonally.
Naomi Duguid, world traveller and two-time winner of the world's most prestigious award for food books, will talk about fear of cultural foods.
Jady Morant will talk about the innovative and effective Peer Nutrition Program that supports women who've just arrived in Toronto.
Dr. Judy New, dietitian on staff with the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres and co-host of the TV program "Cooking with the Wolfman," will talk about the campaign against diabetes in the Aboriginal community.
Dr. Patrick Habamenshi, an eloquent veterinarian from Rwanda, is working with an inspired group that's trying to open up opportunities for "New Canadians, New Farmers."
Catch your breath with Nick Saul of STOP Community Food Centre, who'll promote his powerful idea that every neighborhood should have a community food centre.
Ulla Knowles of the Toronto Partners for Student Nutrition will talk about the success of salad bars in school meal programs.
Brian Cook will talk about the Children's Food Bill that Jamie Oliver is making such a success with in England, and that we might see right here in Ontario.
Mike Schreiner, one of the first entrepreneurs to bring local food into the city and now a vice-resident of Local Flavor Plus, will talk about the new kid on the block of government food purchasing.
To bring it all together, we have Elbert van Donkersgoed, formerly the most distinguished farm columnist in Ontario, now head of the GTA Agricultural Action Committee, speaking on the need for continued dialogue betwen farmers and eaters, people in the new countrside and the city. And it's all going to be captured on film (which is how we know the speeches only last an hour).
Then it's time for local and diverse snacks, networking, and a chance to see some dynamic displays and food samples from Toronto's effervescent food community. This is your chance to learn about farmland trusts, seed saving and heirloom veggies, community and school gardening, sustainable farm programs geared to students of all ages, farmers markets, immigrant farmers, fair trade chocolate, coffee and tea, green roofs on schools, school salad bars, Korean kimchi grown and made north of Toronto, composting, food banks, historic baking, charitable foundations, Real Food for Real Kids — and to learn why an apple a day keeps the dentist away.
And when you're done (or if you come early), you can view the wonderful photo gallery on the main floor of City Hall featuring food and food producers captured by two celebrated photographers, Laura Berman and Vince Pietrapaola.
And catch the Mayor's proclamation on World Food Day, a first for those of us who celebrate this special day.
All this and more inside of two hours! How can you beat it? Why would you beat it when you can join it —
at the Wednesday October 4th, Members' Lounge, 3rd floor, Toronto City Hall, from 10:00 to noon.
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