Flavourful Saskatoon, May 7, 2012

Foodie news and events in and around Saskatoon – slow food, Foodshed, chocolate without slavery, and the provincial dividing line 

Slow Food Canada 
I had an amazing time at the Slow Food Canada annual meeting in Edmonton. I learned so much about slow food and am deeply committed to starting a slow food convivium in Saskatoon. I will be writing more about this shortly, but email me if you’re interested in joining.

I was so proud to represent Saskatchewan farmers and producers. I distributed sample bottles of Three Farmers camelina oil – this was something new for all the attendees so a great opportunity to promote this product. People enjoyed the Daybreak Mill granola at breakfast, and seabuckthorn gelato from Northern Vigor Berries was a huge hit with homemade pies (it is such a vibrant orange!). I also distributed samples of hemp hearts from Hestia Organics and served Gravelbourg Mustard. A huge vote of thanks to all the producers who provided me with samples!

Photos: We tasted bread made with Red Fife wheat that had been grown in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Each of them was completely different to bake with and to eat. We also visited Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm, a typical farm that has now diversified and provides a variety of activities for families – from petting baby goats in the spring to harvesting potatoes in the fall (Laurie is an active member of Slow Food Perth County).

Foodshed, May 10 
I’m looking forward to hearing dee Hobsbawn-Smith read from her book, Foodshed: An Edible Alberta Alphabet, on Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 pm at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon.

Chocolate without Slavery 
If you enjoy chocolate but want to ensure that the workers on cocoa bean plantations receive a living wage, you’ll be happy to know that the Co-op store on Attridge Drive is selling Cadbury’s fair trade chocolate bars. Other options are Divine chocolate from Ten Thousand Villages and Camino chocolate that is available at various locations. (via CL – with thanks!)

FairTrade Canada provides a useful guide to buying Fair Trade chocolate and discusses the positive impact fair trade can have on small farming communities in countries such as Ghana.

Provincial Dividing Line
Jonathan Potts, Director of Marketing for Tourism Saskatchewan, says that it’s surprising how much people don’t know about our province. If we live north of Davidson, we rarely go south on holiday – and if you live in southern Saskatchewan, you rarely travel north.

Find out about some great tourism destinations at Saskatchewan Tourism: Our Natural Heritage (from EcoFriendly Sask).

Locally-Grown Food in North West Territories 
Food learning project grows into way of life is an interesting article about how gardening and permaculture workshops in various communities across the North West Territories have sparked interest in local food production.

Flavourful Saskatoon is a weekly Monday feature. I also post regular profiles of culinary entrepreneurs, new restaurants and new food products.

Follow me on Twitter, like the Wanderlust Facebook page, or subscribe to Wanderlust and Words by email (top right-hand corner) to stay on top of Saskatoon’s evolving food culture.

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