Local

Who better to redefine 'pizza' than the very farmer who grows/raises the ingredients? In this episode Jonathan, Darren and William meet with Jim from Jackknife Pizza. Jim has embarked on a journey to challenge our view of pizza by throwing out the playbook and starting from scratch. From aging the Pizza dough, tossing out the standbys, to a complete bottom up revolution on traditional flavour combinations, Jim has tapped into his extensive farming knowledge to bring a completely new pizza offering to the table. And we're all better for it.

In this episode Jonathan, Darren and William deep dive into all aspects of food and menu planning, from taking stock of what you have, too deciding how many meals you are planning for - it can all be so daunting but with the tips, tricks and even ‘Jon’s 6 step plan’ you’ll save time, waste less and eat better!

You asked ,we reply!
A long time listener of The Edible Valley Podcast asked for tips on stir-fry’s. We took the opportunity to dig right in and discuss our favourite aspects and elements of this family classic. 
Stay tune for an upcoming video of this podcast.

In today's episode, we discuss the pros and cons of dining both with, and without companions. Does it affect the experience? The food? The enjoyment? Listen in for Jonathan's, William's, and Darren's various takes' on the matter. 

Welcome to the Edible Valley Podcast. This is Episode 178, and today we are with Sharon Janzen from Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery. Sharon grew up in Vancouver and always had an entrepreneurial flair, spending a lot of her time making and selling things—starting with sling-style baby carriers, which she made and then sold across Canada.
Then she moved to Thetis Island, as her husband got a new job at a children’s camp. Sharon decided to start experimenting with baking and selling cinnamon buns, thus laying the groundwork for the future Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery.
In 2000 she moved to Vancouver Island. After gaining more baking experience, she saw an opportunity to sell goods from a wicker basket in the schools and businesses throughout the valley. She started by placing a basket in the staff room at Miracle Beach Elementary and Black Creek Elementary, where teachers and staff paid for goods using the honour system. She then quickly moved on to selling at offices, car dealerships, and dentists, operating the entire business just out of the back of her Volkswagen Jetta. 
Word of her delicious baking spread throughout the valley, and people started asking Sharon if she was at any farmers’ markets. In response, she scaled up her business and started selling at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Her husband, who is a crucial support, retrofitted her equipment with wheels so she could operate efficiently and continue to grow her business. 
We have a lot to share with you about this incredible story of Canadian entrepreneurialism. Edible Valley is very proud to introduce Sharon Janzen. 

 
On this episode, our guest Diane Jackson moved to the valley four years ago from Vancouver where she met her partner Andrew who along with Diane also had a huge passion and desire for a simpler way of life and to farm, they set out creating a list of things that needed to get done, starting with moving here and it is a list they continue to use today. But Diane's passion for all things local and farming can be traced much further back to her time in Toronto where she trained as a sommelier with the international sommeliers guild, …..armed with this knowledge and passion she went on to open a successful casual fine dining restaurant in Flesherton, an all season town of 800 people in rural Ontario. 
But after many happy years she heard her province of BC calling her home and moved to Osoyoos where she was a sommelier before eventually heading home to Vancouver where she met Andrew and started her plans for what we now know as Fitzgerald Farms. 
 
If you wish to learn more about the Farm here are a few easy way to contact Diane
Address:  Fitzgerald Farm 
                6499 Fitzgerald Road
                Courtenay BC, Canada
Facebook: Fitzgerald Farm
Email: dianejackson22@gmail.com
Phone Number: 250-485-2487

What a great time we had talking to the owners of Tidal Cafe! Kurt and Blythe Reimer were exuberant, enthusiastic, and gracious guests on this episode the Edible Valley. Their passion for the Valley, good food, and building community bursts forth in everything they do. It's impossible to not get swept up in their energy and dedication to their craft!
 
Facebook: Tidal Cafe
Instagram:Tidal Cafe

 With the easing off on Covid-19 restrictions, people are returning to their daily and weekly routines, including dining out. Jonathan and Darren discuss the process of returning to the restaurant industry under these new conditions, and also touch on what they’ve been doing in food during the closure.    
   

Today, Jon and Darren talk about the relationship between chef and farmer. Not just how they play an important role in each other's lives, but the rippling effect outward, and how far it reaches in the community, local economy, and even food trends. The give and take back and forth plays a strong role in the identity of each other's business and persona. Listen in as we discuss what we feel are the 10 most compelling points.  

Well it may have taken us sometime but we are finally able to upload this interview from an earlier time.
With all the chaos in the world to do with the Corona virus its good to know that organization like LUSH Valley (Let Us Share the Harvest) have been looking at food security in our community. Lush Valleys mission is to support the Comox Valley in gaining food-systems skills and knowledge to increase food security, self-sufficiency, and local food production across the region.  We are excited to sit down with Maurita Prato Executive Director of LUSH Valley to learn just a little bit more about all the amazing things LUSH Valley does. We talk about all the program LUSH is involved with such as Fruit tree, Healthy food, Share the harvest and Garden share and learn how they are trying to shape our food community.
At this time we would also bring attention to lush valleys Emergency Food Share Program which is aimed at providing food to those in need in the Comox Valley, including those in need of financial and/or food delivery assistance. The program also provides pick-up and delivery of donated food items from businesses and supports neighbourhood food drives. If you are able to donate at this time every little bit counts.
 
Website: https://lushvalley.org/food-share/
Please direct all questions to foodshare@lushvalley.org or to 250-207-HELP (4357).
Call Centre hours of operation are:Monday/Wednesday/Friday – 9:00 am to 1:00 pmTuesday/Thursday – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Do you eat, drink, think, local? We have “Edible Vancouver Island” to talk with us about their new with quarterly publication and online resource, committed to celebrating and promoting the local food and drink culture of Vancouver Island. Dawn Postnikoff (Publisher / Editor) and Danika McDowell (Creative Director) join us to discuss their new project. 

After a long break Jonathan and Darren are back from a busy summer and ready to start interviewing again.  A new event “Farm Fresh Soup Fest” is coming to the Comox Valley. This food competition being hosted at the Black Creek Community Centre with the help of Lush Valley is sure to be a hit. With 10 local chefs using locally sourced ingredients to create masterful soups for 150 lucky guest. In this episode we talk with Jessie Gill marketing and event coordinator for the Black Creek Community centre and learn about the event. We also learn about some of our favourite soup and what goes into a great soup.