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Hoarding! or is it Panic buying? or stocking up? Whats the difference and should you do it? In this episode Jonathan, Darren and William delve into the effects of panic buying, how you can stock up sustainably, what to buy, when, and how to store it. Food shortages can occur anywhere, for many reasons, this episide will ensure that whereever you are, you are well prepared.

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!

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. 

How lucky are we?! We got to sit down with The Comox Valley Canning Company to discuss canning and preserves with the exuberant and vivacious owner, JJ! Let's talk about the bounty and harvest of everything good about the Valley and harnessing it in a jar for later indulgences! 

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.

  Well we have been sitting on this interview for a while now. This time we slow things down and find out what makes great bread. Mark from Honey Grove bakery sits down with us to discuss’s his products, where he makes it and what makes it so good. Enjoy this episode as we learn about taking your time to make something right and using only the best of ingredients.

It's time to quench your thirst! We are lucky enough to have Jessica Macpherson of Heavenly Libations come to the studio to talk about shrubs. What’s a shrub, you ask? You'll have an to listen to Jessica explain their make up, history and flavours. From sodas to cocktails, this old school way of preserving will touch your taste buds

Today we bring back two of our very first guests on the podcast: Lia and BrianMcCormick.  We always like catching up with our old neighbours, and this episode is no exception. The Clever Crow duo run a farm filled with ducks and chickens; a store featuring the ever popular and locally produced hand harvested salts; cooking classes; and soon a commercial kitchen.