Local foodies, business owners, activists and elected officials gathered over the lunch on Feb. 14 to hear seven Sudburians talk about how they are creating positive change to the city’s food system.
Each person was given just four minutes to speak at the aptly named "Four-Minute Foodies" lunch.
“There is a vibrant food culture here, with lots of success stories and lessons learned,” said Cassandra Gosselin, co-chair of the Greater Sudbury Food Policy Council.
Some new voices were featured at this fourth-annual Four-Minute Foodies event, sharing stories about the changing food landscape.
Jolene Recollet spoke about Wahnapitae First Nation’s new and ongoing food programs.
“I look forward to starting conversations about integrating Indigenous Food Sources into Greater Sudbury’s Food Fabric,” said Recollet, an Economic Development Officer for the community.
The audience of city staff, elected officials and food activists were given a preview of La Fromagerie’s new menu by new owner, Kelsey Cutinello.
“We have kept the best of the old and put in some of our own flavour. We are very excited to share our passion with Sudbury," said Cutinello.
La Fromagerie will be carrying local food products when it re-opens Feb. 20.
Erica Lagios, General Manager of Eat Local Sudbury, spoke about the recent decision to close the co-op and shared some ways that eaters can still access the local produce, meat, and other goods they have come to love.
“Our team would like to maintain the relationships we've created with local farmers over the years, and invite the community to visit Eat Local Sudbury's website to find the latest information on other retailers that carry their products, as well as contact information to reach out to our producers directly," said Lagios.
Other speakers included Kelly Merla and Heather Peters from the Good Food Box Pop-Up Markets, a not-for-profit roving Market program which provides fresh fruit and veggies at cost in neighbourhoods that lack an accessible grocery store.
Victoria Armit from FoodRescue.ca, a program which aims to re-direct food to charitable programs, saving it from the landfill also spoke at the event, along with Leigh Anne Ceccetto from Cultivate Your Neighbourhood, a school- based gardening program.
