A committed group of islanders learned a great deal from each other at a Feb. 20 food forum organized by Gabriolans for Local Food Choices (GLFC) at the Community Hall.

Organic growers Bob Shields and Rosheen Holland of Good Earth Farm brought a bountiful display of food from their garden, much of it dried. They also brought bean seeds. GLFC member Anna Bauer also had bean and parsnip seeds to share from her garden.

Local food advocate Eric Veale brought the Gabriola Land Use map to help identify potential land suitable for growing food. As food security becomes a top world-wide priority, community gardens are popping up around the world. On Gabriola these gardens could be on private land, or the open and sunny parts of community parks.

Sue Boulton, matriarch of Boulton’s Farm established in 1948, came with an informative display of their multi-generational family farm. Their intention is to maintain control of livestock from chick/poult/calf to finished product - to ensure proper growing standards - while remaining financially viable. We learned that their calves are fed home-grown hay and grass silage, along with pelleted grain that contains NO growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products.

Beyond growing local food, other displays provided valuable information on a variety of food topics. There were free handouts about the protein and calorie content for nuts, soy alert, irradiation of foods, warnings about artificial sweeteners, dangers of Teflon cookware (which lets off poisonous gases when heated) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Bauer brought the famous book on GMOs by Jeffrey Smith called Genetic Roulette. Other books focused on nutrition, growing food, politics of food, and cookbooks. GLFC member, Tsiporah Grignon, brought her library of food movies to lend.

Nutritionist Dona Bradley sprouted lentils we could sample, and explained how simple it is to sprout beans and grains. On her table there were dried beans, recipes and a cooking chart. Cherryl Reed set up a “Healthy Choices - Be Informed” table showing some healthy foods and her favourite cookbook: The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy.

Hendrik de Wilde, a stalwart proponent of permaculture bio-dynamic agricultural methods, brought handouts and books. Other members from the food group, Linnet Kartar and Lisa Baltich, also participated.

Gabriola’s Food Charter was on the wall, and can be seen at: gabriolafoodchoices.org

Kit Szanto came on behalf of the Community Kitchen planned for the Commons.

Sheila Hanisczewska told us about the Island Vegetarians group, whose next meeting is April 9, 2 pm, at Raspberries. (250-247-8482).

Shields advised us that the first step in gardening on Gabriola is fencing. Then we can work to improve the soil, which “always needs something”, so we must test it. We learned how to maximize our garden space and extend its growing season. By planting in pots early, transplants will be ready when the garden is ready. And by using remay (a gauzy “row cover” that protects plants from cold and keeps in moisture), we can ensure that our plants are protected from birds and insects. Shields stressed it is not possible to know what will work consistently; therefore, it is most important that we keep trying. Whether we are an experienced or a beginning gardener, there are always failures, and there is always learning, beyond books. The main thing is to JUST DO IT. The ever-engaged Hank Sirlin commented: “Always defer to a successful grower”.

Holland talked about survival foods, such as potatoes and all root vegetables, which are easy to grow and easy to store. Greens and beans are good protein foods. As for wild greens, she advised us to “embrace chickweed” since it offers green nutrition, and is very hard to eradicate. When asked about slug management, we learned there is no substitute for handpicking. However, if we want to prevent slugs from multiplying, it is best to MULCH when dry and hot. As for WATER retention, we could add peat to droughty places because it holds moisture.

Another informative speaker was Michael Mehta, who gave us an excellent presentation on the significant issue of labelling GMO food (thanks to Paul Grignon for the projector and screen). Mehta edited a book entitled Biotechnology Unglued, which explores the social dimensions of biotechnology. The Canadian government currently does not require that GM food be labelled, which begs the questions: what do companies promoting GM food have to hide, and why is our government demanding that science must prove GM foods are unsafe before any labelling of GM foods is done? Surely labelling food should serve the needs of consumers first! We were reminded that this issue requires continual pressure on our government, and it should also be directed at food companies and retailers.

Despite the sunny weather, it was an afternoon well-spent inside.