For those just tuning into the truck saga, the beloved Fresh Roots farm truck went missing in September 2023.
After tapping into the power of social media and community, the truck was found in Mission and officially deemed by Abbotsford Police as having been stolen. The truck was written off, and we had to say goodbye to our trusty steed who served our community faithfully for over a decade.
Not ideal, but with the support of our amazing donors (like you!), we will persevere.
Will you join us with a donation to help us purchase a new truck?
The truck is a critical link in our farming operations that connects our community and youth to food and opportunities to grow on our schoolyard farms, so we invite you to join our fundraising efforts.
Thank You!
A farm truck is a crucial part of our schoolyard farms that holds a legacy to serve our community for many seasons to come.
We are a charitable organization and are happy to issue you a tax receipt for your donation of $10 or more. If you would like to donate via e-transfer funds can be emailed to accounts@freshroots.ca or join our Taproot Network our special group of monthly sustaining donors providing foundational and ongoing support. Our charitable number is 844249680RR0001. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing info@freshroots.ca.
FRESH ROOTS AT RISK OF CANCELLING FUNDRAISER: ‘SCHOOLYARD HARVEST LONGTABLE DINNER’, HAPPENING JULY 6TH
Purchase your tickets now for the ‘Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner’ benefitting Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society’s youth programs
Vancouver B.C., June 21, 2023—After a 3-year hiatus, Fresh Roots Urban Farm Societyis excited to be bringing back their most anticipated and critical fundraiser of the year: Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner on Thursday, July 6, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. However, this previously quick-to-sell-out summertime event is already at risk of being cancelled due to slow ticket sales. Fresh Roots relies heavily on this event to fund Fresh Roots’ youth programswhich empower young people to connect with both their community and the food on their plate. Celebrating nature’s bounty on the verdant farm grounds of David Thompson Secondary School, Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner is an elegant, chef-prepared multi-course, seated dinner made with locally sourced ingredients from the charity’s schoolyard farms and community partners, and paired with an open bar of wine, beer, and other beverages. Ticketsare $250 for adults, and include food, drink, live music and farm tours!
“This year’s event is a special celebration of the 10th anniversary of Fresh Roots’ first schoolyard farm,” explains Alexa Pitoulis, Fresh Roots Executive Director. “It will be an unforgettable culinary evening on the oasis of our urban farm—all in support of farm-based learning and leadership for kids and youth across Metro Vancouver.”
The evening will begin with cocktail hour at 5:30pm. Guests will choose between craft alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages accompanied by a grazing table composed of locally produced ingredients and the best of the season’s local harvest. During cocktail hour, guests are encouraged to mingle and wander through the lush schoolyard farm to experience the work of Fresh Roots firsthand at the peak of golden hour. Knowledgeable staff and former youth participants will be eager to offer farm tours and tell guests about their personal experiences with Fresh Roots.
At 6:30pm diners will take their seats to indulge in a locally-focused multi-course meal prepared by Governor General’s Award-winning Chef Robert Clark, and Chef Julian Bond (Organic Ocean Seafood), Chef TJ Conwi (Ono Vancouver), acclaimed Pastry Chef Fumiko Moreton (Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre), and Chef Derrick Sibayan (Holts Café), plus beverages from Ward’s Cider, Persephone Brewing Company, and Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company.
All funds raised at the Schoolyard Farm Longtable Dinner benefit Fresh Roots’ youth programs. Over the past decade, Fresh Roots has embarked on an inspiring and transformative journey, empowering young people to become food citizens and land stewards. Participants learn how to grow and sell food through planting, harvesting, and working at farmer’s markets. They develop valuable farming and entrepreneurial experience while also nurturing their self-confidence and ability to work effectively as a team.
Partners of Fresh Roots 2023 Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner include: Organic Ocean, Windsor Meats, Persephone Brewing Company, 33 Acres Brewing Co., Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company, Wards Cider, Wize Iced Tea, Ono Vancouver, KPU Richmond Farm, UBC Farm, Cropthorne Farm, Terra Breads, Earnest Ice Cream, TMRW Foods, Spread ‘Em Kitchen Co., Legends Haul, KMComms, plus additional generous partners to be announced in the days to come.
Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.
– 30-
Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society
GROWING FOOD GROWING COMMUNITY! Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society envisions a world where everyone has access to healthy food, land, and community. This non-profit organization works to cultivate engaging gardens and programs that catalyze healthy eating, ecological stewardship, and community celebration. Fresh Roots helps schools and school districts across Metro Vancouver grow community through growing food. Working with a variety of partners and clients, it utilizes school gardens to provide opportunities for inquiry-based and cross-curricular learning, volunteering, leadership development, and job skills training that animate school communities across the Lower Mainland.
Named “The Most Worthy Longtable Dinner of the Summer” by Vancouver Magazine in 2019, the Fresh Roots Schoolyard Harvest Longtable Dinner is back after a 3-year hiatus. Get your tickets to our most anticipated annual fundraiser before they sell out! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2023-schoolyard-harvest-dinner-tickets-621141830937
You’re invited for a meaningful, enchanting summer evening on the David Thompson schoolyard farm as we celebrate local food, community, and youth while raising critical funds to support Fresh Roots’ impactful programs.
At $250 per person, your ticket gives your exclusive access to an elegant chef-prepared multi-course, seated dinner, led by Chef TJ of Ono Vancouver and in collaboration with select partner chefs (to be revealed soon!), made with locally sourced ingredients from our schoolyard farms and community partners, and paired with an open bar of a wide selection of wine, beer, and other beverages.
A portion of your ticket supports our youth and kids on schoolyard farms, giving more opportunities for them to connect with their land, food, and community through experiential learning and youth empowerment. Join us as we reminisce on 10 years of impact together while looking forward to what’s to come. Stay tuned for more information about the event!
Roger Ma, centre, represented Vancouver with a win in 2019 and landed at the top of the podium nationally in 2020. He’s seen here with Marc-André Jetté of Hoogan et Beaufort and Emily Butcher of deer + almond. Great Kitchen Party/Facebook
It’s no secret that sometimes the best spot at the party is in the kitchen. And in Vancouver, our “kitchen” talent is vast.
To celebrate the city’s culinary stars on the rise – and support an incredible cause – Canada’s Great Kitchen Party returns on Nov. 24 with an in-person competition to determine who will represent Vancouver next year in the nationwide championship.
Launched in 2006, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party (formerly known as Gold Medal Plates) aims to elevate and celebrate Canadian Excellence by bringing together the top chefs in each city for a ticketed event that also mixes in iconic Canadian musicians and athletes.
The exciting face-off at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver features some impressive local chefs representing a slate of acclaimed independent restaurants – including a few recently recognized by the Michelin Guide: Vish Mayekar (Caffè La Tana, Pepino’s); Scott Korzack (Bacaro); Bobby Milheron (Homer St. Cafe and Bar, Tableau Bar Bistro, Maxine’s Cafe & Bar); Sandy Chef (Archer); Thachaya (Mike) Tuangkitkun (Maenam); and Sean Reeve (Collective Goods, Say Mercy, The Mackenzie Room).
For Joie Alvaro Kent, cookbook author, food writer, and Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Vancouver Senior Judge, this year’s return to in-person competition comes at a most opportune time, and also offers the chance to spotlight the city’s culinary diversity in the kitchen and on the plate, and put an emphasis on some of our incredible indie spots.
“Vancouver’s inaugural list of Michelin one-star restaurants was a tour de force for highly revered neighbourhood gems,” Alvaro Kent tells Vancouver Is Awesome. “I’m absolutely thrilled that the slate of talented chefs competing in this year’s Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Vancouver genuinely reflects our city’s prevailing fondness for independently owned restaurants as well as our cultural diversity.”
Chef Sandy Chen, who is at the stoves as Chef de Cuisine at Archer, one of Vancouver’s most exciting fall debuts, reflects on what the event means personally. “It’s so great to see the return of in-person cooking competitions,” Chen tells V.I.A. “For me, it is an honour, privilege, and great opportunity to challenge my limits and push myself to another level.”
Sandy Chen is Chef de Cuisine at Archer in Vancouver, and is competing Nov. 24 to represent the city for the Great Kitchen Party. . @sandyweichen/Instagram
A familiar face to fans of TV’s Top Chef Canada will surely recognize Vish Mayekar, Head Chef at The Drive’s popular sibling spots Caffè La Tana and Pepino’s.”Calling Canada home now and now having the privilege of representing Vancouver on the national level through Top Chef and being part of Culinary Team Canada has been an incredible honour,” says Mayekar. “My next goal: keeping the Canadian Culinary Championship title in Vancouver!”
Vancouver last sent its winner all the way to the top of the podium in February 2020, when Roger Ma (Boulevard) took the championship.
Kitchen Party event features music stars, benefits Fresh Roots
In addition to the cooking competition, the evening includes live entertainment from Neil Osborne of 54-40, blues singer Kandle Osborne, and Canadian Hall of Fame and Juno award-winning band Chilliwack.
The event also happens to be one of the city’s largest annual fundraising dinner parties, and this year’s beneficiary is Fresh Roots, the Vancouver non-profit that transforms urban spaces to create thriving neighbourhood gathering places for learning, sharing, and connecting.
“We are proud to be part of this event in which all the competing chefs are champions supporting local and sustainable food systems. Fresh Roots’ mission is giving kids unique opportunities to experience growing, preparing, sharing, and celebrating good food—perfectly aligned with Canada’s Great Kitchen Party!” says Alexa Pitoulis, Fresh Roots Executive Director.
When it comes to the food, guests will watch as the competing chefs present their dishes to the judges’ panel. Senior Judge Alvaro Kent will be joined by James Chatto (Canada’s Great Kitchen Party National Culinary Advisor and Head Judge) along with well-known food industry Vancouverites Roger Ma; Andrea Carlson; Hamid Salimian; Douglas Chang; and Sid Cross.
All eyes will be on Chen, Mayekar, and the other four chefs as the centrepiece for a terrific night that reflects so much of what Vancouver’s food scene is all about.
“These six highly skilled culinarians uphold an impressive level of integrity, ingenuity, and dedication to highlighting local growers and purveyors—a true testament to the key values of Vancouver’s food community. We’re in for an exciting evening and a tight race for top honours,” shares Alvaro Kent.
Engaging articles, reviews and stories all about Vancouver. Vancouver Magazine informs, guides and entertains people who engage with the city. Mixing quality journalism and service-driven pieces, it chronicles and reflects Vancouver’s emergence as a dynamic international city.
Vancouver nonprofit Fresh Roots is best known for their farming-focused youth programs—summer camps, in-school workshops and other organized educational activities that encourage kids to get their hands dirty. So you probably wouldn’t expect their fundraiser to include rainbow trout ceviche, wine-macerated figs and burnt onion charcoal hummus.
But the urban farm society’s annual fundraising dinner isn’t made by the kids (there must be some kind of legislation around children and wine-macerating, anyway). It’s done in partnership with local chefs, and this year’s spread includes dishes by Robert Clark and Julian Bond of Organic Ocean, TJ Conwi of Ono Vancouver and Brockton Lane of Sirius Eats food truck. Plus, there’s goods from 33 Acres, Wards Cider, Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, Earnest Ice Cream and Kafka’s Coffee.
A snapshot of the 2019 dinner.
The event, called “Before Sunset,” is on Thursday July 7 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Eventbrite tickets are priced from $134 for adults and $28 for children under 12. Here’s the full menu:
Drinks: 33 Acres of Sunshine French Blanchè and Ocean West Coast Pale Ale Wards Hard Apple Cider Edna’s Paloma and Mojito Cocktails
From chefs at Organic Ocean: Spot Prawn Carpaccio, Hokkaido Scallop Ceviche on cedar planks
From chef at Sirius Eats food truck: Beet Ceviche (marinated Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Farm beets and carrot aguachile)
Sirius Veg Burger (Oyster and King Farm mushrooms, mini bun)
From chef at Ono Vancouver: Rainbow Trout Roulade (smoked salmon mousse, Haida Gwaii kelp dust, nori, rhubarb wild-berry jelly, bannock crackers)
On the grazing table:
Bannock flatbread
Wine-macerated figs and fruit
Squid ink soil and burnt onion charcoal hummus
“Textures of Fresh Roots Farm” veg, and lacto-fermeted veg
Pickled, roasted and raw KPU Farm veg
Oyster and King Farms mushroom conserva
Crackers, olives, vegan charcuterie, cheese and spreads
For dessert:
Earnest Ice Cream sandwich
Kafka’s Coffee Roasting Horchata Cold Brew
Of course, you can donate to the nonprofit any time of year, but this is an extra-special (and tasty) way to show support. It’s the first time that Fresh Roots has hosted the dinner in-person since 2019, thanks to the COVID pandemic.
The dinner takes place outdoors on the urban farm at David Thompson Secondary, so guests can walk around and see the grounds for themselves. There’s live music from Sam Parton of the Be Good Tanyas and art activities for the youth (and young at heart) too. Get your tickets here.
Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society is excited about the return to in-person events and can’t wait to see you at this year’s summer fundraiser, Before Sunset, on Thursday, July 7.
Celebrating nature’s bounty on the verdant farm grounds of David Thompson Secondary School in Vancouver, Before Sunset is an early-evening event from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Early-bird tickets, which are available until June 20, start at $100 for adults and $25 for kids and include activities, live music, food, and drink.
Before Sunset attendees will soak up summer’s splendour en plein air, drinking in the magic of golden hour while enjoying a festive meal centred around incredible locally sourced and crafted fare. Guests are encouraged to mingle and wander through the schoolyard farm, a direct connection with the environment in which the evening’s food was grown. Highlights include a grazing table and tasting plates prepared by beloved chefs TJ Conwi (Ono Vancouver), Robert Clark and Julian Bond (Organic Ocean), and Sirius Craving food truck, plus beverages from 33 Acres Brewing Company, Wards Cider, and Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, as well as a sweet finish by Earnest Ice Cream and Kafka’s Coffee Roasting.
Fresh Roots Before Sunset Menu
33 Acres of Sunshine French Blanchè, and Ocean West Coast Pale Ale Wards Hard Apple Cider Edna’s Paloma, and Mojito Cocktails (non-alc)
Spot Prawn Carpaccio Hokkaido Scallop Ceviche
on cedar planks By chefs Rob Clark and Julian Bond | Organic Ocean Seafood
Beet Ceviche
marinated Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Farmbeets, and carrot aguachile
Sirius Veg Burger
Oyster and King Farm mushrooms, mini bun
Rainbow Trout Ceviche
chlorophyll aguachile, KPU farm herbs
Farmcrest Chicken Slider
crisp chicken, pickled KPU farm radish
By chef Brockton Lane | Sirius Eats Food Truck ~
Fresh Roots Grazing Table
squid ink soil, and burnt onion charcoal hummus
textures of Fresh Roots Farm veg, and lacto-fermeted veg
pickled, roasted and raw KPU Farm veg
Oyster and King Farms mushroom conserva
bannock flatbread
wine-macerated figs and fruit
crackers, olives, vegan charcuterie, cheese and spreads
In addition to a delicious feast, guests can enjoy fun farm-based education and art activities, plus a slate of live entertainment including a soulful performance from Sam Parton, a founding member of the Be Good Tanyas.
Funds generated by this highly anticipated annual event directly benefit Fresh Roots’ youth programs, which empower young people to connect with both their community and the food on their plate. Fresh Roots participants learn how to grow and sell food through planting, harvesting, and working at farmer’s markets. They develop valuable farming and entrepreneurial experience while also nurturing their self-confidence and ability to work effectively as a team.
Partners of Fresh Roots 2022 Before Sunset fundraiser include: Organic Ocean, 33 Acres Brewing Co., Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company, Wards Cider, Ono Vancouver, Sirius Craving, Spud, KPU Farm, Oyster and King Mushrooms, Fraser Valley Seafood, Spread ‘Em Kitchen Co., Earnest Ice Cream, Kafka’s Coffee Roasting, Maenam, Seasons Bakery, Katharine Manson Communications, Modo Co-operative, East Van Graphics, plus more generous donors to be announced in the days to come.
Before Sunset tickets are on sale now until July 6 via Eventbrite, and priced at $100 for early-bird adults (increases to $125 after June 20), $25 for kids, and $200 for VIP packages.
The Fresh Roots ‘Before Sunset’ schoolyard dinner spreads across the fields of David Thompson Secondary schoolyard Thursday, July 7th.
Besides a bunch of fresh, expertly prepared food and drinks, Before Sunset guests will also be invited to enjoy live music, take tours of the on-site farm gardens, and participate in some fun activities. We think that the real thrill, though, is the idea of piling into the David Thompson Secondary schoolyard after all of the students have cleared out for the summer, to spend a few hours connecting with friends and other members of the food-loving community. Scout got a sneak peek of the evening’s dinner spread, and we’re already sold. Check it out for yourself below:
Fresh Roots Before Sunset Menu
33 Acres of Sunshine French Blanchè, and Ocean West Coast Pale Ale
Wards Hard Apple Cider
Edna’s Paloma, and Mojito Cocktails (non-alc)
~
Spot Prawn Carpaccio Hokkaido Scallop Cevicheon cedar planks
By chefs Rob Clark and Julian Bond | Organic Ocean Seafood
~
Beet Ceviche marinated Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Farm beets, and carrot aguachile
Sirius Veg Burger Oyster and King Farm mushrooms, mini bun
Early Bird tickets, available until June 20th, are $100 per person. For those who have been saving up to splurge, there’s also a $200 VIP option that comes with special perks and a ‘goodie bag’. Regular ticket sales ($125 per person, $25 for kids) are technically open right up until July 6th, but we seriously doubt they’ll last that long… so don’t risk disappointment by putting off securing your spots! Head over here now. Bonus: all funds from the event go towards continuing Fresh Roots’ awesome hands-on farming programs for youth (find out more).
Fresh Roots alumnus Fiona Sutherland and executive director Alexa Pitoulis talk about their campaign Make it Sow, and show off what they grow on city schoolyard farms.
