Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues, even when they don’t involve food.
Maybe it’s because I’m writing this on Thanksgiving, but everything right now seems to be about food. Or maybe it’s because this coming Saturday, October 16 is World Food Day, or just that Ottawa’s markets are bursting with goodness. In any case, here are some opportunities to discuss, celebrate and support sustainable and accessible food:
Starved for Attention: The crisis of childhood malnutrition: Public talk October 13 and Multimedia Exhibit October 13-31
On Wednesday, October 13, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is holding a public talk by Marilyn McHarg, MSF Canada General Director, and Susie Tector, Medical Doctor. 6:30-7:30 pm in the amphitheatre, Saint Paul University, The Atrium, Guigues Hall, 223 Main St. Registration is limited and free at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/878586877.
From October 13-31, visit Starved for Attention, a free multimedia exhibit in the Atrium of Saint Paul University, 223 Main St. MSF says, “Blending photography and video, the exhibit features the work of award-winning photojournalists from the VII Photo Agency, who travelled to malnutrition hotspots around the world to shed light on the causes of the crisis and approaches to combat this condition.”
Kitchen Table Talks: Public talks about access to food in Ottawa, October 14 and 18
Just Food, in connection with the national People’s Food Policy project, presents:
Thursday October 14: Access to Healthy Food in Urban and Suburban Ottawa. 7:00-9:00 pm, Dominion Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper St.
Monday, October 18: Poverty and Access to Food in Ottawa: Building Solutions. 7:00-9:00 pm, Dominion Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper St.
Empires of Food: World Food Day forum with Dr. Evan Fraser, October 15
A USC Canada public forum about avoiding global food disaster. In his new book, Empires of Food, Dr. Fraser chronicles the fate of societies which depended on favourable climates and unsustainable farming practices. Dr. Fraser will speak about parallels between those fallen “Food Empires” and our modern global civilization, and what we need to do about them. Friday, October 15 at 7:00 pm (meet & greet at 6:15) in the atrium of Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. Free admission. For more information contact Kate Green by email or phone 613-234-6827 x228.
Organic Week October 9-16: Check out events in and around Ottawa.
And speaking of food, everyone is welcome to join Ecology Ottawa for Eat, Drink, Vote! Ecology Ottawa’s 4th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, October 13: an evening of vegetarian food, silent auction, local live music, speeches, and the Ecology Ottawa Community Leadership Awards. All proceeds to Ecology Ottawa. 5:30-11:00 pm (dinner at 7:00 pm), Christ Church Cathedral Hall, 420 Sparks St. For information or to reserve a ticket, email events@ecologyottawa.ca or phone 613-860-5353.
Green Living Ottawa 