Farm to School BC's first provincial conference!
You're invited to Farm to School BC's first conference, Planting the Seed!
Planting the Seed will gather together a diverse group of BC food champions who strive to bring more healthy, local, and sustainable foods to the minds and plates of all students.
Our conference aims to celebrate the impact of both budding and established school food initiatives, welcome diverse perspectives to share their experiences and knowledge and leave our community with a revitalized sense of connectedness and empowerment.
Learn more about our Vision, Goals and Values.
Learn more about our Vision, Goals and Values.
Let's harvest connections, ideas and community together on May 18 and 19, 2023!
Pre-Conference Field Trips on May 17th
We are hosting two field trips on Wednesday, May 17th to showcase local food organizations across Greater Vancouver and Squamish areas. Open to all, the standalone cost is $75 plus GST. Conference registration is NOT required. Learn more.
Seeking Volunteers
Special call-out to university students!
Special call-out to university students!
Call out for volunteers to help us make our upcoming conference a success. We need your support in running the registration desk, lunchtime activities, notetaking and the social event. Trade eight hours of work for complimentary registration! Learn more.
Social Networking Event
We welcome conference attendees to join us for a post-conference networking and social event taking place on Day One of the conference, Thursday, May 18th from 4 - 6 pm in the UBC Nest. This event is now included in your conference registration. Learn more.
Program at a Glance
Plan your F2SBC23 conference experience!
We're thrilled to unveil the final program agenda for the "Planting the Seed" F2SBC23 Conference!
Featuring a diverse selection of inspiring presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.
It's time to plan your days and choose your favourite sessions to make the most of this Farm to School BC event!
Meet our Conference MC and Keynote Speakers
We are pleased to introduce our Master of Ceremonies Jesse Veenstra! She will guide us through two days of thought-provoking discussions and engaging workshops.
We are also delighted to announce our lineup of confirmed keynote speakers:
Megan Zeni
Jared Qwustenuxun Williams
Coalition for Healthy School Food
• Carolyn Webb
• Samantha Gambling
• Brent Mansfield
• Carolyn Webb
• Samantha Gambling
• Brent Mansfield
Budding Expectations
Building on the success of the 2019 F2CC National Farm to School Conference, the 2023 Farm to School BC Conference will gather people from across BC to learn, share, and connect with those involved in food literacy and school food initiatives.
This phenomenal event will feature local field trips to inspirational projects, keynote speakers, presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and more!
© 2019 F2CC - Photos provided by Farm to Cafeteria Canada
The AMS Nest, University of British Columbia
© UBC the Nest
The Nest is centrally located at the University of British Columbia, which sits on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
We're thrilled to host the conference in a sustainably designed space that fosters interaction and imagination. It has a LEED+ Platinum certification, the highest in North America and aligns with Farm to School BC's priority for sustainability.
Farm to School BC is consulting a Program Advisory Body (PAB) of recognized school food champions to assist in shaping an innovative conference program.
• Arzeena Hamir
• Sarah van Heeswijk
• Dr. Tammara Soma MCIP RPP
• Jessie Newman
• Megan Zeni
• Natalie Laframboise, RD, MScFN
• Sarah van Heeswijk
• Dr. Tammara Soma MCIP RPP
• Jessie Newman
• Megan Zeni
• Natalie Laframboise, RD, MScFN
Vision, Goals and Values
Vision
To foster and harvest an active and connected community of school food champions to grow skills, advocate for food literacy and nourish the plates and minds of all BC students.
Goals
Celebrate the impact
of established and budding school food initiatives. Commemorate the impact of F2SBC programming and the accomplishments of other food literacy advocates in BC.
Empower and equip educators
with the confidence and skills to provide healthy, local and sustainable food to the plates and minds of all BC students.
Gather, elevate and listen
to the diverse perspectives and varying experiences of the school food community, including Indigenous leaders, educators, youth, chefs and farmers.
Build a strong action-oriented network
to progress food literacy in curriculum, policy needs, and school food education support systems.
Values
Celebrate the growth, innovation and transformation of F2S programs in the face of challenges.
Despite ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that there was considerable growth in school food initiatives, school gardens and passionate educators, and an evolution of Farm to School BC programs.
Promote Healthy, Local, and Sustainable Food.
Engage with local farmers, food producers, chefs, and school food enthusiasts. Embrace the different ways people interact and bond over food. Acknowledge the role food plays in supporting our physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Cultivate professional development through hands-on engagement.
Encourage active participation in storytelling, knowledge translation, roundtable discussions, and local field trips.
Foster deeply-rooted school and community connectedness.
Provide a valuable platform for educators, students, chefs, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, farmers, food system allies and school food advocates to continue networking and sharing post-conference.
Build school food capacity, frameworks and foundations.
Develop systems that boost food literacy, school gardens and other school food initiatives.
