Rae Kokeš
Special to Coast Mountain News
The Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance is celebrating 20 years of working to support a resilient, self-reliant food system for the Bella Coola Valley community.
Every year food security and sovereignty become ever-more important, and each year the BCFA has been dedicated to ensuring our current and future generations have access to healthy and nourishing food through community connections, local capacity, and innovation to grow, harvest, process and store food resources.
To celebrate 20 years of local action the BCFA is hosting a series of events throughout the year. Along with the seasonal, weekly Farmer’s Market, starting on Father’s Day (16th June) at Lobelco Hall, BCFA wishes to invite everyone and anyone to the following events:
Saturday, Apil 20 - Film Night showing Seed the Untold Story. Doors open at 7 p.m., film at 7:30 p.m. at 852 Mackay Street, Bella Coola, Nuslhixwta Cedar Building, $5 admission, BCFA members free.
Saturday, April 27 - Plant Swap & Sale @ Lobelco Hall parking lot, 11am - 1pm. A free event for anyone who is in need of more greenery, or has too much to handle! If you have too many seedlings, or not enough, come and see what other community growers have to offer or need.
Wednesday July 24 - Night Market @ Coop parking lot, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. For one night only, to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re bringing back the Night Market! We are going to resurrect this joyous market with local produce and foods, live music and tons of fun!
Saturday, Aug. 24 - Edible Garden Tour back by popular demand! Join us on a provided bus to local farms and gardens, then gather around the long table and celebrate local food with a communal feast. Find, like and follow us on Facebook (@bellacoolashed) for bus meeting and feast venue details nearer the date.
Saturday, Oct. 12 - Barn Dance Fundraiser at the Quonset Hut, 7 p.m. To finish off our 20th anniversary celebrations we’re holding a Barn Dance, featuring local rockstars AKA! Enjoy rocking, live music alongside a silent auction, appies and refreshments. Find, like and follow us on Facebook (@bellacoolashed) for ticket information nearer the date.
Film nights @ Nuslhiixwta Cedar Building. Find, like and follow us on Facebook (@bellacoolafoodshed) for information on our film nights where we’ll be sharing inspiring food security films / documentaries.
Also be sure to visit our Farmer’s Market each Sunday starting Father’s Day and say hello at our table where we will have limited edition BCFA 20th Anniversary swag up for grabs!
Rae Kokeš, is the executive director of the Bella Coola Foodshed Alliance.