Foraging in the wild for food may have been a daily routine for Katniss Everdeen, (the lead character in the popular teen novel-turned-movie, The Hunger Games), but its hardly a typical pastime in Richmond.
Resident locavores aim to change that.
The Edible Wild course is geared towards beginners and covers commonly found weeds that are in the garden, said Ian Lai, a trained chef and founder of the Richmond Schoolyard Society.
We will talk about the philosophy of foraging, how to, where, with whom, resources and equipment, then go for a walk and pick wilds to make a quick snack afterwards, added the proponent of locally grown food.
Participants will learn which weeds are healthy and how to incorporate edible wilds into ones diet.
The course is one of three that will be offered throughout October that focus on food and sustainability.
All courses are part of the citys pesticide bylaw management policy to ensure that residents look at a more sustainable and suitable solution to weed management and organic gardening.
Lai said there are many weeds nasturtiums, calendula, purslane, nettles, clover, dandelion, pineapple weed, chickweed, and thistles that add colour and flavour to salads, soups and other dishes.
I think these courses are important because it makes us aware that what grows around us could be utilized for health benefits, said Lai. We need to make local fresh food choices and move away from highly processed products.
My goal is to inspire people to pick up a knife and cook for themselves and their loved ones with ingredients that are seasonal, fresh, local, home-grown.
During the Organic Winter Vegetable Gardening workshop, Lai will discuss what to plant as the weather gets cooler, such as garlic, beetroot, carrots, and peas.
I will also be preparing food samples with what is currently in the fields and talk about cool weather meals, he added.
The Edible Wild and Organic Winter Vegetable workshops are two hours and will be held Sat. Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Both are available for ages 13 and up.
Harvesting Compost runs on Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (for ages 16 and over). All three workshops are located at the Terra Nova Rural Park, 2631 Westminster Hwy. These workshops are free, but require registration. To register, quote #255351 for Edible Wild, #255352 for Organic Winter Vegetable Gardening, and #258607 for Harvesting Compost. You can register online at www.richmond.ca/register or by calling the registration centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 604-276-4300 (press 2 at the prompt). For more information, visit www.richmond.ca/news/city/octoberenvirosustainabilityworkshops.htm.
