York Region Food Network
350 Industrial Pkwy S L4G 3V7 Aurora, ON, Canada

Over the last several months most households have been cooking more at home, taking fewer trips to the grocery store and buying more food per trip. Out of necessity, planning what to buy, cook, and eat has become a central part of our everyday lives. Did you know that meal planning can reduce your food waste, help you save on your grocery bill and lessen your environmental impact? Reduce your household’s food waste. Take the Good Food Challenge and don’t let food go to wa...ste! Over the course of 4 weeks make simple changes to your routine that can save money, time, food and the environment! The challenge runs February 1 to 28, 2021. Weekly prizes to be won with a Grand Prize valued at $250! Sign up today! http://ow.ly/WCiC50D5QBK

The Charitable Chef event on January 28 celebrates the winter full moon with a 3 course Finnish menu. In this virtual cook along Marjo Niemi will lead us through the preparation of some family favourites, enjoyed from your own home. Maybe the Finnish secret to enjoying winter is found in the kitchen? Menu details below: Creamy Vegetable Soup with a Niemi Family Farm Sourdough Bun... _____ Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Cucumber Salad * vegetarian option available _____ Finnish Berry Dessert _____ Your $100 ticket includes the ingredients required for a dinner for 2. The funds raised help support York Region Food Network food security initiatives. Learn while giving back! REGISTRATION through link in bio (Charitable Chef). #virtuallearning #stayhome #wintercooking #Finland

York Region Food Network is pleased to present Charitable Gaming. Community Good. This new brand name and logo represents the good works in part, that happen locally as a result of our participation in Charitable Gaming through Bingo World and Gaming Newmarket.

Join us for the Global Gourmet cook-along where we will prepare a veggie burger (twist on the Black Bean Plantain Burger) found in our featured cookbook this month, Provisions the roots of Caribbean cooking written by Michelle & Suzanne Rousseau. This dish is savoury, satisfying and showcases beautiful Caribbean ingredients in a creative way. Register now at: http://ow.ly/4qdu50D5qPM

Tired of eating bland leftovers? Try something new. Get creative and spruce things up! Create an inspired meal, using yesterday's dinner and share your creation with us for a chance to win one of four $50 grocery cards and the grand prize of a $250 grocery card! Just share with us a pic of the leftover(s) used, and a pic of the meal created from it, tag us and use #loveyourleftovercontest. Tag a friend in your post for more chances to win! York Region (The Regional Municipality of York)

Last chance to place your order for January 20th's Good Food Box! Good Food Boxes offer fresh, quality vegetables and fruit that are a convenient and affordable way to eat healthy and local. York Region Food Network works with local suppliers and farmers to purchase good quality produce at wholesale pricing and then pass that price along to you ($16). ... Order your #GoodFoodBox for January 20th's contactless pick-up from Aurora, Ontario or Markham, Ontario today at: https://yrfn.ca/pro/good-food-box/order-your-good-food-box/

Good Food Boxes are ready for pick up TODAY (Nov 18th) from York Region Food Network 350 Industrial Parkway S. Aurora, Ontario between 12-6pm and in Markham, Ontario at Ebenezer United Church 5000 Steeles Ave E. between 12:30- 2:00pm. Today’s local Good Food Box includes: carrots, onions, apples, cauliflower, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and kale! ($16) To place your order for the next Good Food Box (December 3rd), go to: https://yrfn.ca/.../good-food-box/order-your-good-food-...box/ To gift a box click here: http://ow.ly/IOIz50BVI8v See more

Did you know that Finland is routinely voted the world's happiest country? Maybe it's the food?! Join us on January 28 as Marjo Niemi from Niemi Family Farm guides us through a 3 course Finnish meal, prepared from your own home. Menu details below: Creamy Vegetable Soup with a Niemi Family Farms Sourdough Bun... _____ Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Cucumber Salad * vegetarian option available _____ Finnish Berry Dessert _____ Your $100 ticket includes the ingredients required for a dinner for 2. The funds raised help support York Region Food Network food security initiatives. Learn while giving back! REGISTRATION - http://ow.ly/PRoi50D1WDG #virtuallearning #stayhome #wintercooking #Finland

Join us this afternoon (1pm EST) for a fall Site Tour of the Victoria Compost Education Centre as Kayla will share with us different composting styles, sustainable practices in the garden and chat soil health! Register now at: http://ow.ly/dO4d50CpmOG

Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) - Mental Health Strategy Community Engagement Survey If you are a York Region resident and a Black stu...dent and/or member of the Black community, please complete our online survey. The data will be used to inform NACCA’s mental health strategy. The survey will take approximately 2mins to complete and will remain open until Sunday, November 22nd at 6PM. Participants will have an option to be entered into a draw for one of two $25 UberEats gift cards. Thank you for your participation. Complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/nJDm9w1xjXHHPjUq6

York Region Food Network continues to cook up a storm in the kitchen each week with takeaway breakfasts, virtual cook-alongs, bake-alongs and preserving the season. Big thanks to Bingo World and Gaming Newmarket for their ongoing support in helping us deliver community food programs!

There are so many ways to create a delicious soup stock from #leftovers. At YRFN we often freeze ends of carrots, celery, parsnips, left over bits of onion and once the bag is full, we’ll whip up a tasty soup stock! Jess (our garden coordinator) shared with us her latest soup creations. Day one she used leftover bones from their roasted chicken dinner to create a hearty soup stock (which was great for lunch the next day). Then the following night they refreshed that same st...ock by adding potatoes and butternut squash. So she used the leftover stock to recreate another delicious meal! How do you use your leftovers to make soup? Share with us in the #LoveYourLeftoversContest for a chance to win grocery gift cards to a store of your choice! Details at: https://yrfn.ca/event/loveyourleftoverscontest/ York Region (The Regional Municipality of York)

Make sure to get those #loveyourleftoverscontest entries in! Next week Monday, Nov 23rd, Wednesday, Nov 25th and Friday, Nov 27th we will be drawing three out of the five giveaways! Each submission made gives you three ballots to win one of four $50 grocery cards to a store of your choice! All you have to do is share with us a picture of your leftover item and a picture of the new meal you create from it! Tag us and use #loveyourleftoverscontest. If you Tag a friend and fo...llow us, you will get one extra ballot entry! Contest runs until Nov 30th. Grand prize draw (Dec 1st) is for a $250 grocery card to store of your choice. For more info visit: https://yrfn.ca/event/loveyourleftoverscontest/ York Region (The Regional Municipality of York)

If you're between the ages of 18-30 living, working, studying, or with roots in York Region are passionate about food issues, and social and environmental justice, keen to share your experience and ideas while contributing to advocacy, education and policy processes to address local food and justice issues... Join our Youth Food Committee! Apply by Nov 16 at https://airtable.com/shru1ZIZbBbKO5H39

Got leftover vegetables or veggies at the end of their shelf life in your fridge that need using up? Tryout this awesome egg dish that can be eaten morning, noon or night! Shakshuka. Sautee up some onions, add your chopped up vegetables until warm (peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, whatever you have on hand), add seasoning, then tomato sauce or salsa to your frying pan, once sauce is heated through, make nests (holes with your spoon in the sauce), crack your eggs into the holes, cover frying pan until eggs are cooked to your liking and serve with toast or potatoes! Fancy it up by adding some avocado or your favorite cheese. This dish is SO versatile and delicious! Try it out and enter the #LoveYourLeftoversContest. For more info: https://yrfn.ca/event/loveyourleftoverscontest/

Crispy, flavourful, juicy, a staple in most cuisines of the world... There are so many ways to enjoy Fried chicken! Join our discussion around different preparations of fried chicken this Wednesday November 25th in our last virtual Lunch Table of the year! Register now at: http://ow.ly/7edW50Cshli

In case you missed our application deadline for the Youth Food Committee this week, please contact Morgan at [email protected] to still get involved. For more information about the Youth Food Committee please visit the Volunteer section of our website: https://yrfn.ca/get-involved/volunteer/

So many of you have asked to gift Good Food Boxes to others in the community... so, we've set up an initiative to allow just that! 'Gift a Box' gives you the opportunity to purchase Good Food Boxes for members of the community facing heightened food insecurity. Far too many households in York Region are struggling with inadequate food access. 'Gift a Box' helps to get healthy, fresh produce onto tables across York Region. To gift a Good Food Box go to: http://ow.ly/TVA650zZWHj

COVID-19 has sparked conversations across the nation about Basic Income, after government programs such as the CERB (Canadian Emergency Response Benefit), modified Employment Insurance, and CRB (Canadian Recovery Benefit). Chloe Halpenny from the Basic Income Canada Network (Youth) spoke during our #HungryforIncome Brunch & Learn, highlighting the complimentary nature of Basic Income and Livable Minimum Wages: These are two strugglers that really need to go hand-in-hand Ba...sic income recognizes that full-time regular work in the formal labour market is not going to be accessible or liberating to everybody. Also there are lots of forms of unpaid labor, I’m thinking of volunteering, care work, creative endeavours that a basic income would help recognize. Watch the full #HungryforIncome Brunch & Learn to learn more about the impact of #income on #livelihoods and what you can do here: https://youtu.be/rgoLLH0hnBw

What’s happening this week at YRFN? #Breakfast, #GoodFoodBox Pick Up, The #CharitableChef #Fundraiser Cook-along, Cooking for the Self #workshop (2nd of 6 in series). Learn more at: yrfn.ca/events/

Garlic is an indispensable addition to your kitchen pantry staples and medicine chest. It adds depth of flavour and richness to almost any dish. It is also well known throughout many cultures for its antibacterial, antimicrobial properties. Join YRFN for this virtual cook-along workshop, where we will prepare Roasted Garlic, Garlic Confit, Garlic Aioli, and Garlic Broth. * Some ingredients for the cook-a-long will be provided by YRFN... Register now at: http://ow.ly/8us650ClMdV

We would like to invite you to a webinar " Food stories" hosted by the students of the Seneca college program Mental Health Intervention, this Wednesday, November 12 @ 4pm. This campaign is being held in collaboration with York Region Food Network, where our quest speakers Jeff Wah Kan and Carolynne Carwley will speak on the growing food insecurity in Canada and how it relates to mental health. Please join us to learn more about what we can do as a community to bring awareness. Register today: http://ow.ly/fpkk50ChNNL

Our annual soup fundraiser supporting #UnitedWay is on now! Order your delicious Moroccan Spiced Vegetarian Soup today. 1 litre jars for $12. To place your order go to: https://yrfnuwsoup.eventbrite.ca Pick up dates: Tuesday November 17th between 9-5pm and Wednesday the 18th between 9am-6pm at YRFN, 350 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario .... Thank you in advance for your support!

Another jam-packed week at York Region Food Network! For more info about the #LoveYourLeftoversContest , our programs and events visit our online Events Calendar at: https://yrfn.ca/events/

Good Food Box order deadline (TODAY Nov 11th)! Last chance to order your Good Food Box for November 18th's (contactless) Pick-Up! Order now at: https://yrfn.ca/pro/good-food-box/order-your-good-food-box/ Good Food Boxes offer fresh, high-quality vegetables and fruit that are a convenient and affordable way to eat healthy, local food. Open to everyone. YRFN works with local suppliers and farmers to purchase good quality fresh produce at a wholesale price and then we pass the... wholesale price along to you ($16). Pick Up Locations available in Aurora and Markham.

World Food Day 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in an exceptional moment as countries around the world deal with the widespread effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In a moment like this, it is more important than ever to recognize the need to support our food heroes farmers and workers throughout the food system who are making sure that food makes its way from farm to fork even amid disruptions as unprecedented as the current COVID19 crisis. Make #WorldFoodDay your day. Learn more at http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/en/

Fall raspberries, a tart and sweet seasonal treat. Typically raspberries make their appearance in spring, but double check your raspberry bushes for a second fall harvest. You might be surprised! Stay tuned for more garden updates, harvest, and tips

YRFN is always looking for ways to repurpose things, working to reduce waste. One of our favourite things to repurpose is FOOD; Using our leftovers to create inspired new dishes. Feeling Inspired to create your own new meal with leftovers? Enter the #LoveYourLeftoversContest. It's simple. Post a pic of the leftover(s) you are using and a pic of the inspired dish made from them. Tag us York Region Food Network and use #loveyourleftoverscontest for a chance to win one of four $50 grocery cards and the grand prize of a $250 grocery card to the store of your choice! For more info, visit: https://yrfn.ca/event/loveyourleftoverscontest/ *By entering this contest, you agree to have read and consent to the Contest Rules and Regulations York Region (The Regional Municipality of York)

Nearly every cuisine has a trio of foundational ingredients that when cooked together form a flavour base. They are usually cooked together at the start of a dish, in some kind of fat, so that the flavours released become the signature flavour for soups, stews, and so much more. Join the discussion at our YRFN Lunch Table about what that looks like in your culture. When: Wednesday, Nov 18th Topic: The Roots of a Dish Where: Online, ZOOM... Time: 11 AM 12 PM Register here: http://ow.ly/sPJI50Cl2uH

Winter Composting workshop on TODAY! Join us this afternoon at 1:00PM EST to learn about vermicomposting with Cathy from Cathy's Crawly Composters! Register now: http://ow.ly/intY50Cg0JH

In keeping with our region’s social distancing mandate, we are celebrating Halloween a little differently this year... Have some Halloween fun at home with our free Spooky Cookie Kits! The kits will provide you with all the materials needed to bake and decorate your goodies. *Limited quantity available. One kit per household.... In the spirit of this day, we invite you to dress up when picking up your kit and while baking your cookies! Register for your kit here: https://halloweenbaking.eventbrite.ca

Need a little pick me up? Pop over and grab a free take-out breakfast today and every Tuesday from 9:30AM-10:30AM at York Region Food Network, 350 Industrial Parkway South. Happy Tuesday!

COVID-19 has exposed many pre-existing challenges and inequities in our food system, and disproportionately impacted BIPOC communities and migrant agricultural workers across Canada. Join the conversation with "Centering Justice in Canada's Food System" hosted by the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems on #worldfoodday! RSVP through link below: https://adc.wlu.ca/activedata/EventList.aspx

Looking forward to participating in this series hosted by Food Secure Canada; CULTIVATING CHANGE! Cultivating Change will showcase the work of Indigenous, Black and racialized food leaders, and build consciousness and capacity for anti-racist and decolonized approaches and allyship within the food movement. Check it out!

Last chance to order your Good Food Box for the October 21st contactless pick up in Aurora and Markham! https://yrfn.ca/.../good-food-box/order-your-good-food-box/ (order deadline TODAY Oct 14).

Income security = government action. Peter Clutterbuck emphasizes the need for governments to fortify and expand public services to reduce living costs (such as child care or affordable housing). He also dives into an approach called Pro-Employment Strategies, where our governments guarantee jobs that pay a living wage. Watch the full #HungryforIncome Brunch & Learn to learn more about the impact of #income on #livelihoods and what you can do: https://youtu.be/rgoLLH0hnBw

Looking for new fall meal ideas? Check out this exciting cook-along experience ! Join chef John Cosentino from Food In Motion, via Zoom and prepare a delicious 3-course dinner with the ingredient kit provided! This fundraiser supports York Region Food Network's community programs and services. For more information and to register, visit: https://charitablechef.eventbrite.ca

This week at YRFN...

On #WorldFoodDay, Friday, October 16th, join Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) AND United Nations for a virtual event! If you are a youth (ages 5-19) you have a chance to show off your artistic skills with a poster contest! Learn more at the link below:... http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/home/en/ See more

Did you know that Black households are 3.5 times more likely to be food insecure than White households? In Canada, 36.6 per cent of Black children are food inse...cure compared to 12.4 per cent of White children. Homeownership does not make a difference as White renters and Black homeowners have the same risk of household food insecurity. (See facts sheet) Our friends at the York Region Food Network reached out about an opportunity for youth in our community. According to YRFN, youth leadership can change the way we grow, produce and consume food. We want a community where health and social justice are prioritized and all residents have economic and physical access to healthy, local, culturally acceptable and environmentally sustainable food. We believe youth are vital in making this happen. That's why we are forming a Youth Food Committee where youth can come together to discuss and act on food issues in York Region. Benefits of joining the Youth Food Committee: Youth will have the opportunity to: * Learn about food issues in York Region and develop leadership skills * Connect with other engaged youth and leaders in York Region * Pitch, contribute and/or lead food policy, advocacy and/or education initiatives. Join the Committee! Register here https://airtable.com/shru1ZIZbBbKO5H39

Find yourself on uncertain grounds? Need a little pick-me-up? Drop by York Region Food Network Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-10:30am and grab a free take-out #breakfast. Menu generally includes: Eggwich (with or without bacon), Baked Goods, Oatmeal, Fruit, Soup, Salad and snack items. 350 Industrial Parkway South.

Looking for a fun interactive learning activity for the kids while their home? Compost with worms! Join Cathy from Cathy's Crawly Composters on Tuesday Nov. 10th at 1pm for a fun and comprehensive demonstration showing all the basics of vermicomposting: -Set-up... -Feeding your worm bin -The harvest -Maintenance -Worm biology Register now at: http://ow.ly/e4Hr50BH9QO

"The impacts of food insecurity go beyond a lack of food. Food insecurity makes people sick, breaks down relationships, makes it harder to get stable work, and to fully participate in society. Follow this link to read Community Food Centres Canada's Beyond Hunger- The Hidden Impacts of Food Insecurity that highlights how food insecurity impacts every facet of livelihoods. Then take action by calling or emailing your MP using their template. #MissionMonday http://ow.ly/8QwR50BKehy

A short week, that's chock-full... To learn more about our programs and register for our events and workshops, visit YRFN’s events calendar at: https://yrfn.ca/events/

Chef Maxine Knight takes us on a cultural journey through the series Food Stories. In this episode Chef Maxine demonstrates how to cook soup and then talks to Jerisha Grant-Hall of Nacca Newmarket. Both Maxine and Jerisha share their food stories and some of the history of African Caribbean cuisine. Here’s a clip. To watch the full episode and all past episodes of Food Stories, check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/w5yaV8UFOY8

Got questions about Compost Tea? Want to learn how to make your own bubbler? Join us Tuesday October 13th at 1PM for a virtual workshop with Sean Smith from Crooked Farmz. Pose your questions in the event page and we'll make sure to pass them on to Sean to answer during the workshop! Registration link: https://ceccomposttea.eventbrite.ca