West End Food Festival to get Vancouverites learning and talking about food systems

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      While everyone loves to talk about and, of course, eat food, Vancouverites have an opportunity to do both while learning more about local food systems and issues.

      The fourth annual West End Food Festival kicks off today (September 15) at Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton Street) and continues until September 20.

      Several workshops will teach attendees about a wide range of fermented foods and beverages (and the role they play in health) from numerous countries and cultures (including bacteria culture), such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, kimchi, and filmjölk (Swedish yogurt).

      You can help to protect Vancouver's food supply by learning how to recognize invasive species while assisting the planting of a garden at Gordon Neighbourhood House. You can also learn about how to identify which plants you can eat, and which plants have medicinal properties.

      For more on working in the garden, there's a family urban gardening session, talks about seeds, and an interactive workshop about growing herbs.

      Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy great food, including a Jigg's dinner featuring Newfoundland cuisine; a three-course, plant-based, sustainable dinner; a soup competition featuring entries from West End restaurants and organizations; and a pop-up potluck.

      On Friday (September 16), you can even kick it old school at the '90s hip-hop party Brews 'n' Chews 3, with DJ Teyshan, craft beer from Steamworks, and doughnuts from Cartems Donuterie.

      Needless to say, there's plenty going on and the majority of the events are free. To check it all out, visit the Gordon Neighbourhood House website.

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