Food /GardeningWorkshops

Village Vancouver is working to see a thriving, vibrant and strong food web within Vancouver. We typically offer about 100 workshops a year throughout Vancouver. Our workshops play a vital role in our Community Food Resilience project. Current locations include Kitsilano, West Point Grey, Trout Lake, Coal Harbour and False Creek Community Centres, various Vancouver Public Library branches, and elsewhere. 

You can register for works at community centres on the Vancouver Recreation Active Communities website or by calling the community centre or in person. Workshops are free or low cost for Seniors (Fifty and above at most community centres, 65 at Kits Community Centre.)

Examples of our popular workshops include:

Grow Your Own Microgreens: In this Village Vancouver workshop with Dr. Yael Stav, you'll learn how to grow your own trays of microgreens at home year-round. We'll look at the difference between sprouts and microgreens, review the many possible seeds that can be used for starting microgreens, and look into troubleshooting common problems. You'll prepare your own microgreen tray to take home! 

Homemade Kombucha Brewing: In this Village Vancouver workshop with Eric Schwartz, we’ll walk you through the key steps, answer your questions, and leave you prepared with basic knowledge and recipes you need to get your first successful batch of Kombucha brewing and tasting great. Plus, participants will enjoy Kombucha tasting at the end of the class, and we'll provide handouts and online resources to support your learning. 

Introduction to Organic Gardening: In this Village Vancouver workshop, you'll cover the basics of planning, preparing and starting a food garden. You'll learn some simple techniques from Rhiannon Johnson, including starting plants indoors and in the garden, tailored to your space. Be rewarded with the taste of freshly grown veggies this season.

Kimchi: In this Village Vancouver workshop with Amy Weeks, participants will learn to make a fresh kimchi that can be enjoyed the next day or stored in the fridge to ferment, including in places that don't have access to a stove or full kitchen.

Balcony, Container and Small Space Gardening: In this Village Vancouver workshop, instructor Rhiannon Johnson will cover the techniques and challenges specific to gardening in small spaces, both indoors and outdoors. We'll look at soil, fertilizing organically, watering, types of containers, different sun orientations and, of course, what to grow in your space.

Growing Tasty Tomatoes: In this Village Vancouver workshop with Rhiannon Johnson, we'll cover different types of tomatoes, starting from seed vs. buying a start, soil, care, and what to expect. To keep your tomatoes healthy, we'll talk about tomato diseases and how to avoid them. You'll learn how and when to harvest the tomatoes and how to ripen the green ones in the fall.

We occasionally offer some free and low cost children’s workshops, for example: 

Kids Playing in Dirt: Bring your 6-9 year old and join Village Vancouver and Rhiannon Johnson in learning about plants by 'playing in the dirt' and planting seedlings into a pot that you take home to watch grow. You'll also get some seeds to take home and grow!

Kids Planting Herbs: Bring your 4-5 year old and join Village Vancouver Westside Neighbourhood Food Network and Rhiannon Johnson in planting a small planter of herbs that you can take home and watch grow larger. Learn what makes plants happy and what makes them grow bigger. Discover the different shapes and smells of herbs! You'll also get some seeds to take home and grow!

We also offer DIY arts/crafts workshops, often on topics related to food. Examples include: 

Cordage and Coiled Baskets: In this Village Vancouver Westside Neighbourhood Food Network workshop with Czarina Lobo, you'll create your own small upcycled mason jar holder using cordage made from scrap fibres. We'll show you how to make rope and then use the rope to hand sew coiled baskets. 

Cardboard Frame Weaving Loom: In this Village Vancouver Westside Neighbourhood Food Network workshop with Czarina Lobo, participants will learn the basics of weaving by creating a colourful bookmark using a simple cardboard loom. You’ll explore various weaving techniques, including twining, tabby, and other basic stitches, while gaining hands- on experience with yarn and pattern design.