Back in Business
I blogged about it over a week ago, and now the event is nearly upon us.
The eventAn outdoor public food event in support of the movement to Stop The Mega Quarry, in the country, 2 hours north of Toronto.
The Hills of the the Headwaters are being threatened by a proposed limestone quarry, 2,300 acres in size, on prime, fertile agricultural land. It will destroy valuable farmland, jeopardize fresh water, dig into pristine aquifers and potentially devastate the environment.
The Highland Companies, backed by a multi-billion-dollar Boston hedge fund, has purchased over 7,000 acres of the richest farm land in Ontario.
Initially, Highland claimed that its interest was potato farming, which has been the backbone of the local economy for well over 100 years.
Recently Highland filed an application with the Minister of Natural Resources to excavate the largest quarry ever proposed in Canada, the second largest open pit mine in North America. Highlands plans to blast a pit deeper than Niagara Falls, spanning 2,316 acres (initially) to extract millions of tons of limestone. This will effect land between Orangeville and Collingwood.
Watch this video of chef Michael Stadtländer’s visit to the Hills of the the Headwaters where he spoke to local residents about the implications of this project:
Foodstock is a celebration to highlight the importance of preserving farmland and sustainable local food. It’s being organized by chef Michael Stadtländer and Canadian Chefs’ Congress. Stadtländer is owner of internationally renowned Eigensinn Farm and Haisai Restaurant.
20,000 people are expected at this event.
All funds raised will go to fighting the mega quarry application. It’s great to just show up and show your support but if you can donate money, please do so.
Buy your tickets here or donate at the event.
Foodstock will feature 80 top chefs from across Canada making gourmet dishes for all to sample. Each chef will prepare one item, celebrating the local bounty and encouraging Ontarians to stand up and have their voice heard by the government.
Toronto chefs include Jamie Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy Kitchens), Rodney Bowers (Hey Meatball), Lora Kirk (Ruby Watchco), Brad Long (Veritas, Belong Café), Anthony Rose (Drake Hotel), Patrick McMurray (Starfish, Ceili Cottage), Joshna Maharaj and more!
Also present will be chefs from Collingwood, Barrie, Niagara, Ottawa and many more places across Ontario, as well as chefs from out of province with representation from Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
(I think my strategy is going to have to be to sample food from out of province chefs first, then out of Toronto, then my favourites.)
See Full list of participating chefs & establishments.
Live performances on the main stage by Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, Sarah Harmer, Ron Sexsmith and other Canadian musicians with acoustic performances throughout the site.
Speeches by Stadtländer and by Dr. Faisal Moola of David Suzuki Foundation
Foodstock is located in Honeywood ON, 10 Minutes North of Shelburne on Hwy 124. I hear that if you’re driving the best bet is to head north on Highway 124 from Shelburne.
Can’t make it to Foodstock? Sign the petition to stop the mega quarry, which has over 4500 signatures.
Read what others have said about the event–
Also, don’t forget to check out Eat to the Beat on Tuesday, a fundraiser for Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada.
