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Good Food Box Newsletter – July 2, 2025

by | Jul 7, 2025 | news | 0 comments

What's in the bags?

BC Only: BC New White Nugget potatoes, Michell’s *cauliflower & Green Leaf lettuce, South Island Farm Hub *org. zucchini, North Star Organics *cucumber & eggplant, BC Island West raspberries
Cultural: BC New White Nugget potatoes, Gatton Farm *org. cabbage, MIchell’s *cauliflower & Green Leaf lettuce, South Island Farm Hub *org zucchini,
org bananas, Farm Folk *org. collard greens, cilantro, Littlest Acre *org. green onions, North Star Organics *parsley, org. peaches
Staples: Littlest Acre  *org. carrots, South Island Farm Hub *org. zucchini, BC New White Nugget potatoes, org. bananas, org peaches, Island West strawberries, Michell’s cauliflower
Standard Plus: Littlest Acre *org. carrots, Gatton Farm *org. cabbage, Michell’s *cauliflower & Green Leaf lettuce, North Star Organics *eggplant & salad turnips, Farm Folk *org. collard greens & *cilantro, Islands West strawberries, South Island Farm Hub *org. zucchini
Standard: Littlest Acre *org. carrots, Michell’s cabbage & Green Leaf lettuce, South Island Farm Hub *org. zucchini, North Star Organics short cucumber, org. banana, Islands West strawberries
 Sustainable: Gatton Farm *org. cabbage, South Island Farm Hub *org. zucchini, org. bananas, North Star Organics *cucumber, *parsley & *salad turnips, Littlest Acre *org. green onions, Farm Folk *org. collard greens, org. peaches, Mason St. Farm *org. lettuce mix
Fruit: BC Island West raspberries & strawberries, org. bananas, org. peaches

Wet Weather Reminder

Don’t forget to bring along your reusable grocery bags or totes to avoid the soggy demise of our paper bags if you’ll be hitting the elements on the way home. Even just getting to the car during this soggy season could be lethal for your produce — we want it to make it all the way home — not playing a game of 10 pin on the sidewalk!

It’s peak growing season here in BC, and we’re bringing the farm to your kitchen table.
Enjoy the abundance of summer produce with our sizzling hot offer ~ sign up for ten weeks through the summer & get your first bag FREE!
Every purchase supports local farmers and helps our nonprofit get more delicious, nutritious food to community members who need it.
Get in on the abundance!
🥦 10 Weeks of fresh fruit & veg
🍅 First box FREE
🌽 Supports your local farmers & non-profit organization
🌶️ Builds a stronger community
Fresh food. Real impact.
Order today through this link! Our Summer Abundance Deal will run until the end of July, 2025.

Feature Farmers

Farm Folk City Folk - Victoria

This week Farm Folk City Folk Victoria are providing collard greens to many of our bags this week. Their a group who strive to connect, collaborate and engage to foster resilient, sustainable, equitable food systems in BC. You might have attended one of their events like Feast of Fields. They’re doing great work in our growing community.
Thanks to Lisa from @farmfolkcityfolk for bringing us Collard Greens for the Cultural Bags! She’s growing these amongst other culturally significant crops @sandowncentre ~ these seeds came from @heirloomcollards!
“The Heirloom Collard project is working for the recognition and respect of collards as a key component of American food culture so their seeds & stories will never be forgotten.”
Thanks to all the seed growers & savers who are dedicated to continuing to grow & share important seeds that connect us to culture, ancestry & food history.

Grilled BBQ Salmon & Veggie Collard Green Wraps

This recipe offers a delicious alternative to typical wraps and breads to gather your salmon and veggies up in your hand to enjoy. This recipe doesn’t suggest that you briefly blanch the collard but if you find it too chewing for your liking, this is a quick way to address the chewiness. You can prep the blanch collards in advance and store between parchment paper, with stems trimmed in the fridge until you’re ready to roll up your wraps.
Find the recipe here.
For a vegetarian option, try this Hummus Collard Wrap: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/hummus-collard-wraps/

North Star Organics

North Star Organics are providing most of our bags with eggplants this week from their 10 acre certified organic farm, where they grow a huge variety of vegetables and berries in their green houses and fields in Central Saanich.

Garlic & Herb Grilled Eggplant

Don’t know what to do with eggplant? Fire up the BBQ. Every Last Bite’s Garlic & Herb Gilled Eggplant will become a summer hit, full of flavour and can be prepped ahead of time. The trick to cooking eggplant on the BBQ is not to use too much oil to avoid a slimy texture and cut them thin enough that you avoid a thicker chunky texture. It might seem a little bit like trial and error, Goldilocks style but follow the directions closely in this regard and enjoy! This is a great side dish for those guests following the Keto, Whole 30, vegan, or Paleo diets.
Every Last Bite recommends serving this recipe in a variety of ways:
  • served as a warm side dish
  • served cold in an antipasti platter or added chopped up into a salad.
  • with bruschetta topped with pesto, prosciutto or other fave bruschetta toppings
  • Or use two slices as “buns” for burgers. They recommend this with their Greek Lamb burgers. Find them here.

Best Grilled Zucchini

Lock your cars, it’s zucchini season! Pop these Littlest Acre zucchini’s on the BBQ for a few minutes and enjoy. Got left overs? Chop it up and add it into tomato sauce for pasta or pizzas, add it to a rice salad with other roasted veggies or steamed corn and pasta salad. It’s delicious added to roasted veg and soup broth, add a can of beans for a hearty soup to save for the fall or a chance cold day over the summer that will help you warm up. Find the Delish.com recipe here.

31 ways to use up parsley by the Kitchn.

A summer favourite is traditional tabbouleh or for a twist, Orzo Tabbouleh. If you’re picnicking with a new crush or someone you want to impress – pack the floss, cause parsley has a way of getting stuck between our teeth with great ease. Don’t skip this herb because of it’s toothy attraction – it’s a great source of vitamin A, C, K, essential minerals like folate, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants that help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers and many more delicious benefits.

Find those recipes here.

This isn’t Good Food Box related but it’s definitely worth a highlight. FED Urband AGhas teamed up with @bigwheelburger on something extra tasty — burgers with purpose!

🍔 In May alone, BWB sold 1,652 Green Goddess Burgers (featuring our farm-fresh arugula!), raising $3,304 to help provide fresh produce to families in Vic West through our CSA program.
👉 To put it in perspective, that’s a full season of fresh produce for 3 families in need!
🌶️ What’s up for June? The Spicy Hawaiian Burger! Treat your taste buds and know that every bite helps increase food security in our community.
We’re so grateful to collaborate with Big Wheel Burger, who share our mission of making good, nourishing food accessible to all! 💚

19 Ways to Use--Not Waste --Strawberry Tops & Hulls

Did you know you can eat the entire strawberry, leaves and all. The leaves make a great tea addition to your larder but there are so many more ways to use the strawberry and all it’s parts, saving you both waste and money. The tops aren’t just edible but also have a number of health benefits – a terrific antioxidant, full of vitamin C and they potentially may even reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. Find the many recipes here.

Get Growing

Sumer Camp in the Dirt

We are looking forward to Life in the Dirt! A Parent and Child Nature Program at 1216 North Park st. on July 12. Join CEC staff for two of our most popular workshops: Wrigglers and Work and Spectacular seeds. You and your little one will learn about worms and wonderful role as composting powerhouses, then become a nature scientist and study, plant, and dissect seeds. This workshop is geared towards children 3-7, but the whole family is welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn more and register at www.compost.bc.ca/kids-camps/🪱🤓 

See less
— at Victoria Compost Education Centre.

It’s market season! We are currently accepting applications for the BC Farmers Market Coupons until July 4th. Please email communityprograms@fernwoodnrg.ca to receive the application package.

Come learn about the Ross Bay Native Plant Garden, and celebrate our awesome garden volunteers from both the Fairfield Food Forest & The Ross Bay Native Plant Garden! Pop by and learn how you can get involved.
  • Everyone welcome! Refreshments provided.

    Learn more here.

Summer is HERE!
The Orchard, Tea garden, and Commons in Vic West are full of trees bursting with baby fruit [well, the goumis are ahead of the curve and already ripe!]
We need YOUR help keeping them tidy to ensure maximum yields for us all.
If you have an hour or two and want to come and help out, check out our Summer Sessions, which are now all loaded.
Did I mention a good portion of the summer shifts involve harvesting and eating the various fruit and berries we are growing?! [*Pro Tip* wear an old tee-shirt you don’t mind getting splattered with mulberry juice ;)]
SIGN UP HERE —–> https://signup.com/go/dTbyWHE
Come join in the fun! Then pop to @sSpiral Cafe for a ice cold bevvie or go for a dip in the Gorge.. or both 😉
  • This just in: You’re invited to the part(ies) of the season! 💌 🌱

    Help your community bloom by joining us at the Oswald Park Community Garden for our work parties, happening every second weekend of the month.

    Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, there’s a task in the garden for you! 🌼 Refreshments are provided.

    Reach out to Rylee, our Garden Coordinator at garden@oaklandsca.com to learn more and get involved.
    More info here. Art by @sheenarae_designs
🍏 Ready to pick some fruit this season? Sign up for a volunteer orientation in JULY! ✨
If you’re new to the Fruit Tree Project or haven’t joined at least 3 picks in the past 2 years, you’ll need to attend a General Orientation.
🍇 Want to get more involved? Become a Harvest Leader or Tree Assessor!
🌟 5 Perks of Being a Harvest Leader:
🍎 Choose your own schedule!
🍎 Add your friends to your picks!
🍎 Pick the fruit you want to eat!
🍎 Harvest where you’d like, close to home or further afield.
🍎 Help us facilitate more picks and feed your community!
👉Sign up for orientations now on our Gleaning Hub: https://gleaning.lifecyclesproject.ca/
🌱 We’re busy working on getting the Victoria Seed Library back up and running — and we need your help!
We’re hosting seed sorting volunteer shifts throughout July, and we’d love for you to join us. It’s a fun, hands-on way to connect with others passionate about local food systems and to support long-term food and seed resilience in our region!
📍 Shifts take place at the Lifecycles office (#A – 808 Viewfield Rd) and are open to all abilities.
📝 Sign-up is required.
👉 Sign up for shifts on our Gleaning Hub: https://gleaning.lifecyclesproject.ca/index.php

Connecting in Community

Walking Wednesdays — Come and meet up for a walk  and stay for a light lunch if you’d like. Meet at 11am outside 511 Constance.

New free youth Basketball program, starting this Friday!
Youth ages 11-14 can come and enjoy three sessions of Friday Hoops, a free Friday night pick up basketball facilitated by our fantastic volunteer from the Camosun Basketball program. Wear shoes with non-marking soles and bring a basketball if you have one!
Join us from 7pm – 8pm in the Oaklands Elementary School Gym on June 6, 13, and 20
To register, visit oca.recdesk.com or call (250) 370-9101 ext.1. Drop-ins welcome!
Plus Size Clothing Swap Organized by Selkie Counselling with support from Fat Sisters Vintage, Oaklands is thrilled to be hosting another Plus Sized Clothing Swap!
📅 Saturday, July 12th
🕚 11am – 1pm
📍 Oaklands Community Centre, 1-2827 Belmont Ave
Donations of gently used 1X – 6X+ clothing can be dropped off throughout the event or on Friday, July 11th from 6-7:30pm at Oaklands.
We will have snacks and door prizes from amazing local makers!
Clothing requirements:
Size 1X and larger in good condition, Clean, no pet hair, low odor, No underwear but good condition bras and binders welcome, No shoes, No accessories, except plus-size belts, Limit 1 large garbage bag per person (donating and taking).
Transportation and venue info:
There is street parking on nearby streets
The community centre is on the number 4 bus route. It is a three block walk from the bus stop on Hillside at Belmont, with a slight incline
The venue is accessible by wheelchair and other mobility aids. The room is on the main floor
There is an automatic door button on the main door, and it is a flat surface from outside to inside the room, no ramps or inclines
There are 2 all-gender, wheelchair accessible, single-stall washrooms available in the room

Sensory & other accessibility info:
Please do not come if you are sick!
We will have masks and hand sanitizer available
This is a scent-free event
This is a low-auditory event
There will be some snacks provided and we’ll do our best to accommodate general food allergies Findmoreinformationhere.

Teenage Art Scene FRI, JUL 4th

 

Teenage Art Scene FRI, JUL 4th

Check out and support this up and coming young, local Fernwood band. Teenage Art Scene’s album release will be at Phillips Hall, July 4th. Find tickets here.

🌕 Under-the-Moon Dance Party
📍 Beacon Park Bandshell, Sidney
🗓 Tuesday, July 8 | ⏰ 9:15 PM
Dance under the stars, by the sea, with your community! 💃🏽🕺🏻
It’s fun. It’s free. It’s feel-good!
✨ Come as you are
👗 Dress however you like
🎶 Move however you feel
🌊 Leave lighter + happier
One dancer said: “I feel happy for days after this!” 💛
All are welcome. Just show up and shineLearn more here.

Get active with us this summer!
Free outdoor fitness classes are back at Ship Point. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just looking to get moving outside, we’ve got you covered.

🌞 Latin Dance: Mondays from June 2 to August 25 (5:30–7:30 p.m.)
🌞 Yoga with One Yoga Victoria: Wednesdays at noon in July and August.
🌞 Fitness Classes with The Fitness Academy: Thursdays at noon in July and August.

Learn more: victoria.ca/OURDWTN

🎉 Your ultimate summer guide is now even better!
Discover nearly 200 free concerts, festivals, markets and all-ages events happening all across Victoria from June to September.
✨ The new City Vibe Event Finder is now live at victoria.ca/cityvibe
🗓️ Search by date, location or activity.

Summer Highlights:
🎶 Summer at Ship Point – Live music, games & entertainment Tues–Thurs evenings on the Inner Harbour
🌳 Music in the Park – Concerts at Beacon Hill Park, Fri–Mon afternoons
💃 Drop-in Activities – Latin dance, choir & more across the city
🌆 Eventide Series – Free evening shows in Centennial Square (select Wednesdays)
🎵 Fort Common Series – Lunchtime concerts downtown on Thursdays
🔗 Plan your summer: victoria.ca/cityvibe