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 yourproduce — we want it to make it all the way home — not playing a game of 10 pin on the sidewalk!

This week the Giving Garden is contributing local mint, collards & garlic.

Learn more about the Giving Garden at Royal Roads University and what they do.

A new kitchen garden, designed as a learning lab and sustainable food production hub for the local community, was unveiled as part of Royal Roads University’s annual spring fundraising campaign.

The unveiling of the first new planting site in the kitchen garden launches the second year of the Vision in Bloom campaign, with a target of $250,000 to support ongoing work to restore, reimagine and sustain the university’s century-old gardens and ancient landscapes.

Royal Roads President and Vice-Chancellor Philip Steenkamp was onsite, introducing media to the garden, including CBC Radio’s Robyn Burns from All Points West with Robyn Burns.

Here is some of what he had to say about the Giving Garden:

“It’s a fabulous learning opportunity for our students. Learning about how you grow food, which I think is going to be increasingly important in our world given all the disruptions we’ve seen in the supply chain, but also to learn about food insecurity and how you address it,” says Steenkamp. “A lot of the work we do at the University is tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and one of those goals is ending hunger, so it will be an intrical part of the learning program and research program.”

Listen to the full interview on CBC’s All Points West with Robyn Burns and read and watch more about the garden and Vision in Bloom on CHEK News, the Times Colonist, Black Press, CTV News, Academica Top Ten, and CFAX-1070.

Source: here.

This week Littlest Acre is contributing fava beans, zucchini, green beans – and they’re all delicious!

Small farm, real food since 2011. Littlest Acre Organics is a family farm growing 40+ crops on 2 acres. We specialize in high-quality soil-grown produce and pasture-raised non-GMO eggs. Our popular 24 week CSA features the best of our fields.

Sauteed Fava Beans by Feasting at Home pairs the brightness of favas sauteed in lemon with a hardstyle cheese for the perfect blend. It’s a quick, simple recipe you’ll not be able to get enough of.

Find the recipe here. https://www.feastingathome.com/fava-beans-with-mint/

Collard greens are back in style – try this perfect picnic food, recipe provided by the Food Netwrk. Check out the feedback at the end as it offers several great subs and swaps. Like dolmades, you can make a batch and freeze ahead for entertaining or picnicking. Enjoy! The recipe is here. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/mediterranean-stuffed-collard-greens-5450126

Learn the tricks of the trade from Cookie and Kate to keep your beans cooked but not soggy. This scrumptious salad definitely seems worthy of being added to the summer menu plan rotation. For a vegan option, check out Violife Feta or other brands your local grocer might carry. Find the recipe here. https://cookieandkate.com/green-bean-salad-recipe/

This dressing can be made in minutes and add rich flavour to your roasted veggies, grain bowls or salads. Find it shared by Desireerd. It would make a great addition to collard wraps. Find the recipe at https://desireerd.com/homemade-garlic-vinaigrette-recipe/

Still have cabbage left over from last week but it’s been too hot to make anything but coleslaw? Whip out that air fryer, same with your zucchini – the air fryer (if you have one…if you don’t, watch for one on Market Place or other used sites). It’s a great way to have a home cooked meal or snack and use up that summer veg you’re staring at or the zucchini mysterious neighbours are dropping on your doorstep in the late hours of the night.

2. Broccoli

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, from 2 small or 1 large head of broccoli cut into bite sized (roughly 1½-2 inch) pieces

3 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons water

Optional Garnish

Fresh lemon wedges

Shredded parmesan cheese

4. Potato

4 medium potatoes

2 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon pepper

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Find this here.

At the time of writing this newsletter I’m hoping for cilantro in our bags but don’t know yet BUT I still think this is a recipe to keep on hand if you’re a lover of the Green Sauce craze. It’ll save you tons of money to make your own and you can decide if you want to add a little more heat or a little less.

Next event: Saturday July 19th

Hello Meet a Stranger community!  Our next monthly event will be Saturday, July 19th at the Fairfield Gonzales Community Place (1330 Fairfield Rd). As always, we begin at 2.15pm, and start the conversations at 2.30pm. Hope to see you there!

Additionally, we will be hosting a “Button Party” on Saturday August 9th at the same location, between 2pm-4pm. This drop-in event is an opportunity to come casually chat with some strangers, while also picking up a free bag of our signature buttons to distribute around the community.  The buttons are a simple way to help combat social isolation felt by so many across this city. If you feel like swinging by to collect a bag, and sharing them with the greater community, please do!

Free Drop-In Kids Soccer 

The NPNA and the BCMA are bringing back free drop in soccer for kids at Royal Athletic Park this summer! Supplies and snacks will be provided. Ages 5-13, no soccer experience required. Select Saturday mornings through the summer.

July 12th, July 19th, July 26th, August 2nd between 10am and 12pm

Now Hiring: Grocery Hamper Program Assistant (Part-Time)

Join our team and help address critical food security needs in North Park! The Grocery Hamper Program serves around 200 individuals each week with the support of around 14 amazing volunteers. We’re hiring a part-time assistant to help with weekly hamper deliveries every Thursday from 9:15 AM–12:15 PM. This is a paid contract position ($21/hour + mileage). Make a meaningful impact in your community by supporting seniors, families, newcomers, and others in need.

Please email your resume and expression of interest to  community@npna.ca 

Land Use Updates 

1625 Quadra Street 

Project Overview: The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club has submitted a rezoning application to permit a cannabis retail store that will provide low-cost cannabis for medicinal purposes, including harm reduction. The proposal includes a safe on-site consumption lounge with seating for approximately 18 people. You can view the application on the development tracker here.

Hamper-Accepting New Applicants

Every Thursday, the NPNA puts together free, weekly grocery hampers. The hampers are made up of produce, bread, eggs, and non-perishable items.

Anyone living North Park who faces food insecurity is eligible to receive a hamper, though We have a limited amount of spots.

If you, or someone you know would like to receive a hamper, please complete the sign up form on our website and send it to

ruby@npna.ca

The next Fernwood Play Streets is Sunday, July 13  from 2 – 4:30.
As always, we shut down the 1600 block of Camosun St for family fun. This month’s theme is the always popular Kids Maker Market & Games Day! OK kids, get making! You are invited to sell, trade or gift your wares at the Kids Maker Market. (If you are selling, try to come with the ability to make some change. There will be a coin bank to help break bills.) There’ll also going to be art / making activities, games of all kinds, a science station, and a treasure hunt. Join us!
fernwoodplaystreets.wordpress.com

Island Hoops Summer Drop- In

Dates: Every Sunday from May 4, 2025 – August 31, 2025
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Central Park Basketball Courts next to Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre
Fee: FREE!
Format: 3X3 or 5v5, pending number of players
Washrooms: Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre has gendered washrooms and is open until 6:00pm; There is a gas station across the street open 24/7.
Age: 18+
Facilitators: Lauren, Kat and Reema
Weather: This court becomes dangerously slippery when it is wet. As a result, this program may be canceled at the last minute or partway-through due to inclement weather. Keep an eye on our Instagram or Discord server for updates.

“This program is very important to us because it’s the lowest-barrier program we offer. In 2024, we had so many people walk by and remark to us that they had never seen so many women and queer folks playing at this court, and we had walk-bys join our games or stop to watch. It is a centrally accessible, highly visible, and inexpensive program. Many players can easily bike, bus or walk to the courts, and spectators sitting in the shade in the bleachers pump music for the players. It’s a fun time for all!​​​​​​​

All abilities are welcome, from beginner to experienced. Come play, come watch, come cheer!”

Something fun is coming to the building across from the Crystal Pool! Visit the Make Space North Park website for a sneak peak, and follow @makespacenorthpark on instagram for updates!