Shuswap Food Conversations

In this episode from October of 2023, hear Warren's conversation with Michael Hermary, co-founder and President of Gaia College, located on Vancouver Island. Gaia College offers courses in progressive organic land care, both hands-on and online, to students from all over the world. Gaia College was launched to help people make a transition to sustainable land care practices - to be aware of the co...

This week Warren talks with Andrea Gunner, Professional Agrologist with the BC Institute of Agrologists and co-owner of Rosebank organic poultry arms in Armstrong BC. Andrea will talk with Warren about their farm, the organic certification process and about her wide range of consulting experience connecting agricultural producers with consumers in sustainable and economically viable systems. (From...

In this episode from November of 2023 hear Warren's conversation with sisters Destini Cogbill and Shelby Planidin of Anvil Coffee Collective here in Salmon Arm. Destini and Shelby own and manage the Anvil Coffee Collective cafe on Ross street. Anvil is a family business founded by Shelby, Destini and their parents with the intention to serve great coffee and build an even greater community around...

In this episode from November of 2023 Warren's guests are Launa Payne and Kris Wilson of Rise Up Indigenous Wellness. They will share the story of Rise Up Indigenous Wellness and talk about the programs they offer for Urban Indigenous youth and the food security initiatives they have undertaken to support local families. Rise Up also supports local band members that lost homes, resources and much...

This episode from November of 2023 includes Warren's conversation with Julia Beatty, Chair of the Shuswap Climate Action Society. Warren and Julia discuss the impacts of climate change on our agricultural environment, food production capacity and therefore our ability to grow food and feed our communities.

In this episode from December of 2023 hear Warren's conversation with Reverend Jenny Carter, and Administrator Mary Sheideggar, both of First Community United Church in Salmon Arm. Their conversation is about the role the church plays in our community through eco-commoning - which is an integrated approach to helping communities become sustainable by being focused on the common good.

This episode from December of 2023 shares Warren's conversation with Dr. Keith Williams, Assistant Professor at Athabasca University and adjunct faculty at First Nations Technical Institute. Keith holds a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture, a teaching degree, a Masters Degree in Mycology, and a Ph. D. with a focus on Indigenous Philosophy. Warren and Keith will discuss Indigenous food systems and phil...

In this episode Warren's guests are Melanie Bennett, Howie McMillan and Mary Rodriguez of the Shuswap Food Action Society. This show from December 2023 focuses on SFAS programs such as the School Meals program, Downtown Farmers Market and the 2024 Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event.

In this first show of 2024. Warren Bell welcomes Sonya Rokosh of Farm to School BC. Farm to School BC works in collaboration with local community partners to support schools in building comprehensive farm to school food programs that develop student food literacy, and enhance school and community connectedness. Sonya and Warren talk about the complex job of Regional Animator for our area and how t...

This week Warren's guests are Melanie Bennett of the Shuswap Food Action Society, and Patti Thurston of the Shuswap Family Resource Centre. This conversation will focus on the upcoming Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event (February 24th, 2024) and how all the monies raised from this major event in support of food security are used throughout our community.

In this episode hear Warren's conversation with Liz Blakeway, Network Director of the Land to Table Network for the North Okanagan. Land To Table is a network of individuals and organizations from various sectors of the North Okanagan food system who aim to build a thriving, healthy, just, and resilient regional food system that nourishes and connects people. Liz will talk about her role as Direct...

This week hear Warren's conversation with Dave Wallace and Mike Medwid of Askews Foods. As Operations Manager for Askews, Dave is involved in all aspects of the business from sourcing and buying products, to store operations, to staffing and training. Dave, Mike and Warren will talk about recent developments in the grocery business including food prices, supply chain challenges and supporting loca...

Warren talks with Sue Moore, retired farmer and gardener extraordinaire. As well as growing and selling her own seedlings and garden produce, Sue is one of the key players behind the Shuswap Food Society's Community Teaching Garden. Learn about the key tasks necessary to getting your garden started now, and what's going on (and how to volunteer) at the Community Teaching Garden this season.

This week Warren's guest is Rajula Gupta, owner of Foods of India in Salmon Arm. Rajula has a long history in the food business and has lived in ten different countries around the world. Warren and Rajula will talk about growing up in a traditional Indian family and his observations on food security and sustainable agriculture around the world. And, of course, there will be time to talk about the...

In this episode Warren's guest is Dr. Kent Mullinix of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Dr. Mullinix is the Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security at KPU and is engaged in research and development to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems. His areas of interest and research include: sustainable agriculture; tree fruit production; ecologically sound cropping systems; integr...

In this episode Warren is in conversation with Nicolette Richer, founder and CEO of Richer Health and Sea to Sky Thrivers, a returning guest who lives and works in Whistler, B.C. Nicolette talks with Warren about her nutrition-based wellness practice in which she helps people with chronic disease or cancer to conquer their condition through plant-based nutrition and detoxification. In her words "I...

This week Warren's guest is Sarah Johnson, educator and PhD student living in Salmon Arm. Sarah studies bumble bee community, landscape ecology and conservation. Sarah and Warren will talk about the important work of bumble bees in our food ecology and the complex impacts of wildfire on bumble bees. Sarah is also the managing director of Machen Manufacturing Ltd. located in the Salmon Arm industri...

This week Warren's guest is Heather O'Hara, CEO at the BC Association of Farmers Markets. Heather and Warren will talk about how Province-wide support for local farmer's markets came to be, the funding available and challenges of getting farmers markets established, and a bit about the success of our Farmers Markets in Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Enderby, Sicamous and Revelstoke.

This week enjoy Warren's conversation with returning guest Dr. Keith Williams, Assistant Professor at Athabasca University and adjunct faculty at First Nations Technical Institute. This time around Warren and Keith discuss some of the healing benefits of well known fungi and some of the recent developments and issues in using psychedelic mushrooms for medicinal purposes, among other topics. Dr. Ke...

In this episode Warren's guest is David Schaus, business owner at 6Beans Roasters in Salmon Arm, BC. David and his wife Jordan (and their six kids!) have established a thriving coffee roasting business in the Shuswap. They sell their air roasted coffee throughout the Shuswap and can be found every week at the Salmon Arm downtown Farmer's Market. Find out about their coffee, the roasting process, t...

This week Warren's guest is Jean-Francois Chaumont, owner of Sacred Earth Eco-Farm in Salmon Arm, BC. Jean-Francois and his wife Suzanne produce organic greens and handcrafted salad blends available in local grocery stores and restaurants. Jean-Francois describes their journey into farming and how their local business supports a model of sustainable, organic and local food production.

In this show Warren's guest is Tracy Edwards, Manager of the Zest Food Hub. Tracy provides an overview of Zest and an update on developments at the food hub including new tenants, new equipment, what kinds of great food is being produced there, and what’s planned for the coming year or two.

In this episode hear Warren's conversation with Dr. Michael Klaper, American physician, author and health educator focused on the benefits of a plant-based diet. Dr. Klaper teaches new medical doctors about the health and well being that can be achieved in their patients through a balanced diet based upon whole plant foods, along with a healthy, non-smoking lifestyle, daily walks in the fresh air...

This week Warren's guest is David Gonella, Salmon Arm City Councillor and Executive Director of the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival. David and Warren will talk about David's background, the 2024 SAR&B festival and the Food Security and Agriculture plan recently introduced as a motion by David at Salmon Arm City Council. The motion directs city staff to create more opportunities for urban a...

This episode includes Warren's conversation with Dr. Suzanne Crocker, documentary filmmaker from Dawson City, Yukon. Suzanne's award winning film "First We Eat" profiles a year in the life of her family as they work to "eat local" through a whole year in their northern city. Suzanne is a former rural physician who changed careers to become a filmmaker out of a desire to examine and document issues...