Explore every episode of the podcast Shuswap Food Conversations

Warren welcome's back Melanie Bennett, Projects and Volunteer Coordinator with the Shuswap Food Action Society. Melanie and Warren will talk about Society programs in Salmon Arm such as School Meals, the Teaching Garden and the John McLeod Community Garden. They will also discuss plans for the next big thing, the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event, which takes place on February 22, 2025. Tune in for an update on CNOY and to hear about all the great things the Shuswap Food Action Society is up to in our town.

Listen in on Warren's conversation with Jim Cooperman, well known Shuswap advocate, author and promoter of healthy community living. Jim lives in Lee Creek and had a major role in improving strategies for wildfire management in BC after the devastating fires of 2023. He is active in protecting parkland and watersheds in our area and is the author of Everything Shuswap, a local guide to the Shuswap. Jim manages the website Shuswap Passion where he blogs about our area and advocates for the environment. Join Warren and Jim for a wide ranging conversation about the Shuswap.

Warren's guest is Jazmyn Evans of Grow & Change Horticultural Services in Mara, BC. This past summer Jazmyn was the lead judge for Project Grow, a youth garden contest that announced winners at the Salmon Arm Fall Fair. Jazmyn and Warren talk about the project and the winners, and discuss horticulture education, the positive effects of a healthy landscape and growing your own food.

This week Warren's guest is David Colombe of Still Food Bistro on Alexander Street in Salmon Arm. David has a wide ranging background of work and travel in the music and food industries. David was the Head Chef at Table24 in Salmon Arm and currently is a Yoga instructor and owner of Still Food Bistro, where he focuses on local, organic and vegan fare. Join Warren and David for a wide ranging conversation about music, travel, yoga, and preparing great food with local organic ingredients.

Warren's guests are Becky Dochstader and Will Miller of Holey Handpies here in Salmon Arm. Will and Becky are regulars at the Salmon Arm Downtown Farmers Market where they sell a variety of locally made savory pies. Will is also the Manager at Zest, our local commercial food hub where many producers come to cook their products. Learn about Will and Becky's varied backgrounds and how they came to the Shuswap to set up their business and establish their life together.

In this episode hear Warren's conversation with Melanie Bennett, Liz Blakeway and Howie McMillan of the Shuswap Food Action Society. This show focuses on some of the major SFAS accomplishments from the past year and looks forward to the team's plans for greater regional collaboration and food policy development in the Shuswap and North Okanagan.

Join Dr. Warren Bell for his conversation with Jordan Marr of Unearthed Organics in Kelowna, BC. Jordan produces corn, beans, chilis and other goodies for restaurants, and he sells seeds and dry goods across Canada. Jordan is also a podcaster and broadcaster ruminating on all things agriculture. We don't stop there because Jordan is also the Board President of Organic BC representing the North Okanagan Organic Association. A super busy guy, there is lots to talk about with Jordan Marr.

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 in northern living and global food security from a northern perspective.

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 agriculture within the city.

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 and sunshine, meaningful work, adequate sleep & at all times, generous doses of love.

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.

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.

Warren welcomes Dr. Eileen Wong and some of her colleagues on the Food Working Group of the Environmental Stewardship Team of BC's Lower Mainland Health Authorities. Eileen and her colleagues are engaged in research and action to improve the quality and sustainability of hospital food and to "Transform Healthcare Food Systems One Plate at a Time." Warren and the team will discuss their recent conference on the subject and they will describe the strategies they are developing to improve food acquisition, distribution and sustainability in order to ensure better health for hospital patients into the future.

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, their family journey and how they decided to get into the coffee business here in Salmon Arm.

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 wonderful flavours and ingredients that make up traditional Indian cooking.

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; integrated pest management; agriculture education; regionalized food systems and sustainable fruit and vegetable production. Warren and Kent have a lot to talk about!

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 "If you eat real, you can heal; and if we all eat real, the planet will heal."

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 industrial park, and balances her bumble bee research with running a major manufacturing business.

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.

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 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 local producers.

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 Director and how she came to be part of our community and the Land to Table Network.

Dr. Warren Bell interviews Owen Madden about his life growing up in Ireland, becoming a Criminal Lawyer, moving to Canada and becoming the co-owner, with his wife Emily, of Nature Delivered, a food delivery service bringing locally grown organic vegetables and meats to residents of the Shuswap area.

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 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 the Farm to School program works.

In this episode Warren talks with Robyn Hooper and Jess Booth of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society of BC. Warren, Robyn, and Jess discuss the broad impact of invasive species in our area and in particular their impact on food production and farming.

Warren's guest is Andrea Kilborn, owner of Forest and Food Fixations, a local baker creating artisan bread, baked goods and foraged foods. Amanda started her business in 2019 and now runs the business with a number of employees and teaches bread making and foraging classes as well. Andrea has lived in the wilderness of BC in a tent foraging for food and developing her hobbies of rock hounding, music and knife making. Join Warren and Andrea for an engaging discussion about artisan bread, foraging, and living off the land.

Listen in on Warren's conversation with members of the Agri-food Working Group of CAPE-On (Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment). This group of physicians and researchers has started a unique program called Growing Sustainable Physicians, which endeavours to teach new physicians about the climate crisis and its impacts on our food systems and our health. Join Warren for a discussion that explores the intersections of climate, agriculture, food and our health, and aims to improve physician education.

In this episode Warren talks with Dr. Keith Williams of Athabasca University about his research into contrasting attitudes towards plants and animals across history and a range of cultures, with particular emphasis on indigenous perspectives towards plants, animals, the foods we eat and medicines we use.

In this episode, Warren's guest is Debbie Field, National Co-ordinator with the Coalition for Healthy School Food. Debbie and Warren will talk about school food programs across Canada and the National School Food Funding Program which has helped to start up school food programs starting in Newfoundland and Labrador, and now in Ontario, Manitoba and more. Governments and communities around the world are realizing the value of healthy, free school lunch programs. Join Warren and Debbie as they talk about the benefits of healthy food for our kids.

Listen in on Warren's conversation with Lydia McKnight and Chelsea Keenan of Yankee Flats Meats. Lydia and Chelsea will talk about their joint venture involving their two families, their locally raised animals and now a custom butcher shop with two locations, Salmon Arm and Vernon. Their journey involves many trials and successes and they remain committed to providing our community with the highest quality, locally sourced meats while promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting local producers.

In this episode Warren's guest is Mikaela Cannon, author of the newly released book Foraging as a Way of Life. Mikaela lives in Armstrong. BC and has studied ethnobotany and herbalism and spent two years learning to be a wilderness guide in Sweden (living in a tipi). She has worked as a ranger and research assistant in Australia and as a sailor in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and on the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. For the last 12 years she has been teaching classes for adults and youth on how to forage for wild plants and how to use them in everyday cooking. This has culminated in her new book and her blog site Forest Fables. Join Warren and Mikaela as they explore the wonders of our natural environment and ways to find nutritious food through foraging.

In this episode hear Warren's live broadcast with Keli Westgate of Lekker Land Design. Keli is a certified Permaculture Designer helping clients create their own abundant, eco-friendly garden landscape that support climate-positive goals including increasing food security, personal health and community resilience. Keli has clients throughout the North Okanagan and Shuswap and she was instrumental in establishing the Lighthouse Community Food Forest at the Salvation Army Food Bank in Salmon Arm. Join Warren and Keli as they explore the benefits of permaculture design principles in establishing productive and earth friendly gardens.

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.

This episode is an encore edition of Warren's conversation with Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri (retired). Dr. Ikerd is an academic advocate for sustainable agriculture - agriculture that meets the needs of all in the present while leaving equal or better opportunities for those of the future. That includes a focus on Deep Sustainability, Community Food Sovereignty and learning to live "wisely, agreeably, and well" (to quote J. M. Keynes).

This episode from October 2023 includes Warren's conversation with Brad DeMille, Owner and CEO at DeMille's farmer's market in Salmon Arm, BC. Brad talks with Warren about food supply chain challenges, food prices and food security in the Shuswap. He will also share his stories about the DeMille’s family business, how the business has evolved and prospered, and their plans for the future.

In this episode from September 2023 Warren welcomes Claire Askew. Claire is President of the Shuswap Food Action Society and is part of the Askew's grocery family that serves the North Okanagan. She will be talking about her time working in the family business, being involved as a volunteer in the community, and about a new project she and her husband have initiated designing and establishing food gardens in residential property developments.

In this episode from September of 2023 hear Warren Bell in conversation with Jennifer Chernecki and Howie McMillan, Manager and Coordinator respectively of the Salmon Arm Downtown Farmer's Market that occurs every Saturday on Ross Street in Salmon Arm. Jen and Howie will talk about the growing success of local Farmer's Markets and their impact on the surrounding communities.

Warren welcomes back Launa Purcell and Sherelle Anderson of Rise Up, Indigenous Wellness. Launa and Sherelle talk about their indigenous food security programs for urban indigenous people in the shuswap area. Rise Up Indigenous Wellness is an Indigenous run and directed Non Profit organization based out of Salmon Arm. The organization arose to address gaps in services for Indigenous children, youth and families. Rise Up provides holistic programs designed to empower Indigenous people on their path to wellness.

In this episode hear Warren in Conversation with Elmarie Roberts, volunteer and educator with the Shuswap Food Action Society. Elmarie's background includes time as a teacher, small scale farmer, and Gaia College Canada instructor. She has education and experience with permaculture, organic farming as a business, and is an organic master gardener. Elmarie's focus is on healthy food and effective, hope-filled education choices accessible to all, especially children.

This week hear Warren in conversation from 2023 with Jim McEwan, Manager of the Salmon Arm Fall Fair. Jim and his team are busy organizing the annual agricultural fair which takes place at the Salmon Arm Fair Grounds September 8-10, 2023. The first Fall Fair was held in 1897, and the event has served as a gathering place for community members to showcase their crops, produce and talents ever since. Jim will share his experience organizing this major agricultural event and let us in on special plans for this year's event.

This week hear Warren’s conversation with Ishkandar Ahmed, former CEO of Choices Markets. Ishkandar will share his experience in the food importing and retail business working to compete with the big chains while maintaining a local and largely organic range of products. Ishkandar brings a unique perspective on the global food business.

In this episode Warren is in Conversation with Ron and Jennifer Ste. Marie of Notch Hill Community Growers. Hear Ron and Jen’s story of retiring from their jobs in Kamloops and purchasing a 160 acre farm in Notch Hill where, as first time farmers, they are working to grow vegetables and engage other farmers in a cooperative style of farming. While they are at it they are helping to build community connections for sustainable agriculture and grow their adopted community.

Warren's guests for this episode are Melanie Bennett and Serena Caner from the Shuswap Food Action Society. Together they look back to the success of the Coldest Night of the Year event in 2023, and talk about more recent events such as Indigenous Foodways and the Ross Street market, and then spring forward to talk about what's going on at the community teaching garden and food forest projects here in Salmon Arm this summer.

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 philosophy and the healing benefits of some fungi.

This week listeners will hear Warren Bell in conversation with Tony Van den Tillaart of Fieldstone Organics, a certified organic grain handling facility located in Armstrong BC. Fieldstone Organics provides whole grains, legumes & seeds to bulk, wholesale and retail consumers. Tony heads up the organic farm operations and is continually pioneering new methods and crops on the farm. Fieldstone is a cooperative that promotes a healthy, wholesome organic way of life through local food products and by inter-connecting farmers, community and consumers to support long term sustainability.

In this episode from April 2023 listeners will hear Warren Bell in conversation with Chef Nimmi Erasmus about the Culinary Arts program at Salmon Arm Secondary School (Sullivan Campus). Chef Nimmi has been integrating Farm to School principles into the SAS cafeteria and Culinary Arts program, including sourcing from local farmers when possible, incorporating seasonal menus and engaging the next generation of culinary artists. For Chef Nimmi, Culinary Arts "has the ability to change the way we view the world. Global cuisine has exposed (us to) a variety of food trends and has changed our diet, and how we live." Ms. Erasmus has recently been invited to present at the first ever Farm to School B.C.-wide conference being held at the University of B.C.

This week listeners will hear Warren Bell in conversation with Samuel Myers MD, MPH, of Harvard University. Sam studies the human health impacts of accelerating disruptions to Earth’s natural systems, a field recently dubbed Planetary Health. He is a Principal Research Scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is the founding Director of the Planetary Health Alliance (www.planetaryhealthalliance.org). Warren and Sam will discuss the impacts of human activities on the health of the planet, including climate impacts and global food production, and how we will have to change the way we manage our impacts on the planet and our food production systems in particular.

In this episode Warren is in conversation with Launa Purcell and Sherelle Anderson of Rise Up Indigenous Wellness here in Salmon Arm. Launa and Sherelle will talk about the programs and services they offer to indigenous youth and families living in urban areas. Program participants learn sustainable food practices and are encouraged to regain and sustain their cultural heritage through traditional learning methods.