Recent events at the Co-op
A look back at a selection of recent events held at Dublin Food Co-op...
Got an idea for an event using the space at the Co-op?
Contact venue [at] dublinfood.coop
Gathering Momentum: Stop GM
Sunday 10th April | 10.00 - 17.00
Dublin Food Co-op hosted 'Gathering Momentum', an all Ireland gathering to renew the campaign against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on the island, attended by more than 70 people.
Further details on ongoing activities from stopgm@riseup.net or 087 7296088
Ideas Exchange: Dutch Environmental Architects visit DFC
Saturday 12th March | 11.00 - 11.45 | Side room (off Main Hall)
Twenty architects from the Netherlands took part in an informal exchange of ideas on topics including the conversion of urban industrial spaces to new post-industrial functions such as food co-ops.
The visitors are all involved in planning and urban development in an ecologically sustainable way. Their interests cover all aspects of sustainable urban planning, including organic planning, art in public space, urban psychology, urban anthropology, business improvement districts, culture, transport and regeneration.
The theme for their visit to Dublin was "urban development after the crisis" and they were also interested in meeting people developing new approaches to community enterprise and development.
Consensus Decision-Making Workshop
Thursday 10th March | 19.00 - 21.00
This was a chance to learn more about the consensus decision-making method that underpins the workings of Dublin Food Co-op in this practically focused and participatory workshop.
Meitheal for the Co-op café
Thursday 10th March | 17.00 - 21.00
Again, we were looking to gather volunteers for a meitheal to continue making furniture for the cafe out of pallets. Our aim with this session was to build our first bench. Although we want to get stuff done, a large part these events will be the social aspect and having a bit of craíc. So please don't be put off if you've never done anything like this before - you can always just come and hold tools (a very important job!), make cups of tea (likewise), or sing us a song or somesuch!
For more information contact the Work Rota Monitoring Group (WoRMs) at WoRMs [at] dublinfood.coop
Guest speaker for Fairtrade Fortnight
Saturday 5th March | 12.30 - 13.15 | Side room (off Main Hall)
For Fairtrade Fortnight, Dublin Food Co-op extended a warm welcome to Miguel Mateo Sebastián from the Manos Campesinas coffee co-operative in south west Guatemala.
Manos Campesinas was founded in 1997 by several farmers organisations seeking to develop a market for their organic coffee. Since 1998 it has been exporting coffee to USA and Europe under the Fairtrade criteria and the organic standards.
Altogether the co-op has 10 organisational members and 1,200 individual members, 22% of whom are women. The average size of a coffee farm is one acre, typically a whole family works on the farm and coffee is their main source of income.
Manos Campesinas operates a credit programme to assist farmers in their production and also offfer training to members. Its key goal is to develop long-term supply relationships with clients who care about quality, organic production and sustainability, thereby improving the livelihoods of members.
Miguel, who has been employed by Manos Campesinas in a sales role since 2006, spoke about the co-operative and the benefits it gains from its links with the fairtrade movement.
Workshop: Write a good AGM/SGM motion
Saturday 26th February | 14.00 - 15.00 | Upstairs Meeting Room
This participatory workshop offered a chance to build skills in writing a clear, concise and effective motion with a look ahead to the 2011 Annual General Meeting on 9th April, and also to the Special General Meeting on 24th March to deal with proposals members which to bring forward to strengthen the DFC constitution. This session is open to all members and is free of charge.
Imbolc - first growth of Spring celebration
Saturday 5th February | 18.30 - 21.30
- A Spiral ceremony for imbolc to bring the seeds of the ideas we have developed during the long winter months and plant them so they may be fruitful in the everyday world
- A naming ceremony for a baby co-op member will follow
- Then food sharing, circle dancing/ games Imbolc is the old Feast for the St. Brigid’s day time of year, a time for candle extinguishing, trimming, blessing and relighting
Talkin' Co-op
Saturday 5th February | 13.00 - 15.00
Where to from here? The financial implications of the decisions we make
Premises - Finances - Structures
Talkin' Co-ops use open space technology. Participants decide the topics and direction of discussion. Take part in helping shape the future of YOUR Co-op.
All Co-op members welcome
Tales from a Greek Kitchen
Friday 28th January | 19.00 - 21.00
A little course on Classical Greek cuisine
A short course on vegetarian Greek cooking that taught participants how to prepare a classical Greek meal - inspired by the literature and dietary habits of the ancient Greeks - to take home at the end of the class; gave an introduction to the history of food and gastronomy in classical Greece; and provided well-researched vegetarian classical Greek recipes.
Cost was €35 euro including organic ingredients.
For more information on future courses contact Katerina Psimopoulos, katpsim@gmail.com, 086 302 5513
Meitheal for the Co-op café
Thursday 27th January | 19.00 - 21.00
In this session, we gathered volunteers for a meitheal to start making furniture for the cafe out of pallets. Although we wanted to get stuff done, a large part this event was the social aspect and having a bit of craíc.
Further meitheal events are planned - for more information contact the Work Rota Monitoring Group (WoRMs) at WoRMs [at] dublinfood.coop
Grow It Yourself - Dublin City Centre Group inaugural meeting
Saturday 22nd January 2011 | 12.00 - 13.00
This well-attended launch meeting of a new Dublin city centre group for Grow It Yourself Ireland was addressed by founder Michael Kelly. » Event flyer
GIY networks aim to take the ‘self’ out of ‘self- sufficiency’ by getting back-garden growers together on a regular basis to talk, learn from each other and exchange tips, produce and war-stories! Regular meetings will now take place at the Co-op on the second Saturday of every month, from 12 noon-1.30pm. They are free and open to people interested in food growing at all levels.