Wordless Wednesday
Listeria Outbreak: The Lowdown
And dear buyers, beware, just in case. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, stores are not legally obliged to remove recalled food. There are reports, two to my knowledge, both outside of Quebec, of slow responses in removing recalled Maple Leaf products (e.g., slow reaction at a Safeway store in British Columbia) so if you see one of these 220 recalled foods still on display for whatever reason, notify the store manager without delay and call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency immediately at 1 (800) 442-2342 with the store name, store location and the name of the recalled food item. Mind you, most of the listed meat items (labeled "97B" near the "best before" or "packed on" dates) were recalled as a precaution, but better safe than sorry, sick or worse.
For more information on the outbreak, listeria bacterium and listeriosis, check out, in addition to the links below, Susan Monroe, your Guide to Canada Online's blog and your Toronto Guide, Marilyn Campbell's recent comment on Maple Leaf products.
Montreal, have you spotted any still-shelved products? Also, did this tainted meat scare frighten you off processed meat altogether or not really? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment just below.
More on Listeriosis and the Listeria Outbreak
List of Recalled Food Items
Listeriosis: Risks, Symptoms and Precautions
This Weekend in Montreal - Free Swinging, Glutton World, Last Call at Plage Doré
Musts ...
18th-Century Public Market at Pointe-à-Callière
Pointe-à-Callière is recreating what Montreal's first public markets may have been like in the 1700s. Even the chocolate truffles, cheese and lamb sausages on sale at the market are authentically 18th century style. Great for kids too with storytellers, craftspeople and roving musicians on-hand. Admission is free.
Last Call at the Beach
Feels like summer is just starting but alas, this weekend is your last 2008 chance to swim at Plage Doré. Never been? Read a review of the urban beach experience, complete with admission and location info.
Wordless Wednesday
Food Banks Need Food
Gathering fruits, vegetables, canned and dried goods to supply over 200 food bank organizations across Montreal, Moisson usually has a rougher time collecting enough food to cover demand outside of Christmas and the holiday season, with the summer standing out as a particularly challenging season.
But Moisson, in addition to other food banks across the country, is having an unprecedented amount of difficulty collecting enough food, with an estimated 30% drop in donations this June compared to the same time last year.
Blame the direct and indirect impact of gas prices for the lower donations but these same factors are also -- and I suppose I'm pointing out the obvious -- responsible for an increase in demand.
Decreased supply, increased demand ... Moisson Montreal urgently needs help to get more food out to people who are hungry including families, often single parents. Children alone make up a third of the people helped by the 200+ organizations supplied by Moisson, not to mention an increase in employed workers resorting to food banks, a noticeable trend over the last two years.
The top three ways to help Moisson secure more food are: donating money, organizing a food drive at work and volunteering directly at Moisson. From a weekly stint to an uncommitted one-time-and-that's-it visit, Sophie assured me the volunteering possibilities are many and every little bit is deeply appreciated! Just give them a call at (514) 344-4494 to find out how you can make a difference.
On the other hand, if you or someone you know is having trouble getting by, know that there are some great programs out there to help in addition to food banks, such as:
Even public markets -- particularly the Jean-Talon Market and Marché Frontenac -- have some very good prices and the quality makes the cost feel like a steal. The spices are also the cheapest I've seen in these parts with a choice of three for $5 at the Jean Talon Market's En Vrac. Moisson Montreal also lists some seasonal markets on their website.There's also the food co-op Organic Campus: a summer basket from late July contained 14 kinds of vegetables, fresh basil, some little apples and herbal tea leaves. A week's supply for two is $15 and $25 covers a family of four. Almost hard to believe it's locally grown organic produce!
While on the topic of food and money, any foodies out there eating chic-on-a-budget? More than a few could benefit from your tips so if you have tricks for eating well with little, from cheap but amazing restaurants to unbeatable produce deals, send me an email, leave a comment below or share a recipe in the forum. Thanks Montreal!
This Weekend in Montreal - Kid's Fest, Pride Parade, Cha Tao
La Fête des Enfants
The Montreal Children's Festival is three days of over 80 free activities (except the mini-train tours) at Parc Jean-Drapeau, from creative workshops to free access to the Ste. Hélène Aquatic Complex, the Stewart Museum and Biosphere. There's special activities for babies too, nursing tents for mom, storage room for coolers, changing tables, etc. Just check out the Children's Fest site for all the details because there's more.
More Gay Pride Celebrations!
Following up the city's first installment of gay pride (Divers/Cité, from two weekends ago) are more LGBT festivities starting at 6 p.m. this evening through Sunday, August 17 as Montreal's Pride Celebrations take hold. Including a series of outdoor shows and DJ sessions at Parc Émilie-Gamelin, just beside Berri-UQAM Metro, check out the Pride Celebrations schedule for details on these events and more and do take a look at my Guide to the Montreal Gay Village for more information on the Village's restaurants, clubs and getting around the neighborhood.
Wordless Wednesday
Reverse Graffiti ... of Coldplay?
Here's a brilliant sample of this budding street art form turned marketing technique: a 140 foot long mural covering Broadway Tunnel in San Francisco simultaneously showcases innovative artist Moose's work, livens up the grime-infested tunnel and sends a strong political message (while showing off the powerful-cleaning-action of Green Works, a Clorox line of eco-friendly products).
This Weekend in Montreal - Festiblues, Organic Fest, Under Pressure
Festiblues
Some shows are free and a day pass is only $5 (free for kids under 12). Cotton Belly's, Acadian group Feufollet, Steve Strongman and many more perform today through Sunday at select outdoor and indoor locations, most near Henri-Bourrassa Metro.
La Fête Bio Paysanne
Dubbed "Canada's largest organic/eco-friendly event," fifth edition activities include outdoor cardio workouts, demystifying compost, opera for kids, CSA farmer booths, herbology workshops and more all happening at La TOHU. Admission and events are free. Presentations in French.