Hastings Community Centre

Hastings Food and Garden Programs

Programs

The Hastings Community Learning Garden, right next to the community centre, is where we grow food for some of our programs and educate neighbours from preschoolers to seniors on topics of nutrition, gardening, and sustainability. The garden is open all the time for a serene stroll or as a place to sit in nature.

We also run kitchen programs year-round to teach skills such as cooking, canning & food preservation, and making natural beauty & homecare products.

Our Mission: To provide food & garden programming that educates, empowers & connects the Hastings-Sunrise community.

Our Vision: Hastings-Sunrise will be a strong, healthy community connected through growing and sharing food and food traditions.

FALL 2023 PROGRAMS – Register starting August 12

Growing Kids

Get your kids excited about the world of growing things! Join us in the garden to learn about plants, soil, seeds and insects through fun and engaging activities. We’ll cover a different topic each week. Caregivers must be present throughout the class. We will meet in the garden, or in the Arts & Crafts Room in case of rain. No classes on Oct 2, Oct 9, or Nov 13.

Mon Sep 11-Oct 30 11:00 AM-11:30 AM- FREE

Mon Nov 6-Dec 11 11:00 AM-11:30 AM- FREE

Gardening Corner

Are you interested in gardening and natural food preparation, but not sure where to start? Join us in the garden to learn about nutrition, plants, soil, seeds and insects through fun and engaging activities. Increase your knowledge and become comfortable working in your own kitchen and garden.

Wed Sep 13 to Oct 25 11:00 AM-12:00 PM – FREE

Wed Nov 8 to Dec 13 11:00 AM-12:00 PM – FREE

Food Skills for Families – Healthy Cooking on A Budget

Food Skills for Families is an enjoyable way to connect in the kitchen, learn hands-on cooking skills and make healthy eating, easy, quick and fun. Healthy eating is an important part of overall wellness and we hope this program inspires you to cook tasty meals for you and your family. Have fun in the kitchen and keep cooking! Students must be able to attend all 6 weeks.

Sun Sep 10-Oct 15 10:30 AM-1:30 PM – FREE

Cooking Classes for Kids

Join us and learn about food safety, nutrition, and the importance of preparing in a clean and nice cooking environment. Kids will have an amazing time socializing and sharing their creativity with our young chef Alexandros from Greece and will explore cooking habits from different cultures! Kids will write down and vote what kind of food they want to learn to make in their first class. Please, bring your own Tupperware. The classes will include recipes for finger food, school lunch, cookies, and a few jar mixes. No class Sep 30

Sat Sep 9-Oct 14 9:30 AM-11:30 AM $50/5 sess

Sat Oct 21-Nov 18 9:30 AM-11:30 AM $50/5 sess

Sat Nov 25-Dec 16 9:30 AM-11:30 AM $40/4 sess

Culinary Passport International Cooking – $10 per session

Come prepare some international cuisine with Alex as he showcases a different flavour each month. Participants will learn the how-to & walk away with a meal to enjoy! Sessions will run on the second Tuesday of each month, so make sure to sign up for each one.

Caribbean Cuisine – Tues Sept 12 9:30 AM-11:30 AM

German Cuisine – Tues Oct 10 9:30 AM-11:30 AM

Italian Cuisine – Tues Nov 14 9:30 AM-11:30 AM

Turkish Cuisine – Tues Dec 12 9:30 AM-11:30 AM

Garden Volunteer Days – FREE

Come meet other people in your community by working on an outdoor project in our Community Garden. No experience necessary! Enjoy the sunshine and bring your enthusiasm to this small outdoor gardening gathering. Refreshments will be served.

Sat Sep 16 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Cooking, Health & Lifestyles Workshops – $5 per session

Become Your Own Home Florist – Tues Sept 19 7:00 PM-8:30 PM

Japanese Comfort Food: Miso Soup with Umami Dashi Secret – Mon Oct 16 7:00 PM-9:00 PM

Canning 101 – Tues Oct 24 7:00 PM-9:00 PM

Beeswax Wraps – Tues Nov 21 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

Herbal Salves – Mon Dec 18 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM