The People's Potato

Check out our new website!

2012-01-23T14:34:00.002-05:00

Hey all,
Check out our new website at peoplespotato.weebly.com

love,
The Potato

Food Banks at the Potato

2012-01-15T09:47:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,
Time to kick off another great year at the Potato! Keep your eyes peeled for our new schedule of Food Banks this semester! Don't forget to show up early, and to bring your own bags. See you there!
Love,
the Potato

People's Potato servings coming soon!

2011-08-16T14:49:00.000-04:00

We will begin serving our regular daily meals on September 6, 2011. We are looking forward to starting up another great year!

Put Your Politics Where Your Mouth Is

2011-03-07T18:07:00.001-05:00

poster courtesy of the lovely Al Blair : http://www.abcposters.wordpress.com

download the poster here:

http://themidnightkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mk_final2-1.pdf

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Midnight Kitchen and the People’s Potato present…

PUT YOUR POLITICS WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS

Join us for a week of workshops, skillshares, and speakers

March 14th – 18th at Concordia and McGill

***All venues are wheelchair accessible.

Childcare and whisper translation between French and English is available with 48 hours notice.

***All events will include a free vegan, nut free snack or meal. Please get in touch 48 hours in advance for allergy needs.

midnightkitchencollective@gmail.com

http://themidnightkitchen.wordpress.com

peoplespotato@gmail.com

http://peoplespotato.blogspot.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Monday, March 14th

Workshop: The Commodity Chain
1pm – Shatner Ballroom, 3480 McTavish (Metro Peel), 3rd Floor

This workshop will investigate the path of a few ingredients as they travel to the kitchen, and the social, political, and environmental effects of each step along their journey.

Keynote Panel: Food Should Be Free: A conversation on the fight for food security – globally and locally

5pm – Hall Building, 1455 de Maisonneuve West, 7th Floor

With:

Sally Miller – author of Edible Action (Toronto)
Michael Freeman of Action Communauterre (Montreal)
Mat Forget of the NDG Food Depot (Montreal)

Tuesday, March 15th

Workshop: Women and the Food System
1pm – Shatner Ballroom, 3480 McTavish, 3rd Floor

Women’s labour provides the driving force behind global food systems, though it is often unpaid, undervalued, and invisible. This workshop will explore the many ways that women, especially women of colour, are exploited in order to ensure the viability of market-based food production.

The Human Ecology of Collective Gardening
4pm – Location TBA (Concordia)

Through a hands-on activity and discussion, in this playshop participants will learn about the dynamics and difficulties that may arise when people come together to create a community garden.
Cultural Transformation- the theory and practice of fermentation

6pm – Workshop: cultural transformation: the theory and practice of fermenting
The Midnight Kitchen, Shatner Building 3480 MacTavish, 3rd Floor

Come on out and learn how to brew your own beer, make your own mead and ferment some kraut while feeling empowered by gaining independence from our toxic industrial agriculture system.

Wednesday, March 16th

Workshop:
Beyond Hurt Feelings: The Intersections of Fatphobia, Racism, and Food Insecurity
1pm – Location TBA (@ Concordia)

This workshop will attempt to expand our understanding of fat discrimination to explore how poverty, racism, and fatphobia are in fact interwining systems of oppression with harmful material consequences.

6pm – Cooking Workshop: Demystifying “difficult” recipes. How to easily make gramma's favorites - bread, soup and pickling
at the Peoples potato kitchen,
7th floor of the Henry Hall building, Concordia 1455 De Maisonneuve W.

Thursday, March 17th
Skillshare: Wading through the Waste- The ecology of dumpsters
4pm – The Midnight Kitchen, Shatner Building, 3480 MacTavish, 3rd Floor

metro tickets for “field trip” provided

Join the Midnight Kitchen in collaboration with Food Not Bombs to learn how to “dumpster sustainably” and keep those lids unlocked. We’ll go through some ground-rules on how to do it respectfully before heading out to put our words into practice around some of the city’s hotspots.
Friday, March 18th

Film Screening – TBA

1pm – Shatner Building B-30, 3480 Mactavish, basement

Closing Dance Party!
10pm – Le Cagibi, 5490 Boulevard Saint Laurent

2011-01-17T13:11:00.000-05:00

Vegan on a Shoestring #2 now available!

2011-01-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

The People's Potato collective is back with a second edition of the ever popular Vegan on a Shoestring cookbook. This new edition builds on the original cookbook - outlining the basics of vegan cooking with a healthy dose of radical food politics and includes over 100 exciting new and revamped recipies. The focus here is on making vegan food both accessible and inexpensive while placing this way of eating within an anti-capitalist social and ecological context. The recipes found in this cookbook are the collaborative creations of the People's Potato cooks who are usually to be found cooking up free or by donation vegan meals or 400 each day at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

"The People's Potato has done it again with more fabulous recipes for vegans (and ex-vegans) who want to eat well and save their cash for shows and beer. Amazing!"
-Double Dip, Montreal Queercore band

"The latest collection of new and improved recipes will not only excite original Vegan on a Shoestring fans - not to mention their tastebuds - but will also naturally inspire new ones."
-QPIRG Concordia

Cookbooks are available for sale in our kitchen for $10-$20 sliding scale. Keep posted for other ordering information.

PEOPLE'S POTATO FULL TIME CONCORDIA STUDENT JOB OFFER: PART TIME COLLECTIVE MEMBER

2010-07-10T23:53:00.000-04:00

The People's Potato, a not-for-profit food service organization is looking for a part time staff member. The primary activity of the People's Potato is to serve daily vegan meals to approximately 400 students at Concordia University. The long-term vision of the project is to provide a healthy and ethical alternative to the corporate domination of the food system.

The People's Potato is a worker-run consensus-based organization and applicants must be willing to work within a collective structure. The People's Potato is a unique working environment in which employees both guide and execute the vision of the organization.

We recognize the present nonexistence of a level playing field, with regards to people's experiences and job qualifications, given the structural injustice that affects those who exist within patriarchal racist capitalism. As a result, we recognize the need to compensate for these inequalities in our hiring policy.

We encourage applicants to describe the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the People's Potato, in their cover letter.

The People's Potato undertakes its hiring procedures upon the basis of employment equity. Please indicate in your cover letter if you would like to be considered for employment equity and include the following sentence “I would like to be included for employment equity.” Please note that we do not require applicants to specify the basis on which they are applying for employment equity.

The individual(s) hired will participate in collective meetings, kitchen work and other portfolios to be decided following the hiring procedure.

Requirements include:

-Must be a full time Concordia student in 2010-2011

-Self-motivated/self-directed.

-Strong organizational skills.

-Ability to work closely with others.

-An aptitude for applying new skills

-An aptitude to cook (both small and large scale)

-Dedication to or involvement in social justice causes

-Ability to work in English and French

Assets:

-Basic computer skills

-Knowledge of food politics

-Experience with vegan and/or vegetarian cooking

-Knowledge of consensus-based decision making processes

-Willingness to facilitate meetings

-Valid driver's license

Remuneration: $13.91/hour Hours/Week: 10-15 hours

The deadline for applications is August 9th at 5pm.

Applications and cover letters can be sent via fax: (514) 848-7450

(ATT:People's Potato), e-mail: peoplespotato@gmail.com or dropped off in person to the CSU office located at 1455 de Maisonneuve W. H-711. Only applicants accepted for interviews will be contacted. Position to start the week of August 16^th.

***For more information about the People's Potato and to see our constitution, please refer to our website: peoplepotato.blogspot.com

Offre d'emploi pour un(e) étudiant(e) a temps plein a Concordia : Membre du collectif à temps partiel

La Patate du Peuple, un organisme à but non-lucratif oeuvrant dans le domaine de l'alimentation, est à la recherche de deux employé(e)s à temps partiel. L'activité principale de l'organisme consiste à servir des repas végétaliens à environ 400 personnes par jour à l'Université Concordia. Sa vision à long terme est d'offrir une alternative saine et éthique à la domination des corporations sur la production et les échanges alimentaires.

La Patate du Peuple est un organisme collectivement geré par ses employé(e)s où chacun(e) participe à la prise de décisions par consensus, ainsi tout(e) candidat(e) doit être prêt(e) à travailler dans une structure de gestion collective.

Nous reconnaissons l'inexistence d'un terrain juste, en rapport avec les expériences de vie et les qualifications pour un emploi de différentes personnes, étant donné l'injustice structurelle qui affectent ceux et celles qui vivent sous le système capitaliste, patriarcale et raciste. Résultant de ceci, nous reconnaissons le besoin de compenser pour ces inégalités dans notre politique d'embauche.

Nous encourageons les candidat(e)s d'écrire, dans leurs lettres d'intention, les contributions uniques qu'ils ou elles peuvent apporter à La Patate du Peuple, basées sur leurs expériences diverses.

Ce processus d'embauche se fera selon les principes d'équité d’emploi. Si vous désirez être considéré(e) pour l’équité d’emploi, mentionnez la phrase suivante dans votre letter d’intention: “Je voudrais être considéré(e) pour l'équité d'emploi.” Aussi, veuillez noter que vous n'avez pas à spécifier les conditons pour lesquelles vous demandez d'être considéré(e) pour l'équité d’emploi.

Les personnes engagées participeront aux réunions du collectif, au travail dans la cuisine, ainsi qu'à d'autres portfolios à définir en collectif.

Expériences requises:

- Être un(e) etudiant(e) a temps plein a Concordia pour l’année scholaire 2010-2011.

-Être motivé(e) et autonome

-Avoir de bonnes habilités organisationelles

-Capacité de travailler de près avec les autres

-Apte à appliquer de nouvelles connaisances

-Apte à cuisiner

-Participation au mouvements pour la justice sociale

-Capacité de travailler en anglais et en français

Atouts:

-Connaissance de base des ordinateurs

-Connaissance du système d'alimentation

-Expérience en cuisine végétalienne et/ou végétarienne

-Connaisance de la prise de décision par consensus

-Vouloir animer des reunions

-Permis de conduire valide

*Rénumération: 13,91$/hr, 10-15 heures par semaine

**Date limite pour appliquer : 9 août, 2010

Les applications peuvent être envoyées par fax au (514) 848-7450 (ATT: People's Potato), par courriel: peoplespotato@gmail.com ou déposées en personne au 1455 de Maisonneuve ouest, salle H-711. Seulement les applicant(e)s retenu(e)s seront contacté(e)s pour une entrevue

***Emploi debutant le 16 août, 2010.

****Pour de plus amples informations sur La Patate du Peuple et pour consulter notre constitution, veuillez vous référer à notre site internet: http://peoplespotato.blogspot.com

Full Time Job Offer

2010-06-10T22:38:00.000-04:00

Summer 2010
PEOPLE'S POTATO JOB OFFER:
FULL TIME COLLECTIVE MEMBER

The People's Potato, a not-for-profit food service organization is looking for a full time staff member. The primary activity of the People's Potato is to serve daily vegan meals to approximately 400 students at Concordia University. The long-term vision of the project is to provide a healthy and ethical alternative to the corporate domination of the food system.

The People's Potato is a worker-run consensus-based organization and applicants must be willing to work within a collective structure. The People's Potato is a unique working environment in which employees both guide and execute the vision of the organization.

We recognize the present nonexistence of a level playing field, with regards to people's experiences and job qualifications, given the structural injustice that affects those who exist within patriarchal racist capitalism. As a result, we recognize the need to compensate for these inequalities in our hiring policy.

We encourage applicants to describe the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the People's Potato, in their cover letter.

The People's Potato undertakes its hiring procedures upon the basis of employment equity. Please indicate in your cover letter if you would like to be considered for employment equity and include the following sentence “I would like to be included for employment equity.” Please note that we do not require applicants to specify the basis on which they are applying for employment equity.

The individual(s) hired will participate in collective meetings, kitchen work and other portfolios to be decided following the hiring procedure.

Requirements include:
-Self-motivated/self-directed.
-Strong organizational skills.
-Ability to work closely with others.
-An aptitude for applying new skills
-An aptitude to cook (both small and large scale)
-Dedication to or involvement in social justice causes
-Ability to work in English and French
-Valid driver's license

Assets:
-Basic computer skills
-Knowledge of food politics
-Experience with vegan and/or vegetarian cooking
-Knowledge of consensus-based decision making processes
-Willingness to facilitate meetings

Remuneration: $13.91/hour Hours/Week: 30/35 hours

The deadline for applications is June 30th 2010 at 5pm
Applications and cover letters can be sent via fax: (514) 848-7450
(ATT:People's Potato), e-mail: peoplespotato@gmail.com or dropped off in person to the CSU office located at 1455 de Maisonneuve W. H-711. Only applicants accepted for interviews will be contacted. Position to start the week of August 16th 2010.

2010-06-03T17:20:00.000-04:00

People's Potato presents the annual Planting Party! It's happening this Friday, June 4th
from 9am - 12pm, and 4pm - 7pm. So, come reunite with friends over fresh lemonade and fruits galor and get your garden on! Don't forget your garden boots and gloves, and come help us plant this years crops of tomatoes, lettuce, beets, herbs, etc. in our new permaculture designed garden!

The garden is located at the north end of the east parking lot at Loyola campus. For google maps, use 7079 Terrebonne. Otherwise, enter the campus near the shuttle bus stop and walk straight to the back, through the parking lot, past the giant composter, and we're right there! See you there!

The Kitchen is Closed for Summer!

2010-04-28T15:59:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends of the Potato,
Our kitchen will be closing on May 1st for the summer and will reopen when Concordia's fall semester begins again on Spetember 7, 2010. You are welcome to come volunteer with us in our garden over the summer months. For more information about the garden and how you can get involved, send an e-mail to peoplespotato@gmail.com. Have a great summer and we'll see you again in the fall!!!

PUT YOUR POLITICS WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS! MARCH 15 - 19, 2010++++++++++

2010-03-11T13:13:00.001-05:00

Tired of green-washed capitalism, frustrated with rhetoric around sustainable consumerism, and bored with documentaries that only talk about Monsanto, "Put Your Politics Where Your Mouth Is!" aims to radicalize the politics around what ends up on your plate (and what gets left behind.) What are the links between food and environmental and social justice? How is food implicated in capitalism, colonialism, white supremacy and the gendered division of labour? What is food sovereignty, and what does it look like? How will we shut down capitalist food production for good?

Join the Midnight Kitchen and People's Potato for a week of workshops, discussions and speakers to fill your hearts, minds and bellies. (MK and the Potato also serve by-donation, vegan lunches every day of the week!)

Come 'round the kitchen table and put your politics where your mouth is!

SCHEDULE

MONDAY, March 15 at 7pm
Arts Building, Room 145, 853 Sherbrooke Ouest, McGill University
Lecture: "Food Politics: The Big Picture", presented by Prof. Satoshi Ikeda
This lecture presents an introduction to the global picture of food politics -- it's more just about food. Satoshi Ikeda teaches Globalization and The Political Economy of Food in the Sociology/Anthropology department at Concordia.

TUESDAY, March 16 at 2:30pm
Meet at Midnight Kitchen, Room 304, 3480 McTavish, McGill
Tour: Radical Food Walking Tour
This walking tour will examine the privatization of food provision at McGill University over the past decade, as well as student initiatives to create autonomous, local and accessible food choices on campus. Hosted by Maggie Schreiner.

TUESDAY, March 16 at 5pm
Midnight Kitchen, McGill
Workshop: Indoor Gardening
Come learn about the basics of growing food and herbs in your own home. We will be talking about soil composition, light, water and how to work with our very seasonal city. We will also be making soil and starting seedlings. Bring a container to take one home with you! Hosted by Campus Crops.

WEDNESDAY, March 17 at 2:30pm
Midnight Kitchen, McGill
Workshop: Fermentation
Fermentation! It's awesome and tasty. Come and make sauerkraut and coconut chutney, and talk about why fermentation is so cool. Hosted by Catherine Huston.

WEDNESDAY, March 17 at 5:30pm
Room 302, 3480 McTavish, McGill
Discussion: The Midnight Kitchen Collective Speaks
A panel presentation and discussion from members of the Midnight Kitchen collective. Ever wondered what MK is about behind its (delicious) lunches? This event brings an anti-oppression framework to food politics, and highlights how food is implicated in topics as wide-ranging as fair trade labelling, feminism, class and collective health.

THURSDAY, March 18 at 4pm
QPIRG McGIll, 3647 University, McGill
Workshop: Food and the Military
A joint presentation by Demilitarize McGill and MK, this workshop examines the way in which military occupations and wars affect food systems and food sovereignty, especially in the context of neo-colonialism.

THURSDAY, March 18 at 5pm
2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy, 2110 Mackay, Concordia University
Film: "Pas de Pays sans Paysan" (en français)
Ce documentaire adopte le point de vue de cultivateurs et d'éleveurs qui dénoncent les dégâts que cause l'agriculture industrielle. Pensons ici à la pollution et à la destruction des écosystèmes, sans compter la prolifération de cultures d'OGM, qui fait peser une menace additionnelle sur la biodiversité et l'autonomie des paysans. En Europe comme en Amérique, des paysans proposent une autre vision de l'agriculture et mettent en oeuvre des pratiques soucieuses de l'environnement et de la pérennité de l'agriculture.

FRIDAY, March 19 at 1:30pm
School of Community and Public Affairs, Basement, 2149 Mackay, Concordia
Conférence: "Néocolonialisme dans l'agroalimentaire au Québec", avec Marco Silvestro (en français)
Le Québec, bien que faisant partie du "premier monde", est assujetti aux logiques néocoloniales des multinationales agro-alimentaire. Qui détient le pouvoir et comment est-il exercé? Quelles sont les dynamiques de la production et de la distribution agroalimentaire? Cette conférence montrera qu'au Québec les agriculteurs sont le maillon faible d'une chaîne agroalimentaire mondiale dirigée par la recherche du profit et non pas par le désir de nourrir la population. Marco Silvestro détient un doctorat de sociologie de l'UQAM. Sa thèse portait sur la lutte de l'Union paysanne pour réformer en profondeur le régime agricole québécois. Ancien militant de l'Union paysanne, Marco Silvestro est actuellement membre du collectif La Pointe libertaire de Pointe-Saint-Charles.

FRIDAY, March 19 at 4pm
QPIRG McGill, 3647 University, McGill
Workshop: Food Production and Migrant Justice
A workshop exploring the links between food production and migrant justice. Hosted by Amanda Dorter from Le Frigo Vert.

++++++++++

For more info about the Midnight Kitchen and the People's Potato, visit our blogs:
http://themidnightkitchen.blogspot.com/
http://peoplespotato.blogspot.com/

Interested in radical environmental justice? Check out the Study in Action conference on March 12-14:
http://qpirgconcordia.org/studyinaction/

Workers without Bosses

2010-01-25T12:04:00.000-05:00

Ven 29 jan – Montréal – Université Concordia à 14h00 au 2149 Mackay
(local CI-01) (en anglais)
Pour plus d'infos, cliquez ici

2010-01-25T11:52:00.000-05:00

The People’s Potato Presents

Totally Tempeh:

A Hands-on Workshop

Wednesday, January 27, 5pm

^{The People’s Potato Kitchen}

^{(1455 de Maisonneuve west, 7th floor, Hall Building,}^Concordia^University)

^{Childcare provided with 24-hour advanced notice. E-mail}^{peoplespotato@gmail.com or call 514-848-2424 x7590}

BACK WITH A BANG!

2009-09-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

The People's Potato is back from summer break and we're pumped for this upcoming year of serving and special events!

We serve up delicious and pay-by-donation vegan food (containing no animal products) every weekday at 12:30 on the 7th floor of the Hall building. Join us for lunch, and come by anytime to volunteer: you can choose from a variety of fun tasks such as chopping veggies, serving food to your friends, or getting your hands soap-suddy with dish washing!

In the coming weeks, we'll be kick-starting our street-serving initiative. In addition to serving lunch in the Hall building, this project seeks to increase our accessibility by bringing sandwiches to the streets! We rely heavily on volunteers to make this happen, so if you're interested, come get involved!

In solidarity with other anti-corporate and anti-oppression student and community organizations, we also cater events and/or make our kitchen space available for use. If your group is interested, please fill out the the kitchen request form and send it to peoplespotato@gmail.com

Thanks and stay tuned,
The People's Potato

2009-06-26T16:37:00.000-04:00

Offre d'emploi: Membre du collectif à temps partiel

La Patate du Peuple, un organisme à but non-lucratif oeuvrant dans le domaine de l'alimentation, est à la recherche de deux employé(e)s à temps partiel. L'activité principale de l'organisme consiste à servir des repas végétaliens à environ 400 personnes par jour à l'Université Concordia. Sa vision à long terme est d'offrir une alternative saine et éthique à la domination des corporations sur la production et les échanges alimentaires.

La Patate du Peuple est un organisme collectivement geré par ses employé(e)s où chacun(e) participe à la prise de décisions par consensus, ainsi tout(e) candidat(e) doit être prêt(e) à travailler dans une structure de gestion collective.

Nous encourageons les candidat(e)s d'écrire, dans leurs lettres d'intention, les contributions uniques qu'ils ou elles peuvent apporter à La Patate du Peuple, basées sur leurs expériences diverses.

Les personnes engagées participeront aux réunions du collectif, au travail dans la cuisine, ainsi qu'à d'autres portfolios à définir en collectif.

Expériences requises:

-Être motivé(e) et autonome

-Avoir de bonnes habilités organisationelles

-Capacité de travailler de près avec les autres

-Apte à appliquer de nouvelles connaisances

-Apte à cuisiner

-Participation au mouvements pour la justice sociale

-Capacité de travailler en anglais et en français

Atouts:

-Connaissance de base des ordinateurs

-Connaissance du système d'alimentation

-Expérience en cuisine végétalienne et/ou végétarienne

-Connaisance de la prise de décision par consensus

-Vouloir animer des reunions

-Permis de conduire valide

*Rénumération: 13,91$/hr, 15-20 heures par semaine

**Date limite pour appliquer : 17 juillet, 2009

***Emploi debutant le 17 août, 2009.

****Pour de plus amples informations sur La Patate du Peuple et pour consulter notre constitution, veuillez vous référer à notre site internet: http://peoplespotato.blogspot.com

JOB OFFER: PART TIME COLLECTIVE MEMBER

The People's Potato, a not-for-profit food service organization is looking for 2 part time staff members. The primary activity of the People's Potato is to serve daily vegan meals to approximately 400 students at Concordia University. The long-term vision of the project is to provide a healthy and ethical alternative to the corporate domination of the food system.

We encourage applicants to describe the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the People's Potato, in their cover letter.

The individual(s) hired will participate in collective meetings, kitchen work and other portfolios to be decided following the hiring procedure.

Requirements include:

-Self-motivated/self-directed.

-Strong organizational skills.

-Ability to work closely with others.

-An aptitude for applying new skills

-An aptitude to cook (both small and large scale)

-Dedication to or involvement in social justice causes

-Ability to work in English and French

-Valid driver's license

Assets:

-Basic computer skills

-Knowledge of food politics

-Experience with vegan and/or vegetarian cooking

-Knowledge of consensus-based decision making processes

-Willingness to facilitate meetings

Remuneration: $13.91/hour Hours/Week: 15-20 hours

The deadline for applications is July 17^th at 5pm

Applications and cover letters can be sent via fax: (514) 848-7450

***For more information about the People's Potato and to see our constitution, please refer to our website:peoplepotato.blogspot.com

2009-06-26T16:26:00.000-04:00

JOB OFFER: FULL TIME COLLECTIVE MEMBER

The People's Potato, a not-for-profit food service organization is looking for a full time staff member. The primary activity of the People's Potato is to serve daily vegan meals to approximately 400 students at Concordia University. The long-term vision of the project is to provide a healthy and ethical alternative to the corporate domination of the food system.

We encourage applicants to describe the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the People's Potato, in their cover letter.

The individual(s) hired will participate in collective meetings, kitchen work and other portfolios to be decided following the hiring procedure.

Requirements include:

-Self-motivated/self-directed.

-Strong organizational skills.

-Ability to work closely with others.

-An aptitude for applying new skills

-An aptitude to cook (both small and large scale)

-Dedication to or involvement in social justice causes

-Ability to work in English and French

-Valid driver's license

Assets:

-Basic computer skills

-Knowledge of food politics

-Experience with vegan and/or vegetarian cooking

-Knowledge of consensus-based decision making processes

-Willingness to facilitate meetings

Remuneration: $13.91/hour Hours/Week: 30/35 hours

The deadline for applications is July 17^th at 5pm

Applications and cover letters can be sent via fax: (514) 848-7450

***For more information about the People's Potato and to see our constitution, please refer to our website: peoplepotato.blogspot.com

Offre d'emploi: Membre du collectif à temps plein

La Patate du Peuple, un organisme à but non-lucratif oeuvrant dans le domaine de l'alimentation, est à la recherche d'un(e) employé(e) à temps plein. L'activité principale de l'organisme consiste à servir des repas végétaliens à environ 400 personnes par jour à l'Université Concordia. Sa vision à long terme est d'offrir une alternative saine et éthique à la domination des corporations sur la production et les échanges alimentaires.

Les personnes engagées participeront aux réunions du collectif, au travail dans la cuisine, ainsi qu'à d'autres portfolios à définir en collectif.

Expériences requises:

-Être motivé(e) et autonome

-Avoir de bonnes habilités organisationelles

-Capacité de travailler de près avec les autres

-Apte à appliquer de nouvelles connaisances

-Apte à cuisiner

-Participation au mouvements pour la justice sociale

-Permis de conduire valide

-Capacité de travailler en anglais et en français

Atouts:

-Connaissance de base des ordinateurs

-Connaissance du système d'alimentation

-Expérience en cuisine végétalienne et/ou végétarienne

-Connaisance de la prise de décision par consensus

-Vouloir animer des réunions

*Rénumération: 13,91$/hr, 30-35 heures par semaine

**Date limite pour appliquer : 17 juillet, 2009

***Emploi debutant le 17 août, 2009.

****Pour de plus amples informations sur La Patate du Peuple et pour consulter notre constitution, veuillez vous référer à notre site internet: http://peoplespotato.blogspot.com

Join us in our garden this summer!

2009-06-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

Our garden is currently up and running and we need volunteers to help us with planting, weeding, harvesting and delivering our produce to our donation points.

If you would like to get involved in working in the garden this year, contact us via our garden list at: the-peoples-garden@googlegroups.com

Help Support the People's Potato!

2009-02-06T15:06:00.000-05:00

We are now selling t-shirts and cotton bags as a fundraiser for the ongoing services of the People's Potato. Come by our kitchen weekdays between 9-2:30 if you would like to buy one. They are also available most Tuesdays at our table beside the Potato food line up.

T-shirts come in small, medium, large and extra large and cost $10-$15 sliding scale.

Bags are $5.

Thanks to artist Veronica Post for the designs!

Feb. 3rd : Roti Workshop!

2009-01-26T14:56:00.001-05:00

There's no such as baaaad publicity!

2009-01-15T13:36:00.000-05:00

From Rantline, in the Mirror:

Hey, this doesn’t have much to do with music but I’m just so pissed off. I was just eating at the PEOPLE’S POTATO up in Concordia—they offer free food every day to students. I sat down with this girl and I didn’t know she was a total psycho until she started telling me I was a terrible person because I’m not VEGAN. Man, I was vegan for seven years! And I was so tired for those seven years and then one day I ate some CHICKEN and you know what? I felt great! It was like ANTI-DEPRESSANTS or something. So I started eating meat again. So I just want to say: girl from the People’s Potato, I’m just going to keep eating meat, you didn’t change my mind. But you did ruin my day.

Editor's notes:
Actually, we offer food by-donation every day, and it's for anyone, not just students.
If you see any other People's Potato junk out there, let us know!

and.......we're back!

2009-01-12T10:26:00.001-05:00

Hey all,
And welcome to 2009! Happy New Year to everyone.
We began serving again on January 5. Come check us out, as usual,
every Monday - Friday, 12:30 - 2:00 pm, on the 7th floor of the
Hall Building.

xo The Potato gang

Dinner and a Movie with the People's Potato

2008-11-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

COME TO OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING!

2008-11-04T11:13:00.000-05:00

The People's Potato is having its Annual General Assembly this Thursday, November 6.
At our meeting, we will be reporting on the activities of the Potato in the past year, and it is a time for you to ask whatever questions you have. We encourage everyone to come and eat our wonderful tofu pot pie, and listen to our stories, and pose questions.
We will then elect our board of directors for the year. Interested in being more involved in the Potato? Helping us out with our campaigns and assemblies? Run for the board! It's fun.
But most of all,
COME TO THE ASSEMBLY AND HANG OUT WITH US.
5:30 PM DINNER, 6:00 PM MEETING.

FREE FOOD! FREE CHILDCARE (Please call us 514-848-7474 x7590 to confirm childcare arrangements)

VOTE YES FOR THE PEOPLE'S POTATO!

2008-10-14T15:35:00.001-04:00

HEY!
Do you love the People's Potato? Do you think that paying for one meal and getting one meal every day for the entire semester instead is a good deal?
We do too!
The People's Potato needs to increase its fee levy in order to remain in operation. We haven't had an increase in our fee levy since 2000, and lord knows prices have gone up since then!
We are campaigning for an increase from 0.27 cents/credit to 0.37 cents/credit.
GO TO VOTE OCTOBER 27, 28, 29 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HALL BUILDING TO KEEP THE POTATO ALIVE!

WE'RE BACK!

2008-09-23T14:44:00.001-04:00

The People's Potato is back from summer vacation!

We welcome you to come to eat on the 7th floor of the Hall Building, every weekday from 12:30 - 2:00.

Come volunteer in the kitchen in order to eat right away! We accept volunteers to help us cook and wash dishes, every day from 9 am to 3 pm!

Thanks to everyone who attended the garden party!

2008-05-30T14:43:00.000-04:00

The garden party was a great success! With about 25 volunteers we were able to plant most of our seeds and seedlings for the year and got our garden off to a great start! Check out our photos from the event.

We are still looking for people who want to get involved in the garden. We are now holding regular gardening times for anyone interested in stopping by.

Tuesday mornings 9:30 - 1:30

Tuesday evenings starting at 7

Thursday mornings 9:30 - 1:30

At these times someone who is an experienced gardener will be at the garden and we hope to get a decent sized group together at each of these times to work on weeding, composting and designing our fruit section of the garden.

If it is raining heavily or storming consider the session cancelled.

If you cannot come to the garden at one of these times but would like to volunteer please contact us at potatogarden@googlegroups.com and we can arrange alternate times.
Likewise if you would like to arrange a gardening session for a group at another time please email the list.

(for directions to the garden see the previous post about the garden party)

For more info email us at potatogarden@googlegroups.com (please note we won`t be answering our main phone line during the summer)

People`s Potato Garden Planting Party

2008-05-08T17:08:00.000-04:00

Everyone is invited to the People`s Potato Garden at the Loyola Campus to plant our vegetable seeds and seedlings to get our garden started for the season.

Date: Friday May 23, 2008

Time: 10:30 – 1:00

Activities: planting seeds and seedlings, making a scarecrow, preparing garden beds, weeding, turning the compost, etc. A wading pool will be set up if it is warm!

If it is raining, the event will not be held that day. If it rains we will hold the event on Saturday May 24 (same time).

Bring a spade or shovel if you have one!

Everyone is welcome, kid friendly event.

Snacks will be provided.

Location: Garden is located beside 7079 Terrebonne

Directions:

Three possible ways to get to the garden: (signs will be posted)

1- Take the 51 bus from Snowdon and get off by the chapel at the Concordia Loyola campus on West Broadway. Enter beside chapel and walk down this road until it ends. Turn left past the residences near the large dumpster.

2. Take the shuttle bus from Sir George Williams campus. Walk straight through the campus from the bus stop, pass the library building, pass dumpster and you will see the garden.

3. Take the 105 bus from Vendome, head towards the library building and follow directions from 2. above.

For more information email: potatogarden@googlegroups.com

Get involved in our garden this summer

2008-04-23T13:41:00.000-04:00

Each summer we work with volunteers to grow organic vegetables and distribute them to communities that do not have regular access to quality vegetables. Volunteers who work with us have access to taking vegetables home as well.

We are currently in the process of getting our garden at the Loyola campus up and running for the 2008 summer season. At the moment we've got seedlings growing in the Concordia rooftop greenhouse, we're working the compost and we are establishing new beds to plant in. We will begin planting near the end of May. If you are interested in volunteering to work in the garden send an email to our group list potatogarden@googlegroups.com. We will let you know when we are working and will inform you of special events we have planned for the garden. We welcome everyone regardless of level of experience in gardening. If you have any special skills you would like to put to work let us know.

Goodbye and thank you for all the dirty dishes!

2008-04-23T11:48:00.000-04:00

THE PEOPLE'S POTATO HAS STOPPED SERVING FOR THIS YEAR. THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ENJOYED OUR SERVINGS.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

(or in our garden at the Loyola campus this summer)

Wednesday April 2 -- Our General Assembly

2008-03-27T12:40:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow!: Food Sovereignty in Quebec

2008-03-18T14:47:00.001-04:00

March 12 workshop

2008-03-11T15:02:00.000-04:00

L’Association Facultaire Étudiante des Sciences Humaines de l’UQAM poursuit la grève

2008-03-11T09:53:00.000-04:00

Montréal, 10 mars – Réuni-e-s en assemblée générale, les étudiantes et les étudiants en sciences humaines de l’UQAM ont choisi de reconduire la grève générale illimitée pour lutter contre le plan de redressement, déposé mardi dernier par le conseil d’administration de l’UQAM, et pour un réinvestissement en éducation. C’est 62,3 % des membres présents et présentes qui ont voté en faveur de la poursuite de la grève.

En grève depuis plus de quatre semaines, l’AFESH a été rejointe par l’association étudiante de science politique, celle d’art visuel et celle d’étude littéraire. Au courant de la semaine, ce sont trois autres associations étudiantes facultaires qui tiendront des assemblées générales de grève. « L’administration nous disait d’attendre le dépôt du plan de redressement avant de s’y opposer. Maintenant que le plan de redressement a été déposé, on réalise que la situation est encore pire qu’on ne le craignait ! », s’exclame Étienne Guérette, secrétaire aux affaires uqamiennes de l’AFESH-UQAM.

Les étudiants et étudiantes de sciences humaines lancent un message à l’administration de l’UQAM, mais aussi au gouvernement libéral. « Au lieu de se battre pour obtenir un réel réinvestissement en éducation, l’administration continue de se plier aux moindres demandes du gouvernement. Non seulement le plan de redressement nuit à la mission éducative de l’UQAM, mais en plus il ne sert strictement à rien, car le gouvernement refuse de financer adéquatement notre université », explique Alex Bourdon-Charest, secrétaire à la coordination de l’AFESH-UQAM.

Suite à cette assemblée générale, plusieurs centaines de grévistes ont envahi les rues du centre-ville pour manifester leur mécontentement face au plan de redressement de l’UQAM. De nombreuses manifestations et actions sont prévues tout au long de la semaine.

30-

Renseignements :

Étienne Guérette, Secrétaire aux affaires uqamiennes de l’AFESH-UQAM, 514-435-9372

Alex Bourdon-Charest, Secrétaire à la coordination de l’AFESH-UQAM, 514-987-3000 poste 2633

International Women's Day

2008-02-18T16:50:00.000-05:00

JOIN US the 1st and 8th March 2008!

The March 8th Committee of Women of Diverse Origins Presents:

International Women's Day:
Women Take Back Democratic Space!

*** Conference: March 1st, 2008 ***
*** Demonstration: March 8, 2008 ***

1) CONFERENCE

March 1st 2008
Université de Montréal,
3200 Jean-Brilliant
9am-6pm
2nd floor (metro Côte-des-neiges)

Suggested Contribution: $5(no one turned away)

**Child Care
**Simultaneous Translation
**Lunch will be provided

Men are welcome

Presentations/Performances by:

White Bear Woman (Danka Brewer), Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation
Sumaiya Ali, singer based in Washington D.C
Shadi Amin, Journaliste and Feminist living in exile in Germany
Delia DeVeyra, PINAY-Montreal
Dissidanse, Montreal-based feminist, progressive music group
Connie Bragas-Regalado, MIGRANTE International.
Beatrize Lujan, Centro de Estudios y Taller Laboral (CETLAC), Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Aliyah/Truth, spoken word artist based in Montreal

Information:
Tel : (514) 342-2111

2) DEMONSTRATION: Women Take Back the Streets!

**Child-friendly demonstration
**WE ENCOURAGE MEN TO JOIN US IN SOLIDARITY!

On March 8th, we continue the struggle against deportations and detentions,
gender violence, police brutality, criminalization, poverty, precarious
status, racial profiling, sexist and racist immigration policies and war.

Saturday, March 8th, 12pm (noon)
Coin Queen Mary & Decelles
(métro Côte des Neiges)
autobus 165,166

cultural perfomance and food following the march

Every year in montreal - like in many other places across the globe, we take to the streets to denounce patriarchy and sexism and to protest against colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, racism, and fundamentalism as systems of domination that victimize us and our sisters globally by enforcing and reinforcing violence against women. On March 8th, we continue the struggle against deportations and detentions, gender violence, police brutality, criminalization, poverty, precarious status, racial profiling, sexist and racist immigration policies and war.

Every year, as we march down the streets of montreal, we refuse to be infantilized or objectified by the state and its patriarchal institutions. We assert our power to fight for our futures and determine our destinies, as full subjects of our own liberation. We also take to the streets to celebrate and stand in solidarity with the daily struggles of our sisters, here on occupied Indigenous land and throughout the Global South.

This year, we will remember the violence perpetrated by the montreal police against women and their allies during the 2007 International Women's day demonstration. Last year's police attack on women is testament to the patriarchal violence used by the state to control and criminalize women's fight for true justice and dignity. We refuse to be afraid, and this year again, we will take back the streets!

Information:
Tel: (514) 398-3323
Email: comite8mars@gmail.com

RESIST 2010

2008-02-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

We recently served a meal at the “Take Back The Land or Die Tryin’” event held at the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal. The speakers were Kanahus Pellkey of the Native Youth Movement and Dustin Johnson of the Ts’mksi’yen Nation who are on tour to raise awareness about the devastating effects of the 2010 Olympic games on Native people and poor people in the Vancouver and outlying areas. The following article gives some background on the situation and the resistance to the upcoming games.

No to the 2010 Olympics!

Preparations are now underway for the 2010 Winter Olympics being held in and around Vancouver B.C. - on unceded Native land - creating a climate of outrage and protest from many Native groups and their supporters. The historical basis to the conflict, the dispossession of Native land and the cultural insensitivity of the International Olympic Committee during the bid process have led to some Native leaders calling on “the international world, including athletes and tourists, not to infringe on our Rights and Title, and stay away from the 2010 Games” (Sutikalh Camp, 2003). All those who support Native sovereignty, self determination and land rights should lend their voices to this increasing movement to cancel the Olympics and stop all related development on St’at’imc, Lil’wat, Squamish and Coast Salish territories.

Native Land and Corporate Takeover

The development of resorts related to the winter Olympics will mean major expansion of already existing ski hills, new resorts on undeveloped mountains, roads to accommodate tourists, hotels and electricity lines connecting them all in an area that has previously been pristine wilderness. Not the least of which is the “sea to sky” highway a massive 600 million dollar project (Sutikalh Camp, 2003). Canada, the Vancouver Olympic Committee and the corporate developers involved are in fact stealing and destroying Native land to use for the Olympics and massive economic development that will see this area become a major resort destination, unquestionably changing the land and the Native peoples of this area relationship to it forever. At issue here is a clash in understandings about the meaning and importance of the land. To many of the traditionalist Native people in the area, the land is sacred, intimately connected to their history, as a source of food, medicine and identity. Not only do massive resorts destroy wilderness habitats and eco-systems, the roads they require serve to open up the area to even more development and resource extraction. No surprise than, that the Native people who depend on the land for the survival of their traditional way of life are against this development. Many feel it is yet another example of cultural genocide that has been occurring here for the past 500 years.

The Political Dimension

Underpinning this conflict is the history of B.C. and the fact that many Native people feel that the 2010 Olympics are one more insult and one more way their sovereignty is being eroded in a province that is run by a government that they see as illegitimate. Most of B.C. is currently unceded sovereign Indian territory with some areas covered by what are considered the fraudulent numbered treaties and the Douglas treaties. Therefore, many Native people from around the world feel that the Canadian and B.C. government has no claim to the land let alone any rights to do business upon it. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 which was reaffirmed in the 1982 Constitution Act is seen as a reaffirmation of the fact that this land has not been given up because this legal document required that treaties be signed before and trade or settlement in the area could begin and treaties were not signed. According to Rosalin Sam of the Lil’wat Nation, the International Olympic Committee did not consult all of the bands who would be directly affected by the games but chose to speak to a few development friendly Native leaders and band councils and ignored all others, particularly dissenting voices (Naomi Klein, 2003).

The Resistance to the 2010 Games

Native people in the area - such as the Shuswap - have been fighting against resort development for years as B.C. attempts to develop the Whistler area, north of Vancouver, into a world renowned ski destination. Native groups such as the Native Youth Movement and community members have initiated opposition to resorts such as Sunpeaks and Cayoosh; they have set up protest camps on the land in question and waged a massive public information campaign including leafleting, speaking tours and website creation. The same thing has been done in the Melvin creek area to stop the development of the Olympic ski resort owned in part by former Olympian and International Olympics Committee member Nancy Greene Raine. A growing number of concerned groups and individuals are calling on supporters from around the world to boycott the 2010 Olympics and to attend a rendezvous instead – a convergence in Vancouver that will work to shut down the Olympics or at least make it more difficult for the games to proceed. A No to 2010 Committee has been formed to organize the convergence. Some of their materials read: ”No Olympics on Stolen Land, No social cleansing” (NYM, 2003). Olympics around the world are well known for the social “cleansing” that preceeds them – the host city usually wants to appeal to world tourists by removing homeless people from the streets and gentrifying neighbourhoods usually lived in by poor and working class people. Vancouver was notorious during Expo 86 for kicking extremely low income people out of the hotels they called home in the Hastings and Main district to make room for tourists who would pay exorbitant rates for the rooms. Opponents of the games are quick to point out the environmental and social costs of the Olympic Games and want these issues to be front and center now and during the games. For more information about the anti-2010 movement see www.2010.com.

Reference List
Klein, Naomi. (2003, July 16). The Olympics Land Grab. Naomi Klein [online], retrieved November 20, 2007, from http://www.naomiklein.org
International Native Youth Movement Statement for Anti-Olympic Campaign (2003) [online], retrieved November 20, 2007 from http://mostlywater.org/nym_calls_for_boycott_and_cancellation_of_2010_winter_olympic_games
No Olympics on Stolen Land (2003, Winter). Statement from Sutikalh Camp [online], retrieved November 20, 2007, from http://www.no2010.com
2010 Olympics Website, retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/OrganizingCommittee/MediaCentre/FeatureStories/2007/11/27/76537_0711271407-872

Do You Like To Draw??

2008-02-12T12:21:00.000-05:00

The Potato is Hiring!

2008-01-28T14:51:00.000-05:00

LA PATATE DU PEUPLE/PEOPLE’S POTATO

Offre d'Emploi : Membre du collectif

The People's Potato, un organisme à but non-lucratif
oeuvrant dans le domaine de l'alimentation, est à la
recherche d'une employé-e à temps partiel. L'activité
principale du People's Potato consiste à servir des
repas végétaliens à environ 400 personnes par jour à
l'université Concordia. Sa vision à long terme est
d'offrir une alternative saine et éthique à la domination
des corporations sur les échanges alimentaires.

 The People's Potato est un organisme géré par ses
employés-es où chacun-e participe à la prise de décision
par consensus, ainsi tout-e candidat-e doit être prêt-e à
travailler dans une structure de gestion collective. Nous
encourageons les candidats-es d'écrire, dans leurs lettres
d'intention, les contributions uniques qu'ils-elles peuvent
apporter au People's Potato basées sur leurs expériences
diverses.

Nous reconnaissons les inégalités qui peuvent être reliées
à vos expériences d’emploi et à vos qualifications en raison
des injustices du système capitaliste, raciste et patriarcal.
Nous accepterons toutes les demandes pour l`équité d`embauche
durant le processus d`embauche. Si vous voulez être reconnu-e
pour l’équité d’embauche, s’il vous plait inclure dans votre
lettre « je désire être reconnu-e pour l’équité d’embauche ».

La personne engagée participera aux réunions du collectif,
au travail de cuisine, ainsi que d’autres portfolios à définir
en collectif. Les réunions du collectif ont lieu les mardi et
les jeudi après-midi de 15:30 à 17:00, la personne embauchée devra
prendre part régulièrement à ces réunions.

Qualifications :

-Être auto-motivé/e et auto-dirigé/e
-Avoir de bonnes abilitiés organisationelles
-Avoir la capacité de travailler de près avec les autres
-Avoir la capacité d’apprendre de nouvelles qualifications
-Expérience en activisme et/ou en travail orienté vers la justice sociale
-Éligible au programme travail/études international

Atouts :
-expérience en restauration et/ou cuisine industrielle
-connaissances de base de l’informatique
-Être capable de travailler en français et en anglais
-Posséder une connaissance des systèmes globaux de l'alimentation
-Expérience dans la préparation de repas végétaliens/végétariens
-Connaissance du processus de prise de décisions par consensus
-Aptitudes en animation de réunions

Rémunération : 13,91$/heure       Heures/semaine : 10-15 heures

La date limite pour soumettre votre candidature est le
15 février, 2008 à 17:00. Afin de postuler, veuillez apporter
votre CV et une lettre d'intention au bureau H-733
(pavillon Hall) à l'université Concordia, 1455 
deMaisonneuve O. Vous pouvez également nous télécopier
votre candidature au: 848-7450 (a l’attention de People’s
Potato) ou nous la faire parvenir par courriel:
peoplespotato@resist.ca. Seuls les candidats-es choisis-es
pour l’entrevue seront contactés/es. L'emploi commence la
semaine du 25 février, 2008

Pour plus d’informations sur notre organisation,
visitez notre site web :
peoplespotato.blogspot.com

THE PEOPLE’S POTATO

Job Offer: Collective Member

The People's Potato, a not-for-profit food service organization is looking for a part-time staff member. The primary activity of the People's Potato is to serve daily vegan meals to approximately 400 students at Concordia University. The long-term vision of the project is to provide a healthy and ethical alternative to the corporate domination of the food system.

The People's Potato is a worker-run consensus-based organization and applicants must be willing to work within a collective structure. The People's Potato is a unique working environment in which employees both guide and execute the vision of the organization.

We recognize the present nonexistence of a level playing field, with regards to people’s experiences and job qualifications, given the structural injustice that affects those who exist within patriarchal racist capitalism. As a result, we recognize the need to compensate for these inequalities in our hiring policy.

We encourage applicants to describe the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the People's Potato, in their cover letter.

The People’s Potato undertakes its hiring procedures upon the basis of employment equity. Please indicate in your cover letter if you would like to be considered for employment equity and include the following sentence “I would like to be included for employment equity”. Please note that we do not require applicants to specify the basis on which they are applying for employment equity.

The individual hired will participate in collective meetings, kitchen work and other portfolios to be decided following the hiring procedure. Collective meetings are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 3:30 and 5:00, the individual hired will be required to regularly attend these meetings.

Requirements include:

-Self-motivated/self-directed.
-Strong organizational skills.
-Ability to work closely with others.
-An aptitude for applying new skills
-Dedication to or involvement in social justice causes
-Eligibility for International Workstudy

Assets:

-Experience in large scale cooking and/or commercial kitchen
-Ability to work in English and French
-Basic Computer skills
-Knowledge of food politics
-Experience with vegan and/or vegetarian cooking
-Knowledge of consensus-based decision making processes
-Willingness to facilitate meetings

Remuneration: $13.91/hour Hours/Week: 10-15 hours

The deadline for applications is Friday February 15, 2008 at 5pm
Applications and cover letters can be sent via fax: (514) 848-7450 (ATT:People’s Potato),

e-mail: peoplespotato@resist.ca or dropped off in person to
the People’s Potato office located at 1455 de Maisonneuve W. H-733. Only
applicants accepted for interviews will be contacted. Position to start
the week of February 25, 2008

For more information about how the Potato functions and to see our constitution, please refer to our website: peoplepotato.blogspot.com

No Olympics on Stolen Land

2008-01-28T14:12:00.000-05:00

We will be serving food at this event

JAN. 23 : SPICE WORKSHOP

2008-01-17T15:23:00.001-05:00

COOKBOOK TITLE CONTEST

2008-01-17T15:18:00.000-05:00

TWO YEARS TOO MANY : Status for Kader now!

2008-01-15T14:33:00.000-05:00

Part of an INTERNATIONAL DAY of ACTION in support of Kader

Friday, 18 January 2008
11 am
MARCH: Two Years too Many!
Gather at Phillip's square (corner of Ste-Catherine and Place Phillips)

On 1 January 2006, more then two years ago, Abelkader Belaouni, or Kader, a non-status Algerian man, took refuge in St. Gabriel's church in Montreal to avoid deportation from Canada.

Despite an outpouring of support, he has remained a prisoner in the church ever since, unable to leave for fear of being arrested and deported. That's two years too many!

Join us on 18 January 2008 to send a loud, clear message to the Canadian Immigration Minister to Act NOW to regularize the status of Abdelkader Belaouni.

background information available at www.soutienpourkader.net

Job Posting for Le Frigo Vert Worker's Collective

2008-01-15T14:06:00.000-05:00

DEADLINE: Applications must be received no later than February 3rd at midnight.

Le Frigo Vert is a non-profit, collectively-run natural food store and social justice organization, funded by the students of Concordia University. We strive to provide a viable alternative to the current corporate food distribution system. We aim to provide affordable healthy food to the community at a fair price to producers, and to collect and share educational resources and skills that help us challenge oppressive systems.

Le Frigo Vert has an employment equity policy. Native people, people of colour, women, queer people, transgendered people, transsexual people, people with disabilities, working class people and people from any other marginalized community are strongly encouraged to apply. Please indicate in your cover letter if you would like to be considered for employment equity. To our great regret the current location of Le Frigo Vert is not wheelchair accessible.

Remuneration: $12.87 per hour
Benefits: CSU health plan option
Hours per week: Part-Time: 20 hours/week, evenings and sometimes
week-ends may be required. There is a potential to increase to 30
hours/week at the end of May.

Required Qualifications
• Commitment to anti oppression
• Must be familiar with consensus decision making
• Must be able to work in a collective, non-hierarchal structure, and
independently.

Assets
• Administrative skills
• Bilingualism
• Experience working in a retail store
• Feel free to emphasize any other personal skills you might have.
(ex: graphic design/layout skills, fundraising experience, writing
grant proposals, computer skills, building and construction skills,
naturopathic training, popular education training, etc.)

Job description
• Working the cash
• Cleaning and Stocking store
• Customer service
• Working with volunteers
• Some administrative tasks
• Education/Outreach which includes the following:
Raising public awareness about food politics, anti colonialism, anti-oppression
Challenging traditional accessibility concepts
Building a network of local organisms sharing our mandate
Making links outside of the university setting

Deadline: Applications must be received no later than February 3rd at midnight.

How to apply
email: lefrigovert@resist.ca
in person: 2130 rue Mackay, 10-7 Monday to Friday

*please no phone calls or mail submissions.
If you are selected you will be notified on Tuesday, February 5th for
the interviews taking place on the following Friday and Saturday
February 8th-9th. Starting date is March 17th.

-Le Frigo Vert Collective

Number 1 in Canada!

2008-01-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

You may have noticed that Maclean’s Magazine, in its annual issue on the state of Canadian Universities, ranked the People’s Potato as the number 1 university cafeteria in Canada!(1) The reviewer was so impressed by the food coming out of our student/worker-run workplace that he claimed that “Communism might still be around if these people had been in the kitchen.”

One of the initial goals of our project was to challenge the corporate domination of the food industry. 9 years later, even if only on a small scale, we have succeeded in a big way! Cooking with whole foods and striving to serve a balanced meal are probably the biggest factors contributing to our culinary success. But of course, none of this would be possible without the support of the Concordia student population and the dedication of the many volunteers who work with us everyday. Volunteers : thank you! You are the People’s Potato, you are the best in Canada!

Now if only we could replace all corporations with successful cooperative projects…

(1) Tied with “Sammy’s Student Exchange” at the University of Toronto. Congratulations Sammy’s!

The Abolitionist interview

2008-01-08T14:16:00.000-05:00

Interview by Claudette Vaughan

Nathan, one of our staff members, did an interview with The Abolitionist a little while ago.

CV: The Co-op was formed in 1999 after several students felt there was a need to address the issue of student poverty and hunger on campus. All these years later, has that been achieved?

NC: I would say that this has been achieved to a degree. The People's Potato gives over 200 people meals daily during the fall and winter semesters, and we provide a food bank twice a week during the exam time that follows these semesters. I know that those who accept our service really do value what we provide.

However, there are two campuses and over 30,000 students at Concordia University . Those who usually aren't at the Downtown campus (where we serve) don't have another option for an affordable, healthy meal. There have been talks of people setting up a similar service in the suburban campus, but nothing has been established as of yet. So, I guess it's hard to say... I see people eating everyday and I know that they are satisfied, but there are so many other students at the University, so I really have to wonder sometimes.

CV:The kitchen is structured so there's no hierarchy. Who decides what to cook, weekly menus, what's cheap veg at the time etc?

NC: We have weekly meetings and make decisions regarding expenses, kitchen use, etc when they need to be brought to the attention of the Collective. We keep track of our expenses and try to make decisions regarding market runs accordingly. As far as the actual cooking goes, it is usually a bit more improvised. What is cooked depends on what food is available from the food bank distributors, whom we collect much of our food from. There are some general guidelines; we have to prepare a soup, a salad, a stew, and a grain to be sure that the meal is nutritious. There are two "chefs" for each kitchen shift, and they decide on what they will prepare for the soup and stew. We prepare a grain according to what is in the stew, or we'll just make whatever we have enough time to prepare before serving. We tend to let volunteers take care of the salad. The chefs will let them know what we have, and maybe give them some ideas, and we let them go from there. Sometimes the food supply is low, but we usually figure something out!

CV: Do students enjoy eating healthy nutritious vegan food?

NC: Yes, I think they do! In the fall, students were given the opportunity to vote to continue having a fraction of student money go to the People's Potato, and an overwhelming amount voted "yes." Not all students are vegan, of course, and many who voted may not even come to the Potato for lunch, but it's certain that many find the Potato to be a valuable resource!

read the rest here

A worker run vegetarian soup kitchen

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A short history of the People's Potato...

In 1999, a group of students from Concordia University came together to start what has become a very successful student/community based project. What they had in common was a passion for vegetarian food and chefing combined with a genuine concern for food and anti-poverty politics. They decided to provide an alternative to the corporate run cafeterias on campus. The cafeteria service, at the time owned by Sodexho/Marriot, was judged overly expensive and inaccessible, because of the burger, coke and fries content of its menu, to vegetarian students, to students of muslim or jewish faith as well as to students of Concordia's numerous cultural communities.
After a few free servings of hearty vegetarian food, the People's Potato was born.

The founding of the People's Potato came at a time of growth for left politics at Concordia University. In the context of the emergence of a strong anti-capitalist wing in the anti-globalisation movement, students at Concordia set up various "political clubs," for example international solidarity groups and anarchist reading groups. Activity in and around Concordia's Quebec Public Interest Research Group (Q-PIRG) and the Concordia Women's Center was greatly increased. For a few years there was even a radical-left elected executive at the Concordia Student Union (CSU). Within this left-emergence, the People's Potato and like-minded organizations such as the Frigo Vert were able to counter the longstanding criticism that radical politics aren't practical. Not only did they bring forward anti-poverty and food politics to the student body, they implemented them on a large scale — everyday.

A workers' co-operative

The soup kitchen, commonly known as "The Potato," hasn't looked back since. It has grown from a small volunteer run collective to a worker's co-operative employing approximately 15 people. There is no hierarchy in the co-operative, as every member/worker takes part in equally in decision making at weekly collective meetings. Every member is expected to "guide and give direction to the project" and "work in a self-motivated fashion.” The lack of hierarchy by no means translates into a lack of efficiency; the People's Potato serves over 500 hungry students and folk every weekday, maintains a vibrant educational program (regular workshops, newsletter) as well as an affordable good (organic) food bag program and an outdoor serving for the homeless and coordinates massive volunteer participation in the project. An elected Board of Representatives reviews the collective's activity, making sure it is in the spirit of the project's original mission and in line with various rules of its constitution. The Board of Representatives is made up of service users and volunteers, insuring that an organic link with the People's Potato exists before this more formal relationship takes shape.

Beyond an organizational model that seeks to eliminate hierarchy in the workplace and promote participation is also a hiring policy of new workers that is based on employment equity. In the past years, the People's Potato has consciously tried to hire people from backgrounds historically and currently disadvantaged on the job market. Although it is nowhere near perfect and sometimes misunderstood, the employment equity hiring policy has made the People's Potato workers' co-operative more accessible to queers, women, people of colour and the disabled in the past years. Recently, collective discussion has indicated that hiring will also be more open in the future to non-students and people who don't have english as first language as an effort to break out even more of the "Concordia activist ghetto.”

Opposition and conflict

Obviously, the emergence of this type of project did bring up a considerable amount of opposition and conflict.

One of the first, and a rather important one, was with the existing Sodexho/Marriot (now Chartwells) cafeteria service. Not only did the People's Potato gain its kitchen space through bitter negotiations with Concordia administration from out of the abundant mainstream corporate space, it also gained a good amount of their customers! This in fact to the point where Chartwells decided in 2001 not to provide a cafeteria service for students any more, and to concentrate on what could be described as a catering service for Concordia's administration and high-brass. The flipside to this conquest of space and clientele by the People's Potato was that Chartwells was now well positioned to rid itself of much of its staff. One can imagine Chartwells workers being a tad pissed off at this student initiative that was being pointed at as the reason they were losing their jobs. The People's Potato was wise enough to recognize that the problem in itself was the Chartwells corporation and not the ordinary workers of Chartwells that were indeed those being directly exploited by the multinational. A small "save their jobs campaign" was initiated but achieved limited success, as most jobs at Chartwells were either lost or transferred elsewhere. It should be noted however that the class politics of the People's Potato were well applied with their siding against the corporation but with the workers.

Throughout the years, most conflict involving the People's Potato has revolved around funding and space. Although the project is directly funded by a levy from student dues to their union, this money is first accumulated by Concordia's administration then distributed to the People's Potato and other student-funded organizations. This results in the administration having the control to withhold funds and the opportunity to make accounting mistakes (that have been numerous). Many times, the People's Potato has had to fight the administration (using a variety of pressure tactics from letters to protests to occupations) just to access money that was already granted to them by the student body! More recently, with a right-wing executive at the head of the student union, the "Potato" has had to wage battles just to be part of negotiations on 7th floor space of the Hall Building (where the kitchen is) with the student union and university administration. The student union executive seemed convinced that it could negotiate space on the 7th floor without input or a mandate from the People's Potato and other student groups. In October 2003, a meal was served in the executive's office — shutting it down — to remind the executive of the union that it couldn't act against student interests. The position of the People's Potato is to grant the entire 7th floor space to student projects (including the "People's Kitchen" and eating area), a position that contradicts the plans of the administration, which seeks to renovate and build income generating conference rooms. This is but one of many examples of battles for space and funding. Even though the People's Potato is an established and respected student/community based project that has proven its usefulness to the Concordia community, the larger fight against capitalist interests in the university is far from over.

The importance of building alternatives

The People's Potato has inspired similar projects at other universities and schools in Montreal and in the rest of Canada. Its importance and the interest it inspires is multi-faceted. In terms of addressing student poverty, it has set a standard for countering hunger amongst a student population. As the cost of education increases in Canada every year, students from low-income, working class backgrounds will have to find (or initiate) places such as the People's Potato that are able to remedy problems occurring from poverty while fighting back against them. In terms of building non-hierarchical workplaces and offering decent employment to students/workers from different social backgrounds, the chosen workers' co-operative model shows itself to be one of the best in the context of capitalism. For anarchists and anti-capitalists in general who may be reading this publication, it offers a glimpse of how a self-managed workplaces could function in a revolutionary society.

To finish, it is important to note that a project like the People's Potato cannot live on its own. It depends firstly on the funding of the student body, organized into an imperfect but essential student union. It also depends on the countless hours of volunteer work put in by supporting students and community members. It's not enough to have a great idea to build an alternative project, what's needed is organization, collective resources and dedication.

Principles and Projects

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Accessibility: We maintain a by-donation policy to ensure that everyone can eat at the Potato, regardless of financial circumstances. Also, our commitment to be vegan is partly to ensure that our food is accessible. We cater to the religious, ethical and dietary needs of all students. As long as we have food, we never turn a student away. We feel that meeting the basic needs of all students creates a more accessible university.

Worker Empowerment: Our principles of paying all workers at an equal rate and making decisions by consensus are part of our vision of creating a non-hierarchical, supportive work place. We hope that everyone working on the project can contribute their special talents equally, take responsibility and initiative in the work they do, and at the same time, be able to learn new skills.

Environmental Sustainability: We strive to be kind to the environment by producing as little waste as possible. We buy in bulk, avoiding packaging. We compost all of our organic material, and recycle most of the rest, so we produce virtually no garbage for the 400-600 meals we serve. The beans, grains and fresh produce we use are lower down on the food chain and take less energy to grow than raising meat. We buy fresh produce from the farmers market, as shopping locally supports local farmers and the environment.

Health: We believe in serving the healthiest meal possible. Accordingly, we use unprocessed whole foods and ensure that every meal is nutritionally balanced. Our education program also addresses nutritional concerns, and gives students the tools to cook healthy vegetarian food on their own.

Building Alternatives: Our commitment to creating an empowering work space is part of our larger goal of building alternatives to corporate-dominated capitalist methods of doing business. We operate in a not-for-profit structure to build a service that benefits the community. We strive to encourage students and communities to mobilize their resources to take control of their own spaces. Thinking about what we feed ourselves (healthy, nutritious food) and how we feed ourselves (through local communities, not global corporations), is one important step towards building alternatives at a local level.

Ongoing Projects

With such a diverse mandate and such a committed energetic collective, we have many projects on the go. Here’s what is happening at the Potato, how these projects fit into our goals, and how you can get involved.

Daily Servings: We serve by-donation daily vegan meals, between 12:30 and 2 pm on the seventh floor of the Hall building of Concordia. And, if you can’t make it during those times, come check out back in the kitchen for leftovers from the day’s meals! All of our 13 staff members, plus 80 volunteers, work together to serve between 400 and 600 students every school day. All of our volunteers and staff learn a lot about vegan nutrition and food preparation through working together on this project.

Street Servings: In addition to our daily servings on the 7th floors, we take food outside daily to serve to people on the street in the neighbourhood.

Education
Our education coordinators work together with le Frigo Vert to offer diverse educational programming that includes cooking workshops, talks on food politics and nutrition related issues, and D-I-Y. This program furthers our mandate by educating and empowering students to be more self-sufficient, and to make socially and ecologically conscious choices around food and nutrition. Keep your eyes open for flyers and posters announcing upcoming workshops.

Garden: We have a site on Loyola Campus, where we have a garden during the summer that provides a small amount of food to the People’s Potato kitchen. It is part of the victory garden network of Action-Communiterre which encourages people to use their backyards and community spaces to grow organic food for themselves and people in need of produce.

Food Security Issues: We are in the process of linking up with other community organizations that work on food distribution, vegetarianism, and poverty issues. Through these links we can strengthen the work we do. We also make our kitchen facilities available to community organizations.

A day at the Potato

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A day in the Potato kitchen and the folks who make it possible

The kitchen opens at 8:30 am by two sleepy Potatoes.

30 to 40 liters of fresh vegetable stock is made.

The contents of the fridge are ‘sussed out’ and the approximate menu is set.

Any beans to be used in the meal have been soaked and rinsed.

9:00 am. A few volunteers and another Potato help wake up the kitchen. Knives, cutting boards, aprons and head coverings are pulled out of their resting places as we prepare for an influx of people. Yawns are replaced by “good mornings”, “how are yous” and introductions.

By 9:30 am, the chopping of onions, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables is well under way. The grains are rinsed and cooked.

The steam kettles are also cleaned and ready to be used again.

10:30 am. 10+ bust bins (or buckets) are filled with veggies and greens; volunteers cut, stew, bake, roast, puree, chop, slice and dice ingredients. The conversations have shifted from small talk to remarks on the state of the world; politics; music; culinary arts and stories. Someone takes over the stereo and music fills the air.

11:00 am. The cooks start preparing the stew and the soup. The smells of a million freshly ground spices, oils, and cooking vegetables fill the air.

11:30 am. The kitchen is bursting with (hopefully) people and everything is in high gear as stew and soup for five hundred people comes together.

11:45 means it’s crunch time; 45 min until the serving. The cold salad is prepared and the bread is cut. Clean-up starts as dirty dishes used to prep the meal begin to pile up. Taste tests happen as the soup and stew near the end of their cooking.

By 12:00 noon the serving area is wiped down, the dishes are pulled out and the donation box is retrieved. There is less conversation as people hurry to feed the hungry mouths in the growing line of patiently waiting people.

There are plenty of dishes to be done and more people coming in to help.

12:30 SERVING!!!! The steam kettles (each holding up to 60L of food) are emptied into pots, which are carried out to the serving area. If it’s cold outside and sandwiches just won't cut it, food is set aside for the homeless serving outdoors.

Four volunteers get clean aprons and head coverings and get ready to serve the hot food. Two potatoes make announcements. One potato sets up the tables upon which cookbooks, patches, newsletters and solidarity items (any we may be distributing for like-minded organizations) are displayed.

Meanwhile…
The cafeteria is equipped with three bust bins and a compost bin.

The counter tops are cleaned, as are all remaining dishes from the morning. Then, the steam kettles are washed.

By 1:00 pm there is a steady stream of dirty dishes piling up at all three sinks, as well as in the cafeteria. Three to five volunteers and/or Potatoes are needed to collect these dishes, wash them and get them back to the serving area so that more patient folks can eat (if they don’t have Tupperware).

By 1:45 the line of Potato hungry eaters is slowing down, but the dishes are not. There have been a number of turnovers in the volunteers helping to serve allowing these people to take a break and eat in the back of the serving area. Joking relieves any nerves about the tastiness of the food and more stories are shared. There are “hoorays” and “uummmm’s” and “we pulled it off’s” as peoples' bellies get full and satisfied.

2:00 pm. The intense kitchen clean up continues as all the remaining dishes are cleaned and put away. The kitchen is quieting down as people return to classes and volunteers are going their separate ways. The big pots are washed, and any leftovers are transferred into plastic containers and stored in the fridge. The serving area surfaces are wiped down. The floor in the serving area, kitchen, cooking area, and hall are swept and mopped. The cafeteria is cleared of all bins and compost buckets. The garbage is taken down to the basement. The fridge is wiped down. If it is Wednesday, the fridge is thoroughly cleaned.

By 4:00 the kitchen sparkles like new.

The beans for the next day are soaked and things are put to rest. The kitchen is quiet and there are few signs that more than fifteen people worked together, to feed 500+ hungry folks.

8am the next day….
It all starts again with two sleepy Potatoes.