Burnaby's first "food swap" - a local-food concept in which individuals swap homemade and homegrown goods - was a big hit, according to the city resident who organized it.
But those who missed the unique gathering needn't worry: round 2 is already being pencilled in for April.
Roberta LaQuaglia, a North Burnaby resident, organized last week's food swap after hearing about similar events in other cities.
As a home canner, LaQuaglia had a surplus of jams, pickles and other preserves and was inspired to try to re-create the food swap concept here.
"The swap went great," she told the NOW by email recently. "We had 25 people participate and a very diverse group with a good mix of products."
Swappers brought in everything from homemade bread to macarons, pickled garlic, herbs, jams, jellies and even soaps.
Items were set up on display, and then those taking part got an opportunity to try samples and look around at what was available. Participants could then make bids for what they'd like to offer in exchange.
For example, someone might offer a loaf of bread for a jar of jam; a bag of fresh herbs for a bar of soap.
LaQuaglia said there were "lots of happy faces" and a strong interest for a repeat event.
"I'm very happy with how everything went," she said, noting that a story by the NOW early in the month helped spread the word in the community.
Local resident and hobby food blogger Betty Hung signed up for the swap after hearing about it through the online social media site, Twitter.
"I thought it would be a lot of fun and it would be a great event to connect with local foodies and the community," she said.
She arrived with a stash of homemade fruit jams and bags of French macarons.
"I traded for a loaf of country bread, a loaf of sourdough bread, a can of homemade kimchi, granola, Swedish crisp bread, a four-citrus marmalade, and a hand-made ceramic pie dish."
Hung said it was a welcoming and laid-back environment.
"Everyone there was so friendly and easygoing. We exchanged some cooking tips and experiences. It was fun," she said.
Hung said it was rewarding to be bartering and swapping for goods rather than the traditional model of buying an item with cash. As well, she said the event gave her a chance to learn about some foods she'd never experienced before and to meet local "foodies" and hear about what they grow or make.
"I would definitely do this again."
Hung writes and posts photographs on her blog www.yummyworkshop. com as a way to enjoy her dual hobbies of cooking and photography. She writes about restaurants, her own cooking and her experiences at cooking classes.
To see photographs of the event, and to stay informed of upcoming food swap events, see www. facebook.com/foodswap. bby.
www.twitter.com/ ChristinaMyersA
