Chefs, musicians unite to fight quarry plan

Foodstock attracting a lot of interest

By Bill Tremblay Oct 05, 2011 - 5:15 PM

Canadian chefs hunger for local produce will transform into a 20,000-person strong protest against The Highland Companies plan to mine aggregate in Melancthon. Michael Stadtlnder, a world-renowned chef and president of Canadian Chefs Congress, has created Foodstock, a daylong demonstration denouncing the proposal they believe would destroy prime agricultural land. We are at the dawn of the movement of localism, Stadtlnder told The Banner. The idea of local food is becoming more and more important. Its what our customers demand. The pay-as-much-as-you-can event, held Sunday (Oct. 16), features more than 80 of Canadas top chefs, from Jamie Kennedy to Canoe Restaurants Andrew Walsh, cooking a variety of meals at stations throughout the event that blankets four Melancthon farms. Stadtlnder said is he not surprised by his fellow chefs willingness to join the rally. When there is a call to arms, the colleagues will answer, he said. Additional chefs are volunteering daily to join the culinary ranks at Foodstock. There has just been an outpouring of interested chefs who are closing down their restaurants to be part of Foodstock, Miriam Streiman, one of the events organizers said. Ontario farmers, butchers and chocolatiers are also joining the protest by donating their products to the events chefs. Ive organized food events for a long time. Ive never in my life experienced anything like this, Streiman said. Its really quite powerful. The Highland Companies has applied for an aggregate license to mine 2,316 acres of land. The chefs stations will be posted throughout a forest setting on the properties of people who are unwilling to sell to The Highland Companies. As chefs prepare food made from local products, a variety of well-known Canadian musicians will perform throughout the day.

Artists include Blue Rodeos Jim Cuddy, Sarah Harmer, Hayden, Ron Sexsmith, Tom Barlow, Lilly Frost and Jose Contreras from By Divine Right and Cuff The Duke. Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart hosts the stage show. Taggart grew up in Mansfield and was told about the quarry plan by a childhood friend. For somebody to privately think they can do this much of a technological advancement in the area without any consequences is insane to me, Taggart said. Especially in this day and age. Taggart had previously voiced his objection to the quarry through social media and jumped at the opportunity to help when he heard about Foodstock. It hit home. I know how important that land is, he said. For Taggart, Foodstock provides the opportunity for musicians to provide a voice that may not be heard throughout Canada. Its hard to get press and major TV stations talking about sensitive issues like this with major corporate backing, Taggart said. I think musicians have an opportunity to help shed some light on information when its not available to everyone. When you get into deals with hedge funds, suddenly people dont want to talk. While Taggarts role at Foodstock is emcee, he didnt deny the possibility of picking up a pair of drumsticks. Maybe there will be a drum kit I can get my hands on, he said. Alongside the main stage, 40 buskers will perform throughout Foodstock. Nanci Malek, the events entertainment organizer, applauded the Canadian artists involvement. This is amazing. Top Canadian artists have responded and want to help, Malek said. Its just so impressive these folks are going to do this. Malek said all musicians involved have a strong stance against the quarry plan. They just cant believe this is happening and instantly jumped on board, she said. Hayden is disgusted by it. Hayden leaves a three-year performing hiatus for the Foodstock stage. Im so pleased. Hayden is just an outstanding artist, Malek said. The food prepared during the event is free, but a minimum donation of $10 is encouraged. Funds raised through Foodstock will be donated to the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) for legal fees needed to fight the quarry proposal.

We will need some heavy hitters. Were fighting Goliath right now, David Waters, one of the events organizers, said. We really do need to be able to protect our food sources. Waters believes Foodstock represents a collision of classes and cultures that all have the same goal in mind. What youre starting to see is all boundaries being dropped, Waters said. Im not one to rub shoulders with Jamie Kennedy or Michael Stadtlnder, but theyre just people who eat food and drink water too. The event also aims to have zero impact on the environment. Those who attend are asked to bring their own plate and cutlery and bottled water is discouraged. Event organizers will provide clean drinking water. If anything is there, it will be biodegradable, Waters said. Our foot print? There will be no footprint left. Stadtlnder said what he hopes Foodstock will accomplish is simple: the end of The Highlands Companies plan to mine in Melancthon. This is a new kind of alliance between citizen and chef, Stadtlnder said. We will know when its over what we can achieve when we all get together. Foodstock runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Frenchs Farm, west of Highway 124 and north of 20th Sideroad in Honeywood. For more information, visit www.canadianchefscongress.com.