Article from Vancouver-Point Grey Community Office Fall 2016 Newsletter, David Eby, MLA
We had a quick chat with Oliver Lane, Exec Director of SPEC on the role of this great organization in the community.
Q. What’s the best thing about working with SPEC?
A. The people. It is a pleasure to work with staff and volunteers that bring such a diversity of knowledge, interests and culture and that share values and a passion for sustainability. SPEC is like a container for great people and great ideas to flourish. And we do our best to support that.
Q. SPEC has been housed in many places in Vancouver. Can you tell us about your new location in Kitsilano?
A. In November 2014 we moved into our new office in the Kits Neighbourhood House building on 7th and Vine, in the heart of Kitsilano. It is such a wonderful location and Kits House is such a great partner. The Westside Community Food Market is an example of the type of partnership we have. We’ve also jointly hosted on-site workshops through the Urban Farmer Field School, and our new SPEC Elders Circle is being kindly supported by Kits House.
Q. What’s it like collaborating with UBC students?
A. SPEC gets involved with UBC students in a variety of ways. I want to say that we also connect with SFU students but I guess because of our location on the westside and our connections we end up having a more frequent link to UBC. Collaborating with UBC students allows us to strengthen the Academia-Community link. It also brings new ideas and fresh energy to SPEC. And although students are always quite busy, we really welcome the time and passion they share. And as a UBC graduate myself, I love the opportunity to get students connected with grassroots projects happening outside campus.
Q. How have the markets been going and what should we watch for next?
A. The market this year has been great! It was a wetter summer than last year but we are having roughly the same number of sales and visitors. The market is a great pace to support urban agriculture, local farmers, and very importantly, provide a community space for people to meet and access local and healthy food. We also have a coupon program that makes the market food more accessible to lower income community members. This seasons’ last summer market is on September 15. But the good news is that we will host a smaller scale Fall Market, followed by Kits House’s Autumn Fair on October 22, that will include a food market, and lastly the NEW Kits House – SPEC Winter Market on December 3, also featuring some of our summer market vendors.
Q. What’s your favourite vegetable?
A. It changes. Right now I have the following top three: Arugula, Sweet potato and Leek (my partner makes such a delicious leek quiche!).
If you have questions about SPEC or want to learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit their website http://www.spec.bc.ca/