This blog being phased out...

I have decided to simplify things a little bit and combine all my swap groups in to one: Swap it Oakland

You can now go to one place to find out about ALL the swaps I put on: clothing swaps, plant swaps, homemade food swaps, and occasional specialty swaps like craft supply swaps and our upcoming Yoga & Active wear swap. 

This blog is being phased out and I will be posting exclusively on the Swap it Oakland blog so please head on over there and update your subscription settings.
http://swapitoakland.blogspot.com

We also have a new facebook page (facebook wouldn't let me change the name because we had too many fans)

http://www.facebook.com/swapitevents

And finally, a new LOGO!

Designed by Swooping Swallow Design

I love it!

So come join us in easing over to this new swap group. Their are more swap ideas in the works and I'm so excited for the swaps to come! 

Second Day Opened up for Summer Swap!

I have opened up a second day for our Summer Homemade Food Swap in a different N. Oakland location on Sunday July 29th, 1-3pm.

Their are still spots open so if you are interested in swapping with us this summer head on over to the Join Our Next Swap page and sign up. The form is the same but I will send  you an email about the info for the second day.

Summer 2012 Homemade Food Swap

It's time once again for the summer Homemade Food Swap! 

Registration for this swap opened up to the email list a few days ago and the spots are filling up quicker than ever. If you'd like to swap with us hurry up and get yourself on the list. Their are always a few drop outs so there will be a waiting list as well. 

Swap your edible creations and enjoy the summer afternoon at a brand new N. Oakland location.

Note: Space is limited! If you register and don't show up, someone else loses a chance to have your spot. Please make sure that you are planning to attend before you register or let me know ASAP if something comes up and you can no longer make it. Thanks!

What

A food swap is an event where you trade your homemade, homegrown, and foraged creations with other participants. Diversify your pantry while meeting your friends and neighbors. 

Who

We welcome everyone, as long as you bring something you made, grew, or foraged yourself. You must pre-register to attend. If you plan to bring a family member or friend who will be swapping their own foods, please register them separately. 

When

Saturday, July 28, 2012, 12 - 2 pm 

Please arrive promptly at noon.

Where

North Oakland.
The exact location will be released only to those accepted to the swap. If you are accepted please do not share the event location with anyone. We will not have room for drop in swappers. If you know someone who is interested in attending the swap please have them fill out the registration form & wait to see if they get accepted. 

What to bring

• Food to swap: All swap items must be homemade, homegrown, or foraged by you. Think preserves, baked goods, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, condiments, beverages… you name it! Bring as little or as much as you like. You can bring a bunch of one thing or multiples of a few different things. The possibilities are endless!

Keep in mind that swappers will be examining and picking up your goods, so be sure to package them in a way that protects the food and makes it clear the amounts you want to swap. When applicable, it is recommended that you include storage and shelf life information..

• Samples: Make sure to bring samples of all your items for everyone to taste. We will not be able to provide any kitchen items at this location so MAKE SURE TO BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR SAMPLES. (ex: napkins, cups, knife, toothpicks)

• Swap card: Bring one swap card for each different item you're swapping. For example, if you're bringing 5 jars of strawberry jam, 5 jars of apricot jam, and 10 bunches of rosemary, fill out 1 card for the strawberry jam, 1 card for the apricot jam, and 1 card for the rosemary. Fill out the top part only (Who, What, Notes).

You can download the swap card here. 

Learn more

Find out more on our Swapper Info Page

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kendra kendra.poma@gmail.com

The Honor Code

This is a community event; however, participants must pre-register, which means this event is operated as a private club.

In addition, all swap participants adhere to an honor code of using the highest cleanliness standards in their own kitchens and gardens to prepare their swap items. Swap participants must agree to the following terms before registering:

• By participating in this event, you are acknowledging that the food items being shared are not necessarily prepared in commercial kitchens or spaces inspected by any government agency.

• By participating in this event, you are also acknowledging that you will use the highest standards of safety and cleanliness in food preparation.

• By participating in this event, you assume all liability; specifically, you agree to not hold liable food swap hosts, swap venue owners/providers, or other swap participants.

(much of this wording borrowed from the LA Swappers page. Thanks gals!)

EBCA Swaps in the East Bay Express

Last Saturday, at our Spring Homemade Food Swap, writer Jesse Hirsch spent some time with us observing the swap. Check out the wonderful article he wrote to help spread the word:

Food on the barter system
by Jesse Hirsch

"In the East Bay barter economy, eggs are the hot ticket. “Everybody must be doing the backyard chicken thing, because we’re seeing tons of eggs right now,” said Kendra Poma, founder ofEast Bay Homemade Food Swaps. “Last fall I think everyone was making home-brewed beer … You start to notice trends.”

Poma started these swaps last February after reading about similar events happening all over the country. The premise is simple: 25 to 30 food artisans and backyard farmers meet up at a pre-ordained East Bay location (past swaps have been in Emeryville, North Oakland, and Golden Gate). Each swapper keeps a sign-up sheet in front of his or her goods, and other participants write down what they are willing to trade, e.g. “four muffins for one jar of salsa.” 

This Saturday was the first food swap since the event took a winter hiatus, and 25 people descended on an undisclosed Oakland location (“drop-in swappers” are discouraged due to space constraints). Poma always gets well more applicants than there is space for; participants are chosen on a first-come-first-served system unless there’s a glut of certain items. This month she had to turn away some egg swappers in the interest of variety."

Read the rest at EastBayExpress.com

REGISTRATION OPEN - Spring 2012 Homemade Food Swap

Registration is now open for our Spring 2012 Homemade Food Swap 
Saturday April 14th 12-2pm

This time we will be located in the Golden Gate district of North Oakland. The exact location will be given once your application has been approved.

Remember: You must bring only foods you have made or prepared yourself. Triple cool points if you have grown the ingredients yourself.
(think jams, pickles, ferments, breads, sweets, backyard chicken/duck eggs, etc.)

To register go to the Join Our Next Swap page of this blog

When would you like to swap next?

I am back from hiatus and ready to swap!

I have a couple of dates in mind but first I'd like to get your input to help me decide on the day/time of the next swap (at the end of April)

I have set up a poll here on the blog (to your right ------>)
Please take a moment to fill it out and give me your input. Or if you prefer you can leave a comment here as well.

In general, what day/times would you prefer to attend a Homemade Food Swap (keeping in mind you may need time to bake/prepare your items the day of or day before the swap)?
*Saturday afternoon (12-2pm)
*Saturday evening (6-8pm)
*Sunday afternoon (12-2pm)
*Sunday evening (5-7pm)
*Monday evening (7-9pm)

Let me know! I will announce the date by April 1st

Special Fall Harvest Backyard Crop Swap Sat. Nov 5th

This Saturday we will be having a special "Fall Harvest" edition of our monthly Backyard Crop Swaps.

Bring all your excesses from your fall harvest and swap them with your neighbors. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, etc. Anything you grow or raise yourself is fair game & totally swapable.

This time we will also be swapping "put up" items as well. Bring a few jars of that jam you just made. How about pickles or pasta sauce. Turn your mass amounts of one thing in to a bunch of different things.

I'll be bringing homemade garden huckleberry jam and some veggies from my garden.

Don't forget to tell your local friends, family, & neighbors.

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176418172445174

@ Phat Beets Sat. Farmers Market
5717 Market St.
Oakland, CA
(in the parking lot of the Arlington Medical Center)

Fall Swap Flyer

Fall Homemade Food Swap will be at the East Bay Mini Makers Faire

http://ebmakerfaire.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/put-up-now-for-the-urban-food-swap/

Thats right! We are going big this time around joining up with this amazing event dedicated to all things handmade.

Our next Seasonal Swap will be at the East Bay Mini Makers Faire

October 16th
12:30-1:30pm

Upon successful registration participants will receive a discount code for 20% off ticket admission to the entire faire. 
(buying a ticket is required to participate in this fall food swap. We have monthly food swaps that are always free at the N. Oakland Farmers Market the 1st Sat of every month)

Ticket prices (before discount):
$10 if you purchase before Sept. 30th
$15 after that
$20 the day of the event


To sign up for our Fall Homemade Food Swap go to the Join Our Next Swap page of this site.

New Press Page

Check out our new Press page where you can find links to articles written about East Bay Homemade Food Swaps.

Currently we have 6 different articles for you to peruse.

If you know of any we missed please let me know so I can get them up to share with everyone.

Just a reminder

Just a quick reminder that the first of our monthly food swaps is going to be TOMORROW (Saturday Sept. 3rd)

These swaps will have room for more people, so if you are still interested in joining in, fill out this form so we know you will be coming.

See you tomorrow!

Homemade Food & Backyard Crop SWAP
5717 Market St. Oakland
11am-2pm

N. Oakland Food Swap

Monthly Food Swaps at the N. Oakland Farmers Market

The first Saturday of every month we will have a place to swap backyard produce at the Phat Beets N. Oakland Farmers Market at 5717 Market St. from 11am-2pm

Preregister HERE for the next swap. 

These monthly swaps go a bit more loosely than our regularly scheduled seasonal events and focus on back yard produce, eggs, & honey.
To swap, simply lay down what you brought and take what you want. It's that simple!

I can't wait to swap with you all on a more regular basis. 

Pictures from the Summer Swap

Pictures taken by Dalia from Richmond Homestead

The Grey Areas Of Made At Home Food Laws.

A few weeks ago I attended a small meeting of local food activists put on by the Sustainable Economies Law Center. We discussed the state of food laws regarding the legality of sharing, trading, & selling homemade foods, as well as what laws we would like to see pass here in California. The SELC really has their stuff together. They have been doing research for months on laws that have passed in other states and have worked hard to come up with a plan of attack.


Legal Intern Kelly Densmore and Co-Director Janelle Orsi from the Sustainable Economies Law Center’s wrote this great article for Shareable.net that I wanted to share with you all. 


http://www.shareable.net/blog/the-shareable-food-movement-meets-the-law

"“The Underground Food Movement” has become a thing lately. It’s a foodie’s utopia in Oakland these days...But this movement goes deeper than its sheer yumminess. We thrive on food. When we share in efforts to grow, process, prepare, and serve food, we greatly enhance our abilities to eat well, provide for ourselves, and build livelihoods around food. Sharing food is particularly important during hard economic times and many small food projects develop out of unemployment.

The realm of shareable food is flourishing with community meal sharing, potlucks, gift-economy restaurants, community food growing projects, food swap events, pop-up stores, stone soup gatherings, food-buying cooperatives, goat-sharing, chicken cooperatives, events like The Big Lunch, and so on...

Now picture all of this food sharing activity on a spectrum. At the private and personal end, we eat a homemade meal with our family. At the public and commercial end, we get chicken nuggets from the drive-thru window at a chain restaurant. Somewhere in between is a point at which our society has decided to impose protections and regulations."

Read the full article here: http://www.shareable.net/blog/the-shareable-food-movement-meets-the-law

Summer Food Swap Update

I've gotten 27 amazing submissions so far for the Summer Homemade Food Swap. There are only 30 spots available and I will put 5 of you on the waiting list. At the last swap quite a few people from the waiting list made it on so you still have a good chance if you end up on it.

If you  haven't gotten your "you've been accepted" email yet, don't worry! I haven't sent them. I am currently working on revising the swap sheets a little bit (if you already have the old ones printed out feel free to use them) and making sure I include as much necessary info in the acceptance emails as possible. If you have any suggestions feel free to shoot me an email: kendra.poma gmail

Registration is OPEN for the Summer Food Swap

We are now taking applications for the Summer Homemade Food Swap!

Remember, what ever you make needs to be homemade or grown by you and edible to humans. Other than that, you are free to be as creative or traditional as possible.

Go to the "Join Our Next Swap" page to sign up.

You will receive the exact address & further instructions once approved.

I can't wait to see what you plan on bringing to the swap!

Summer Swap Date & City Announced!

Sign up's for the July swap will begin June 18th

Food Swapping Etiquette Article

The SF Swappers just pointed me in the direction of this great article that talks about The Etiquette of Food Swapping.
Check it out for some great tips you can use at our Summer food swap coming up in July.

http://www.chow.com/food-news/81410/rules-for-effective-food-swapping/

Plant Swap in N. Oakland May 7th

This would be a great place to get some veggie starts which could turn in to ingredients for your items at the next food swap.

Bring some cuttings, starts, trimmings, seedlings, unwanted houseplants or gardening supplies to trade for things you do want and can actually use!

Join us on Facebook      ~      Sign up for our Email List

Spring Plant Swap in the North Oakland Golden Gate Community. 

Have plants you need to prune? Extras that don't seem to fit in with your home or garden? Started too many seeds this year? Why not bring them all down to the North Oakland Plant Swap and trade them with your neighbors for some new-to-you plants and gardening supplies.

At the plant swap you can bring plants, cuttings, seedlings, starts, foraged plants, and seeds of edible & non edible plants.
This is also a great place to bring any extra gardening supplies you have: pots, natural fertilizers, vermicompost/worms, garden tools, stepping stones, etc. 
Pass them all on to a new home and come pick up some new-to-you plants for your garden and home.

Need to donate your plants earlier than the swap date? No problem. We will be accepting donations at the swap location May 4th, 5th, & 6th. 

The only entrance fee is something brought to add to the swap.
*Please remember to label each of your plants with these Plant Information Sheets

*If anyone has any folding tables they are willing to loan or donate to the swap please contact me (kendra [dot] poma {at} gmail.com)

N. Oakland Spring Plant Swap:

Saturday May 7th

12-3pm

5927 San Pablo Ave.

Oakland, CA 94608

(on the Berkeley/Emeryville border)