Good Food Challenge – Family Edition 2025

Welcome to the Good Food Challenge 2025! 

We’re thrilled to announce that York Region Food Network (YRFN) has teamed up with public libraries in York Region to bring you the Good Food Challenge throughout the months of March and April! 

So, what exactly is the Good Food Challenge?  

Our 2025 Good Food Challenge is all about bringing young families together for fun and interactive activities that focus on reducing food waste and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.  

Here’s how it works:  

Each participating library will host a week-long Good Food Challenge, offering an in-person event and take-home kits provided by York Region Food Network.  

Engagements include:  

An Interactive Workshop 

Led by YRFN, this workshop will cover either making a delicious meal or how to grow sprouts and microgreens.  Get ready to roll up your sleeves and learn practical skills that will not only tickle your taste buds but also reduce food waste at home.  

To register for workshops please click on the link(s) for the library in each municipality:  

East-Gwillimbury Library Good Food Challenge week: March 31^st – April 5^th 

Events:  

Saturday March 29^th – Drop-In Table: 11am-12:30pm (Holland Landing Branch) No registration required. 

Wednesday April 2nd, 5:00PM- 6:30PM; Sprouting/Microgreens Workshop – Mount Albert branch 

Reister now at: https://www.egpl.ca/programs-events/events-calendar/good-food-challenge-sprouting-and-microgreens?id=1743627600-208303 

Pick up your free seed kits from Mount Albert and Holland Landing branch main desks – while supplies last, limited quantities 

King Public Library Good Food Challenge week: March 10^th –  16^th: 

Events: 

March : Pop -up 

Wednesday March 12^th–  Sprouting and Microgreens Workshops 

Registration closed. 

Pick up your free seed kits from all King Library branch main desks this week only– while supplies last, limited quantities 

Newmarket Public Library Good Food Challenge week: April 21^st – 27^th 

Events: 

Tuesday, March 25^th – Pop Up/ Drop-In table: 3:30-5:00pm 

Tuesday, April 23^rd – Sprouting and Microgreens workshop (adults only)  

Registration: https://calendar.newmarketpl.ca/default/Detail/2025-04-23-1830-Lets-Get-Growing 

Pick up your free seed kits from main desk this week only– while supplies last, limited quantities 

Stouffville Public Library Good Food Challenge week: April 5^th– 11^th  

Events: 

Thursday, March 27^th, Pop-Up, Stouffville Library 

Saturday, April 5^th; Sprouting and Microgreens Workshop (everyone welcome)  

Registration: https://wsplibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/67ab6a7fc9449528003924fe 

Pick up your free seed kits from main desk this week only– while supplies last, limited quantities 

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library Good Food Challenge week: April 7^th – 13^th 

Events: 

Thursday, March 20^th, Pop-Up, VMC Library 

Tuesday, April 8^h; Cooking with Your Senses Workshop (everyone welcome)  

Registration: https://www.vaughanpl.info/programs/view/3820 

Pick up your free seed kits from main at all Vaughan library branch main desks this week only– while supplies last, limited quantities 

Do-it-Yourself Engagements  

The following take-home packages will be available at select libraries: East-Gwillimbury, King, Newmarket, Stouffville, Vaughan. 

• Seed Starting Kits: Take home a seed starting kit from one of the participating libraries and nurture your very own connection between your family and the environment. These kits come with all the instructions and materials you need to kickstart a small home garden. (Limited quantities available)  

• Grow Your Own Sprouts PDF 

• Grow Your Own Microgreens PDF 

Can’t make it to the library? No problem! Check out our online resources: 

YRFN has a range of family-friendly activities and workshops waiting for you on our YouTube channel. Join us online and embark on your own self-guided Good Food Challenge journey from the comfort of your own home.  

Kids Composting Activity Booklet: Dive into an interactive activity book filled with fun at-home exercises designed to teach you about soil health, various composting techniques and how they can help prevent food waste. 

Savour & Save Guide to Loving Leftovers, Preserving Freshness, and Reducing Food Waste—inspired by the amazing contributions of past challenge participants!    

The Good Food Challenge isn’t just about cooking and growing – it’s about fostering a deeper understanding of our natural environment, reducing food waste, and becoming better stewards of our planet.  

Past Challenges

2022 Good Food Challenge (BINGO)

The Good Food Challenge and our partner libraries would like to give special thanks to