What's a Food Swap?

What's a Food Swap?

A Food Swap is where food lovers come together to share their handmade creations.  Be it from the garden, oven, or forest, swappers share what they create or curate without cash ever exchanging hands.  In a silent auction format, people are able to sample the talent and food the CRD has to offer.

Who can participate?

Anyone can!  Big or small, young or young at heart the Victoria Food Swap welcomes everyone.  Pre-registration is required, and if you plan on bringing a friend, make sure you register them as well.  If you're coming alone?  No worries! Chances are you'll leave with more friends than goodies in your pocket.

Missing chocolate chip cookie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Where is it held?

The Victoria Food Swap is held in various locations around the CRD in an effort to ensure maximum participation.  If you can think of a great space for us to hold a swap, let us know!

What do people bring?

Swap items must be homemade or home grown. Preserves, cookies, squares, granola, vinegars, eggs, plant starters... if it's been lovingly cared for by you and can be in your belly at some point in its life, its welcome to be shared at a swap!  Bring samples if you can.

If you bring something to a swap, package them in a way that keeps them out of the elements and makes it easy to swap. People will be examining and picking up your goods.  Cookies can be packaged in half dozens, eggs in dozens or half dozens, and mason jars come in endless shapes and sizes.  If your item requires refrigeration or special care, label it and help a swapper out!

Let's Jam (Photo credit: cogdogblog)

What should I expect?

Swap meets last 1.5 to 2 hours, divided into two "activity" portions.

Swappers arrive and set up their goodies on tables, along with a sheet for each item and a few lines under the item for bids.

For the first half, everyone walks around chatting, sampling, asking questions and examining the goodies.  Swappers can begin to make "bids" on the items they would like to swap for, using the items they have brought.  For example, if Marcie has a jar of homemade pickles, you can write on her sheet what you're willing to swap for it from the items you brought. Multiple people can put in offers for the same item, but it's Marcie's choice who she will swap with at the end of the event.

In the second half, everyone goes back to their original sheets of paper, looks at the offers and finds the people to swap with.  If you weren't having fun before, you will now!  There's no guarantee that you'll get what you "bid" on, and you are not obligated to swap with anyone.  All swap exchanges are made with smiles and laughter.

Swapping can be scary at first, but it's an easy thing to overcome.   Even the simplest of recipes can be coveted by a swapper.  Your mom's peanut butter chocolate chip cookies might be the ticket to a healthy swap haul. Everyone involved in the swap will be respectful of your level of expertise and happy that you took the time to come out.

The Bits, Bites, and Nitty-Gritty

The event is open to the public, but everyone must pre-register in order for the organizer to adequately prepare

All cooking is done in home kitchens.  It is expected that participants and creators are using the highest cleanliness standards in their kitchens and gardens to prepare their swap goods.

By participating in this event, you are acknowledging that the food items being traded are not necessarily prepared in Food Safe Certified or "approved" kitchen spaces inspected by government agencies.

Ensuring allergies or food sensitivities is the responsibility of the swapper. Please talk with other participants before swapping about ingredients that you wish to avoid.

No selling or exchange of money is allowed.

Gifting is absolutely encouraged!