This letter to the editor appeared in the Vernon Morning Star recently. The Vernon Farmer's Market is a vital community effort to provide a connection between local producers and processors with community consumers. The regional district recently decided to double the rental for the parking lot to $4800. Honestly, we should be providing these spaces free, the sad parking lot they must operate in is hardly worth a fraction of that, even with the washrooms.
I was thrilled last September when I first visited the market upon moving here, I found it affordable with lots of choices from local to organic and artisan specialties, all locally produced. My husband was able to find mounds of fruit for canning, which we are still enjoying now in March. I strongly feel that we need to view farmer's markets, not as simple retail outlets but as a critical service to the community.
file:///Users/ptudge/Desktop/Vernon%20Morning%20Star%20-%20NORD%20sending%20wrong%20message.pdf
Food in My Neigbourhood
- Pamela Tudge
- I have recently moved to Montreal, QC from BC, where I lived in the North Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver regions studying local food systems, culture & sustainable communities. Primarily, I am interested in the intersection of environmental and social justice issues. I feel, that food is a focal link across land, people, & communities. Through food, we can begin to engage in real initiatives to address societal injustices and environmental degradation. How do we do that? Know, Support and Access your local food production system to start. Where I have lived, that maybe the local dairy, rancher, or orchardist. On the island, that was the prawner, fisherman, and seaweed cultivator along side the berries in my backyard. Here in Montreal, that is the farmer connecting with urbanites, open market stalls with friendly faces, and the small family run grocery stores who carry food items from local purveyors. If you take a moment, inspiring connections to our food exist everywhere. What’s yours?
No comments:
Post a Comment