Someone asked me today - what brought me to thinking about CSA vegetables, and where do I sit with Farmer's Markets and Grocery Stores.
It is not until someone asks you that question that you realize that the general public doesn't know what goes on inside my head. (EVEN though anyone who knows me - knows that I never stop talking - so they MUST know what goes on....)
Here is the thing - I truly do not advocate for CSA over Farmer's Market - over Grocery stores.
I believe in supporting local businesses, and truly believe that we as a group need to support eating locally. Easier said than done.
Whole Village was actually at the Caledon Farmer's Market ( Bolton, ON - Thursdays 4 - 8pm - Mid June - to End of October) for the summer of 2009.
I was so THRILLED that Bolton was finally hosting a Farmer's Market last yea r- that I ensured that I went EVERY SINGLE week - and regardless - ENSURED that I BOUGHT SOMETHING every single week. I told everyone that I could think of to GO to the Farmer's Market. It everyone supported it - then the farmers, and businesses - would WANT to ensure that they continue to participate.
The reality for these vendors is this:
it costs them time and money to get there...
If it is not a worthy investment of this time and money - they will not continue to come. Everyone needs an income to support their lives, families etc.
It is imperative that our community support these vendors. Whole Village is located in Alton, which is a good 40 minute drive one way to Bolton. It has to be worth the investment of gas, vehicle maintenance, and manpower - to harvest produce - pack it up and bring it down each week to sell in Bolton. Sadly this was not the case last year.
I decided to support them - by purchasing a large share for my family. Imagine if we had a waiting list of families for WHOLE VILLAGE from Bolton, to purchase shares, and demand for their produce that they would have to expand to double their growth - and were able to financially sustain the cost of bringing their items to the farmers market as well!!! THAT would be IDEAL! The more people that support and buy - the better chance of this.
I STILL GO TO THE FARMER"S MARKET! I would not miss it for the world!
There are many items at the Farmer's Market that I can't get at Whole Village. Local honey, Meats, Cheeses, mushrooms, breads, SPELT biscotti (THE BEST as far as I am concerned) and unique one of a kind local crafts and artwork.
Now expand that to include local grocery stores. Garden Foods for example. Piero and Rose Carbone take great pride in what they serve to the community. Rose, once told me that she wanted to be the Berry Capital - (Sorry - if I got the wording wrong Rose...!) for Caledon. They send someone to the Ontario Food Terminal EVERY SINGLE DAY _ to bring fresh local produce and as close to local as will allow back to us. The produce that I buy from there - is so fresh, that it will last a long time in my frig.
I have an iron deficiency, that requires constant monitoring. It is vital that I ensure excellent intake of Vitamin C - to ensure that Iron I take is properly absorbed.
RED PEPPERS have a HIGHER VITAMIN C LEVEL THAN ORANGES!
I eat a lot of peppers - not available at the Whole Village (YET) or at the Farmer's Market. SO I buy them at Garden Foods. Not to mention, Garden Foods, is a huge supporter of our community , for events and local non-profits, so it is even more important to support them as well!
I guess the point is - ... one does not need to support one over the other, but if you take the time - you can ensure that everyone has the support of us all... it just takes a little thought, and a mindfulness to support a healthy community.
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