Feb. 13 was Canada’s Agriculture Day. Personally, I celebrate the vital role that agriculture plays in my life every day. By supporting our local farmers and food-based businesses, I know I’m contributing to the sustainability of agriculture on the Sunshine Coast. Whether it’s a veggie-packed salad or a hearty stew of roasted root vegetables and a slice of sourdough bread, using local ingredients is a win-win situation.
Here are some local activities that enable us to support our agricultural community and provide healthy, nutritious food for ourselves and our families:
The Sechelt Farmers Market announced: “Our 2024 Season is starting a little early this year [March 30th] because what’s Easter without handmade goodies from the market?!?!” This will be my fourth year volunteering at the market, and I can say with absolute certainty that it is my favourite place to shop. Vendors can register at [email protected] or email [email protected].
I’m proud to be the community relations coordinator for the One Straw Society, a local non-profit that supports a multitude of activities to help “nurture a local, resilient and sustainable food system on the Sunshine Coast.”
• Their Food Box program opens on Feb. 20 (www.onestraw.ca/foodbox/). As the OSS website proclaims, Community Supported Agriculture provides subscribers with “a direct connection to the seeds, soil and people that nourish us!” Subsidies are available (dependent on donations). For those in Halfmoon Bay who need financial assistance, funds are being collected. If readers would like to donate, please contact me at [email protected]. By doing so, you ensure that your friends and neighbours who need a helping hand can avail themselves of local, nutritious food delivered to their neighbourhood.
• Michelle, proprietor of the Halfmoon Bay Nursery, has told me that Seedy Saturday (the Society’s Seeds of March seed swap) will be part of the HMB Nursery’s Spring Market on March 16. Market vendors can apply at 604-885-2760 or by email at [email protected]. Save the date! There’s lots of local food, artisans and music at our neighbourhood market!
• After months of dedicated work, The Kitchen (www.onestraw.ca/the-kitchen/) is coming to the Tiny Farm in Roberts Creek. I have been privileged to be involved in this project and can’t wait to see it come to fruition later this summer. Visit their website to discover the creative ways in which this “mini-commissary” will benefit our communities. To complete The Kitchen, funds are needed, from equipment and land preparation to finishing touches. If you wish to donate or help, please visit their website.
I recently attended a presentation by Chris Hergesheimer about the SCCSS Food Security Programs (see the SCCSS website). In no uncertain terms, he told us about the “grim” state of our food system and their strategies to address urgent food insecurity needs. Take a few minutes to find out how you can help.
The next time you purchase from a farmer or food-based business or interact with a group addressing local food insecurity, please take time to thank them for all they do!
