2 minute read
What’s In Your Shopping Cart?
If you’d like to be involved see Ol’ MacDonald Farm, Duncan Farmer’s Market macdonaldcam@gmail.com Earth is bountiful--Gaia’s very nature is one of creation, of gifts. The temperate rainforest of the Northwest Pacific Coast has historically been one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. And the Cowichan Valley? It’s a pretty darn nice place to live. It’s 2021 and history has delivered us to a very comfortable place.
But it depends on who you’re talking to.
So: what is in your shopping cart? Grass fed beef, fresh organic vegetables, wild caught salmon, quinoa and coconut water? Or instant noodles, frozen vegetables, Kraft dinner and soda pop? Maybe this week there’s nothing in your shopping cart.
It seems that despite our best efforts to treat one another equally and to help those in need, when it comes to the food we eat, late stage capitalism has created a two tier system. One tier is served by the health and
wellness food industry and allows those of means to eat the best and healthiest food on the planet. Think Farm Store. The other is the child of Big Agriculture (Big Oil Big Sugar etc.) and has many eating what they can afford: processed foods, fast food, stale bread--whatever is cheap. Think Dollar Store. Think Food Bank.
Social programs and charitable organizations go a long way to addressing this disparity and thank goodness for them. Cash donations and bulk buying ensure that more bellies are full, but if we want everybody in our community to thrive we need to pay attention to what kind of food they are filled with. To put it simply: it’s got to be delicious and it’s got to be nutritious! Local farmers and food producers can help ensure that some of the food that goes into everybody’s shopping cart—and our bellies—is both tasty and nutrient-dense.
At the Saturday June 5th Duncan Farmer’s Market Ol’ MacDonald Farm is starting a pilot program by donating ten $25 food boxes of fresh vegetables and eggs to those with limited access to whole food. We are inviting willing market customers and vendors to join us with contributions so we can continue this program for the season.
Please come down to the market on June 5th to see the beautiful living painting that we have created to mark this occasion; and let us know if you’d like to get involved. Because everybody deserves to eat healthy food.
Zak Stolk
Violin Maker 25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.
Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double
Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed Instruments.
