Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-08-12, Page 21THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12,1992. PAGE 21. Little opposition voiced at stable funding meeting Despite some letters to the editor in newspapers and at least one noisy protest, the vast majority of farmers who attend open house ses­ sions to discuss stable funding for Ontario general farm organizations seem in favour of the plan, officials say. The committee studying the plan stopped in Seaforth July 22, the 10th of 14 such sessions, to let Huron and Perth farmers have their say. Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), the Ontario Federa­ tion of Agriculture (OFA), Chris­ tian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) and National Farmers Union (NFU) have been taking part in the open houses. There has been criticism of the format of having a series of tables where farmers can talk to represen- What does it really cost to eat? BY W. J. BAXTER WELLINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL RESPRESENTATIVE The other day in the supermarket, I met a lady pawing through the bacon. “No way at these prices”, she muttered to me. “Try to look at the cost per serving”, I replied. For too long we have looked at the price per pound or per package and not considered what it really costs to feed our family. For example, for breakfast I might want two slices of bacon, an egg and a glass of milk. That breakfast this week costs me about 75 cents. Throw in a glass of orange juice and a couple of slices of bread, butter, some jam if you like, and you're still looking at less than $1.25 for an excellent breakfast, high enough in energy and protein to sustain a working man or growing child. It is also complete with respect to vitamin tatives of the various groups, says Gary Johnson, Communications director of OFA but the format gives them a chance to get their questions answered, one on one. The stable funding would require all farmers in Ontario making more than $7000 in gross farm sales to register in order to take advantage of some programs like the farm tax rebate. The names of farmers who have registered is then turned over to a registrar who will bill farmers $150 a year. Farmers can direct the fee to any of the three farm organi­ zations. If they don't choose a group to support, the money is put in a pool and divided between the three groups. The $150 fee will remain the same for three years. Roily Stroeter, director of OMAF's farm programs branch, said response had been good at the and mineral requirements - all for less than $1.25. Remember, if you buy your bacon trimmed and sliced thinner, you get more slices per lb. Food prices are not high. A roast of beef at $8.50 per kg. will cost about $1.93 per 1/2 lb. serving. Round that out with fresh or frozen vegetables and locally-grown potatoes, and we're talking real food cost of $2.50 or less per person. Of course, you can buy your food already prepared for your oven or microwave. If you want to do this, please be willing to pay someone else's wages to prepare your food for you. But don't call it food cost. It's preparation and packaging cost.l Agriculture Canada, which monitors food prices in all major cities across Canada, tells us that it costs about $1.50 per meal to properly feed the average person in Toronto. Of course, we can eat more than we need in both quantity and quality and pay more sessions with an average of over 60 attending each open house. While the idea of having afternoon ses­ sions had been ridiculed, there had been more people attending in the afternoon than at night. Mr. Stroeter said he had attended all but three of the sessions to date. Although the NFU had been criti­ cal of the stable funding proposal, it has been taking part in the ses­ sions, Mr. Stroeter said, although the NFU table was unattended as the Seaforth session began. There was one disruption at the open house at Ayton where a group tried to hold a public meeting after the regular open house was over. In general, though, Mr. Stroeter said, those opposing the proposal have been a minority. After the public meetings are completed Wednesday (today) in ( accordingly. Food in Ontario is a real bargain, both in price and quality. As long as Canadians are spending less than 16 per cent of our take-home pay for take-home food, we should consider ourselves very fortunate. That's the lowest anywhere in the world, and the quality is the highest. If another one or two per cent would keep fresh, Ontario produce on our tables, we should consider it part of the cost of the high standard of living we enjoy so much. PER ANNUM WETLANDS ARE NOT WASTELANDS Wetlands purify water, help control flooding, and provide valuable wildlife habitat. Guelph, the steering committee of OMAF and farm group representa­ tives will meet with Minister of Agriculture and Food Elmer Buchanan. If their report is accept­ ed, the program will be submitted to the cabinet for approval in prin­ cipal. If accepted, the legislation WRESTLING WITH MONEY PROBLEMS? . * HOME REPAIRS VACATION » FUNDS SCHOOL TUITION NEWiZ VEHICLES LET YOUR CREDIT UNION HELP LOAN RATES AS LOW AS *Llfe Insurance Included if Eligible Clinton Community CREDIT UNION 48 Ontario Street 374 Main Street South CLINTON, 482-3467 EXETER 235-0640 will start to be drafted in Septem­ ber. It may be late this fall before the bill is ready for introduction in the legislature. It had been hoped to have the legislation in place to start the program in January 1993, Mr. Stroeter said, but timing may be too tight to accomplish that now.