The Rural Voice, 1993-07, Page 33food may be imported from countries
that might have different rules on
what chemicals can be used, when
what's listed on the label might be
governed by an arbitrary decision by
a bureaucrat.
While the pick-up days provide a
chance to meet the consumer and for
members to exchange recipes as they
pick up their vegetables, Budd is
trying to encourage members to let
him deliver right to their door. For $3
a week for two deliveries, or $2 for
one delivery, he'll drive right to their
door if they come from nearby
Goderich. It doesn't make sense, says
the ecologically minded farmer, to
have all those cars driving out to the
farm when one trip will do.
He ties in the trips with a recycling
project, picking up organic wastes
that he brings back to the farm and
feeds through pigs or chickens, the
most efficient way of using up
wastes.
The beauty of CSAs is that they
produce food close to their market, he
says. The original group included
people from as far away as Wingham,
Blyth and Dungannon but it makes
most sense for others to start CSAs in
those areas rather than have people
travel a long way, he says. He can see
the potential for CSAs to be set up
near most towns (he thinks Goderich
A small greenhouse is used for
starting plants but a larger one
would stretch the season.
could support four or five) and the
potential in the area surrounding
cities like Kitchener -Waterloo and
London is almost unlimited. Staying
close to the consumer is important.
"It's the community connection we're
trying to make, not just producing
cheap food."
Part of that connection is the
community -building of the social side
of the Budd operation. There's a
square dance each spring and
fundraising takes place to help fund
the operation. That connection also
helps teach people the rhythm of the
seasons. In a modern supermarket
there is so much imported food that
seasonal delicacies like strawberries
or sweet corn are available year
round. When the consumers must
wait for fruits and vegetables to come
into season they learn the sweetness
of anticipation.
They also learn the realities of
food production. Despite his best
efforts, for instance, Budd may have
difficulties with ear worms in sweet
com. If he tells them in advance there
might be a problem, his members
don't have a problem. They'd rather
put up with the odd worm than have
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JULY 1993 29