It is my firm belief we can find more to agree on than disagree over. You just need to take the time to be patient and something surprising will reveal itself.
This came home last week when I realized Community Comment colleague Mike Schneider (with whom I rarely agree) and I do agree on something - buying local farm products.
Last year I was too late to take part in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a testament to its popularity. The seed was planted. I made a point of getting on the list early this year.
I know of two run by local farms, Earthwise Garden in Tsawwassen and Cropthorne Farm in Ladner. CSA programs are one way the new generation of young farmers can rest assured they have an income. As a CSA member, I pay the total cost upfront at the beginning of the season. This is a good thing for small-sized farmers as they grow their business.
Every Tuesday I arrive at the farm, ready for my box of organically grown vegetables and herbs. For a little extra, I also receive a dozen eggs. Those happy chickens are truly free range. To my delight, each week brings a treasure of nutritious food. To open the box is to make me smile.
The box also brings a challenge. There are some vegetables I am completely unfamiliar with. Like many people, if I didn't grow up with a certain food because my mom didn't cook it, I never tried it.
But now, with the aid of online recipe sites, I weed out the best and am mastering fennel, broad beans, kale and more. Each week brings a new palate-pleasing presentation.
There are other ways to sprout support for local farmers. When we shop at the local grocery store, we should insist that local farm produce be available. Ask the produce manager where the Delta and/or Lower Mainland grown produce is. Imagine what a purchasing order from Thrifty Foods, Safeway or Save-On would do for a local medium-sized farmer?
Buying local should mean we could expect to see our farming neighbor's harvest available and clearly labeled as such. And it might mean the generic cookie cutter design of our grocery stores adapts to more local and unique food stock items. Now there's a row to hoe.
I note that some local and regional restaurants do their part too. Illuminate of Tsawwassen purchases veggies locally. And the Guichon farm supplies White Spot with its potatoes. If there are others, please say so on your menus and let us know.
Large industrial farming operations command a lot of shelf space at the grocery store. And I am not knocking the need for a variety of suppliers. But people question the agriculture practices of some countries as to their use of pesticides and fertilizers. Nutritional values are dubious in certain cases.
Join me in discovering the pleasure of appreciating locally grown food and saluting the farmers who make it happen.
For me, nothing beats home grown flavour. Bon appetit!
