‘Eating local’ worth millions to region
Driving by the high school in Stayner this summer you couldn’t help but notice the sign with the simple message. “If you ate today, thank a farmer.”
The benefits of ‘eating local’ have been well publicized — fewer food miles are better for the environment, fresher produce is healthier and tastes better. We understand buying local provides income for farmers but often overlook the larger role food and agriculture plays in Simcoe County’s economy.
Beyond supporting farming families and their employees, buying locally supports many agriculture-related businesses such as manufacturing, real estate and insurance, construction, transportation and storage, and business services.
According to the ‘Economic Impact of Agriculture on The Economy of Simcoe County’ report published by Harry Cummings and Associates, in 1999 there were 573 agriculture-related businesses in Simcoe County. Approximately 14,000 jobs (or 9.2%) of Simcoe County’s total employment can be attributed to farms and farm-related businesses.
The Rural Development Potential Report put out by the Intergovernmental Action Plan in 2006 recorded that total farm sales in the Simcoe County was $293,933,003 in 2001. Additionally, there were $265 million in direct and $529 million in indirect sales associated with agriculture in the county.
As we continue to lose fertile land to development and the cost of farming increases, communities are looking for sustainable solutions to secure local agriculture, ensuring the future prosperity of Simcoe County.
“First we need to look at how to support our existing farms, and then look at how we are going to create new farmers,” says Chris Currie, owner of Currie’s Farm Market in Collingwood.
Farmgate markets, such as Currie’s, connect the farmer directly to the consumer. In addition to their own produce, Currie’s carries other products from neighbouring farms and local food producers.
Currie notes there are still challenges associated with farmgate markets. Overhead costs such as rent, hydro, and labour make farmgate markets financially unviable for many farmers and accessibility is a concern for some customers.
The relatively new ‘Food Hub’ concept, such as The Stop in Toronto, may provide solutions for these challenges. Regional ‘Food Hubs’ connect local buyers and sellers and provide the facilities for food producers to store, package, promote, sell and distribute their products.
As communities look to ways to increase local food consumption, they are also looking for ways to bring in farm revenue from outside sources.
Culinary and Agri-tourism, such as Blue Mountain’s award-winning Apple Pie Trail, draws local and international travelers to the area.
“The Apple Pie Trail provides a foundation to build on for local food,” remarks Patti Kendall, Marketing & Events Manager for the Apple Pie Trail.
Participating farms and businesses benefit from access to international marketing and promotion on a scale they could never afford on their own, and provides opportunities to create new alliances with the fellow businesses involved.
First-year ‘trail’ members T&K Ferri Orchards note that the majority of visitors to the farm found them through the Apple Pie Trail.
INITIATIVES IN ACTION
The family-owned Currie’s Farm Market started in 1957 and spans three generations.
Currie’s offers a wide selection of natural, organic and sustainable foods, much of which comes from their own farm.
Currie’s Farm Market is one of 32 stops along the Apple Pie Trail.
The Apple Pie Trail is a year-round culinary trail developed five years ago by the Village at Blue Mountain Association.
Offering more than food stops, the self-guided route incorporates custom cooking classes, wineries, local apple history, and seasonal adventure experiences such as a Paddle & Wine Tasting.
CALL TO ACTION
Individual: Commit to spending $10/week on local food. Explore the local food options in your community.
Business & Organizations: Find ways to increase the amount of local food you serve.
The Food for Thought: A Call to Action event in November will provide community members a forum to discuss ways to increase local food consumption in order to strengthen our local food system.
• Currie’s Farm Market
curriesfarmmarket.ca
736 Sixth Street
Collingwood, Ontario
Open seasonally from May – December
Daily from 9 am until 6 pm.
• Apple Pie Trail
www.applepietrail.ca
Go to Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. for more resources. You can also join the ‘local food’ conversation with us on Twitter; just use our hashtag, #FoodForThoughtEB
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