Farmers Feed Cities!

The “Farmers Feed Cities” thread is designed to focus on the importance of buying local and not just local food, but local products in general. I may only be one member, but I strongly believe that CAP should make this a high priority, especially as the economy continues to tank and more and more locals are losing their jobs. On the bright side to all this, I have noticed a push lately that everyday people are making to “buy Ontario”.

Here is a list of ways to become more conscious about your spending:

• Stop buying California & S.American fruit. Ontario is a haven for locally grown fruit and veggies!

• If you’re going to spend $60+ for a family meal at a restaurant, make it count! Local restaurants always offer better taste, value and culture.

• Attend local farmers markets

• Buy local furniture. Chances are if you take a drive out into the country or do a simply search online you will find beautiful, locally made furniture. The greatest part about buying Canadian furniture (especially wood products) is that it will outlast Ikea furniture any day of the week!

• Avoid the BIG BOXES! They may have plenty of “deals” but very little of that money you spend there is going back out to your community. Support your neighbours and check out their stores first. Usually they are willing to haggle on price.

• Plant your own garden. While this may not benefit others in the community it will benefit your bank account. While gardens are costly at first, the value is made up for in a season of gardening. Once planted, an evening watering and the occasional weeding is all that is needed for fresh fruits and veggies. So easy, so quick, so good.

• Buy North American automobiles. In Ontario especially, this is a huge industry and by supporting your North American brands such as GM, Dodge, Chrysler and Ford, and recently Honda and Toyota (in select towns & cities) you are putting your money back into the hands of your neighbours.

• Volunteer. A cluster of houses and apartment buildings becomes a community when neighbours help neighbours.

Always remember a big part of why your neighbourhood and surrounding neighbourhoods look so good and are bustling with business, families and playgrounds are because you, the tax payer and the consumer, are putting your money back into the community.

Here is a list of websites to visit promoting the “Buy Local” campaign:

Farmers Feed Cities
Farmers' Markets Ontario
Ontario Association of Food Banks
Buy Local. Think Global
Penwood Furniture
Mennonite Furniture Ontario
Sustainable Table

I have landed an interview with a lady from Farmers Feed Cities. I will post it on here once it is completed and edited.

Videos like Iggy's are very easy to shoot and edit. Power Director is less than $200 dollars..
Very few of Connie Fogal's videos were professionally shot. All were popular. just a matter of getting the leader to a Farmer's market. (And having the NE take the duct tape off mouth).
www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/video-micha...al-food-policy-week/

BTW Melissa is far and away the most photogenic of all the national leaders. There is totally no excuse for not taking her down to the nearest farmers market, handing her a Zucchini (or seasonal veggie) and shooting a basic video via camcorder, vhs or cell phone of her promoting local/organic produce. Takes a max of an hour to shoot and edit. If you can't edit email me.