It's been a relative while since there have been updates here. Sure, we're all busy, and it's not as if I haven't had any ideas to share, but time really seems to get away from me.
Last night Jon Steinman, host of one of my favorite radio programmes, Deconstructing Dinner, graced a Sackville audience with a message of fact, hope, and action. Explaining how our food system in Canada is run, primarily, by a handful of big and powerful (and largely invisible) companies, Jon challenged this town to take other avenues to food supply. Giving examples from a single place, Nelson, BC, where he lives, Jon introduced ideas like a grain CSA, a buyers club, and a *real* cooperative grocery store. Nelson is twice the size of Sackville, but can be a true inspiration for a place like this.
Discussion followed, as often does at these things, and people from all corners of the food web shared their hopes, frustrations, and curiousities. To me, there are some things that are evident:
We know stuff. People in this town are somewhat aware of some of the problems (I call them problems, others might not see it this way. We'll agree to disagree) in our food system. Something just isn't right, and although we can't put our finger on just what it is or how it got that way, it doesn't sit easy in our gut. Pun intended. When things are great, like veggies directly from the farm at our farmer's market, and people learning about growing their own food, we know it, and it gives us a push to keep going.
People are itching to do something. They just don't know what. How do young people who so badly want to contribute to this community knowing they may not be settled here for very long, take on a long term project like starting a buying club? Or having a garden or a farm for most of the year? And how do the people that are here for the long-haul get enough knowledgeable and capable people to contribute their skills to something. And, most importantly, where on earth do we start?
I know there is a ways to go, in every community. The idea of being self-sustaining, for my own life is a goal of my own for someday in the future. But I also want to be a part of a community where that is a priority for everyone. This is the cause I have found for me, but not everyone feels this way, or sees the importance in this issue. It's too bad, because we all eat, and we all must survive.
But there are success stories, and this issue is starting to resonate with people. A conversation I had with my family around the dinner table - how fitting - was one step to a greater awareness. If these conversations get out there, and people start talking about food and caring about food and the system that "sustains" us, then maybe we can get somewhere.
Talking is big. Invade the sound waves of eavesdroppers and passers-by with this stuff. Today alone I found myself immersed in four or five conversations about what needs to happen and what can happen in a place like Sackville, and not all of them initiated by me (though I do take any opportunity I can get to talk about food). The truly amazing thing about all of the chatting I did today was that people were being completely practical. The introducer of Jon last night mentioned that this "foovement" is no longer just a "hippie hope," and she was right. There are real people working real jobs, driving cars, living life who all care about food, and they do it with passion!
So, I want to take this momentum, and this energy with me as I slowly remove myself from Sackville for the, er, second time. I also hope it stays here and gets bigger.
Talk it up - it's a big deal.
