by David Parkinson
Could the time be right for Powell River to have a food co-op? Maybe a small-scale growers’ co-op, or a food processing co-op?
On the first weekend in November, I traveled to Duncan, BC, to speak to the AGM of the Island Farmers’ Alliance about Powell River’s battle for the future of its ALR lands. My host, Catherine Pastula, is one of the main organizers behind Local Flavours (http://www.doyourselfaflavour.com), which is a new cooperative association of small value-added producers throughout BC. Their mandate is to help value-added food producers develop a business plan, find a location, purchase equipment, get certification, develop marketing materials, and start producing and selling high-quality local foods. Producers will be able to put the Local Flavours brand on their products, and distribute their goods through the network of other producers, reaching many more people than might otherwise be possible as a startup. What a great idea!
Powell River has countless opportunities for small-scale food processing, just waiting for people with the right entrepreneurial spirit. Imagine if all of the fruit and nuts that currently go to waste were gathered and processed into jams, jellies, ciders, vinegars, and other products, using a certified kitchen facility.
Another idea that seems to be gathering support is a food cooperative, which allows people to join together cooperatively in order to reduce the cost of food. Food co-ops require a high degree of work and commitment, but they connect people more closely to their food supply, and allow them to choose where their food dollars go. Thanks to the 50-mile diet, people in this region are very conscious of the value of locally-grown food. Maybe we need to start connecting farmers and city folk more closely, so that everyone benefits.
Interested in learning more about the value of co-ops? Then come out on Monday November 19 at 7:00 PM at Ecole Côte du Soleil to hear Adriane Carr of the Green Party and Leocadio Juracan Salome of the Guatemalan Campesino Committee of the Highlands speak on the subject “Taking Control of our Economies and Resources”.
Email fsp@prepsociety.org for more details.