Could Local Food Impact Hot Button Issues?

Over the past week or so I have encountered a few headlines on social media that have caught my eye pertaining to our food system. If you have been following along with our blogs before you know about the expression “Love every idea for 5 minutes.” While scrolling through this blog try to keep that in mind. 

Hot Button Issue #1 

The greenbelt versus Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. According to Green Belt, 53% of Ontario’s fruit acreage and 11% of Ontario’s vegetable acreage are located in this region. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the amount of farm direct fruit and veggie sales in the region. It makes me wonder… What would be the impact if more folks bought produce directly from the farmers who operate in the greenbelt? 

• Could it lead to more opportunities in agriculture? 
• Would people develop a deeper understanding of the issue? 
• Would more vegetables be grown in Ontario as a result of consumers buying local vegetables? 
• Are farms being sold because the next generation doesn’t want to farm? 
• Is the land being sold because farmers in Ontario can no longer make a living? 

Hot Button Issue #2 

Canada’s grocery monopoly/oligopoly. Let’s face it, Canada’s grocery stores are controlled by three major players. What would you say if I told you there was over 25,917 farms across Canada that sell goods directly from the farm? (StatCan, 2022). If everyone in Canada was able to source one local meal per week or even per month, how would that impact local communities on an economic level? Let alone the health, educational and environmental impacts. 

Hot Button Issue #3 

The Lack of Lettuce. You may have discovered the cost or shortage of lettuce over the past few weeks. Isn’t it crazy to think that almost all of Canada’s lettuce comes from a truck? That means when a drought or disease hits a lettuce farm in the United States, Canadians cannot enjoy a Ceaser salad. Now I know climate has a lot to say about fresh vegetables in Canada at this time of year (December) but with a plant like lettuce greenhouses and vertical farms are great options for mass production. Again it begs the question would sourcing local lead to more local agriculture? 

Hot Button Issue #4 

Egg Shortage in the UK and the importance of the “little guy.” As the amount of small farmer operations decrease, the more the large operations continue to expand. When a disease like the avian flu comes to the barn and whips out a flock of chickens it can create egg shortages if that is your only egg supplier. Not to mention the fact that super bugs are usually born in super dense areas. You may have heard of the expression “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

G’day is a platform that connects you with local farms and producers, allowing you to buy your groceries straight from the folks that produce them. From produce to protein, wine to cheese, you’ll find it on G’day!