Starting farms: let's get this thing rolling!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ross Moster on April 13, 2011 at 10:52pm

Excellent question Jennifer. Well, I'd say I'd like to see farms connect with neighbourhood villages (i.e. sell food to) in some organized way. There seem to be a variety of models - neighbourhood pocket markets, CSA's, pre-orders, NOW BC Co-op, pickup from farm, delivery to a front porch, and so on.  David, didn't you comment about this a few months back re: coordinating around supplying what's not being grown in the neighbourhood?

Does that sound like Transition?

Cheers,

Ross

VV and Neighbourhood Food Networks convenor

 

Permalink Reply by Randy Chatterjee on April 14, 2011 at 9:20am

Distribution is the key.  There is enough work just to grow the produce, without having to manage the many steps and fall-backs necessary to ensure waste-free and equitable distribution.  

By waste-free, I mean that no edible produce leaving the ground ever is discarded due to failure to sell in a given time-frame.  

Equitable means that the produce captures a fair market price based on the ability of consumers to pay for it.  There might be differential pricing to ensure those with less financial resources are not shut out of the market for healthy food.  

Along with several other community groups, Village Vancouver is developing a flexible, community-based "Underground Market" system of distribution to fulfill these two goals, and ensure farmers receive the maximum financial return on their efforts.  

We need to build a sustainable economic model where every participant receives what he or she needs.  

When a basic distribution system is in place, we can begin equitable bargaining to ensure there is no waste.