SooToday Article: Local slaughterhouse on its last legs?

By Carol Martin
SooToday.com
Monday, March 30, 2009

Article Here

Northern Quality Meats, the district of Algoma’s only abattoir, is in big trouble, say several members of its board of directors.

The Desbarats slaughterhouse has been in operation for eight years.

If the plant does go belly-up, no one in this area is going to get local meat and more than a few area meat producers are going to be out of business, warns Russ Christianson, a former general manager of the Ontario Federation of Food Co-ops and Clubs.

Karen Shaule, chair of the Algoma Federation of Agriculture, says it would take the cost of the business plus at least $100,000 in additional upgrades to be re-open Northern Quality Meats if it does close its doors.

But Shaule doesn’t think it would be very likely that the abbatoir could rise again if it goes bankrupt.

Christianson says the pending loss of our area abattoir is the greatest and most imminent threat to local food security and to the formation of healthy, thriving agricultural co-operatives.

“We had a group of farmers come together and throw money in a pot,” said Alf Roberts, a farmer from Sylvan Valley and a member of the abattoir’s board of directors.

“It was getting to be fall time and we had a bunch of farmers that needed animals killed,” he told the two dozen or so people gathered last week at a workshop at Algoma University.

“We had eight out of ten of our ducks in a row, but the ones we were missing were the $30,000 to $40,000 ones for the value-added processes,” Roberts said. “These never did show up. So we’ve been running by the skin of our teeth for the past eight years.”

Another Algoma farmer, Ken MacLeod said that, if there was a sound business plan and someone who could properly manage the plant and market the meat, there are a few area farmers who would buy it tomorrow.

Roberts said there will be a meeting for people with an interest in Northern Quality Meats’ success on April 2 and the plan is to ask all the farmers who use the plant to pitch in another $100 each.

“That will keep us going for the next few months,” Roberts said. “Long enough to work with Algoma University to create a good, solid business and recovery plan for it.”

A steering committee of people in attendance at last week’s workshop was formed with revitalization of Northern Quality Meats its first self-appointed task.

At least three board members from the abattoir were at the workshop seeking ways to save the business.

They sat at the table with steering committee members to begin the work of maintaining and revitalizing the company.

Sault Ste. Marie’s 2nd Annual Seedy Saturday, 28 February 2009

Seedy Saturday is a day for people to share, sell and swap their heritage seeds and stories. Sault Ste. Marie’s 2^nd Annual Seedy Saturday will be held in the Native Centre—G Wing—of Sault College from 10 am to 3 pm.

Last year’s event was organized by Clean North with the help of the Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society and Seeds of Diversity Canada and was a great success. People came to swap their open pollinated seeds, attend gardening talks and visit the numerous vendors who offered local and area food and craft items.

“We were excited that there was so much interest in our first Seedy Saturday last year,” says Suzanne Hanna, co-organizer. “We received so many favourable comments that we decided to do it again. By bringing together gardeners, farmers, and citizens passionate about the environment and access to safe, healthy food, we hope to encourage individuals to become involved in growing veggies, sharing seeds with their neighbours and friends and helping to protect agricultural diversity in their own backyards.”

This year Clean North is pleased to announce that Sault College has come on board as one of Seedy Saturday’s sponsors and is offering their site as the new location for this year’s expanded event.  USC Canada, another sponsor, is providing a guest speaker. Kate Green from USC’s Seeds of Survival program will be traveling from Ottawa to the Sault to show the documentary, ‘Hijacked Future’ and speak about food sovereignty and international seed saving efforts.

Little did Sharon Rempel know when she designed and organized the first Seedy Saturday in Vancouver in February 1989 that her “seedy” idea would germinate into over 50 separate annual events across Canada. With the help of Seeds of Diversity, formerly known as Canada’s Heritage Seed Program, volunteer gardeners and farmers work together to grow, propagate and distribute over 1900 varieties of vegetables, fruit, grains, flowers and herbs, many of them treasured family favourites that are not widely offered by commercial seed companies.

The highlight of each and every Seedy Saturday is the community seed exchange that will take place between 12:00-3 pm. If you would like to swap your saved seeds, be sure to bring your labelled envelopes containing open pollinated varieties of seed to the registration desk between 10 and 11 am. There will be seed for sale as well.

Guest speakers will provide information from 11 am to 3 pm on a variety of topics such as seed saving, composting with worms, invasive species, and guerrilla gardening. There will be local and area environmental, food security and gardening displays with plenty of free handouts. The Farmer’s Market and other vendors will have products for sale, Katimavik will be on hand to provide children’s activities and there will even be healthy refreshments for sale at our Seedy Saturday Cafe.

As an added bonus, Cinema Politica will be hosting the viewing of ‘King Corn’, a feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation at 7 pm in the Multimedia Centre located in the B Wing of Sault College. Refreshments and a panel discussion will follow.

Our venue is wheelchair accessible and parking is free.

For more information, contact Suzanne Hanna at (705) 759-2893 wildgardener@shaw.ca

 

The Future of Food (a must see film)

What are we eating?

The film “The Future of Food” will be shown this Friday night, (August 1st) at Algoma University at 7pm in the Westlife Amphitheatre (Room NW 200), as part of the Cinema Politica Film Series (www.cinemapolitica.org/saultstemarie) .

The Future of Food offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled our grocery store shelves for the past decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply.

Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.

We will be having a special panel discussion after the film, which will include local individuals involved in agriculture in various capacities. If you’re concerned about what is happening to our food system and want to learn more, this is a must see film!

Hope to see you there…please pass it on!

Guest Facilitator: Lee-Ann Chevrette

Algoma Farmers’ Market 1st Family Day Huge Success!

The Algoma Farmers’ Market’s 1st Family Day on Saturday July 12th was a big hit! It was the busiest market day that I have seen in the 5 years that I’ve been involved with the market, and there were more families with children on this one day than I’ve seen cumulatively in that same time. It was great!

Lena’s fantastic face painting was a hit with the kids, as were Halina’s craft table, Kayla’s balloons, the sunflower seed planting and the great music by Jeff! The vendors were very excited to see so many new and young faces, and were also pleased with the increased sales!

Congratulations to Jennie Pearce who did a great job organizing and whose animals (a duck, a rabbit, a rooster and Wilbur the potbelly pig) did a great job entertaining the children!

A lot of families said it was their first time coming out to the Market and they were pleased to see so much yummy food for sale. Many said they plan to come back next week. If anyone has any ideas for fun stuff they can do at the market with kids, please let us know. The kids might be the ‘hook’ to get young families out to the market. We are also looking for some buskers to play music at the market.

Thanks to all who attended and helped make it such a huge success! SooToday did a great story on the event. Here is the link:

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=33278

 

Make sure you look at the additional photos to see all the happy faces on those who attended!

Allard Street Community Gardens Open House Thursday July 10th, 2-4pm!

The Allard Street Community Gardens will be having an open house tomorrow, July 10th, between 2-4pm. They will be celebrating the newly expanded gardens, made possible by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Come tour the gardens and enjoy some children’s activities, cake and juice.

Hope to see you there!

Family Day at Algoma Farmers’ Market- July 12th, 2008

The Algoma Farmers’ Market and the Algoma Food Network have joined forces to hold the first “Family Day” at the Algoma Farmers’ Market. The goal is to increase the Market’s profile, and to raise awareness about local food and farms, and community food security.

 

When and Where?

Roberta Bondar Park (under the Farmers’ Market Tent)

Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

July 12, 8am-noon

 

Great Activities for the whole family!

 

Available for purchase from local vendors:

Locally grown fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, fresh baked goods, maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, homemade preserves,

and many beautiful handcrafted items.

 

All activities are free and everyone is welcome!

Free parking¨Wheelchair accessible

 Support our farmers! Buy Local, Buy Fresh from Algoma Farmers’ Market!

Benefit from fresh wholesome foods and products, grown and produced with loving care in your community!

 Make it a weekly Habit!

 For more information contact:

Jennie Pearce, Algoma Farmers’ Market at 253-1745 or

Lee-Ann Chevrette, Algoma Food Network at 254-2821

(www.algomafoodnetwork.wordpress.com/)

 

 

 

New Evening Community Kitchens Program

The Canadian Red Cross is starting up a new evening Community Kitchens program. Community Kitchens are a great way to meet new people and have fun, to take home some delicious and nutritious meals, to develop new cooking skills and to save time and money by sharing in the cost of food.

Cooking dates:   June 9^th, July 14^th, August 11^th, 2008

Where: Best Start Hub/ Child Care Algoma, 148 Dacey Road

Time: 6:pm to 7:30pm

 

Menu for June 9^th: Bean Me Up Scotty (soup), The Thigh Who Loved Me

                                (bbq chicken) and noodles, LA Slaw and BonBon Jovi (dessert).

                                (Recipes courtesy of Looney Spoons and Crazy Plates.)

 

Kitchen cost is $5.00 per family

 

Please Contact:

Mara at the Canadian Red Cross – 759-4547    

or Gisella at Best Start Hub/Child Care Algoma – 945-8898 ext 246 

 

Spaces limited to 6 families

 

Early Learning Activities are provided courtesy of Best Start Hub/Child Care Algoma

40 Ways to Encourage More Local Food Production

How To Change the Food System

Here’s the collected wisdom of Guy Dauncey and Carolyn Herriot of Earth Future in Victoria, BC:

40 Ways to Encourage More Local Food Production

For Local Food Growing Champions

1. Form a non-profit society or alliance to champion local food growing, and spearhead a “Grow Closer to Home” food movement for growers and farmers.
2. Work with your municipality to establish Community Allotment Gardens.
3. Hold regular Sustainable Food Forums for networking, education and planning.
4. Organize organic year-round food growing courses and workshops, including for youth, people on low incomes, and ethnic minorities.
5. Encourage micro-market gardening in the city, and Spin Farming.
6. Establish community canning workshops where people can work together to can food.
7. Establish a Farmers Cooperative to share skills, materials, and marketing.
8. Establish a Young Farmers Institute for the next generation of farmers.
9. Encourage more Brown Box and Community Supported Agriculture programs.
10. Celebrate local food through festivals, community events, and by showcasing public food-growing gardens.
11. Encourage more seed saving by organizing an annual Seedy Saturday community show.
12. Encourage Community Fruit Tree Projects to harvest unwanted fruit, and have it juiced for sale and for fundraisers.
13. Create a “Buy Local” label for use in retail food stores.
14. Work with food distributors (e.g. Sysco, Neptune) to get locally produced food into the food distribution system.

For Municipal Councils

15. Make an inventory of all available land, both city-owned and otherwise.
16. Pass a resolution stating the importance of local food cultivation, listing the many benefits of greater food self-sufficiency, and including a goal that most food consumed locally should be grown within a few hundred miles. (e.g. Berkeley Climate Action Plan). Integrate food cultivation into all municipal planning documents. The American Planning Association’s Policy Guide on Regional and Community Food Planning (May 2007) contains 26 recommendations.
17. Support the development of Farmers’ Markets and neighbourhood food stands.
18. Prioritize the use of local organic food at all city-owned events and facilities.
19. Set a goal to develop new Community Allotment Gardens every year, supported by municipal staff. (Seattle has 5.5 municipal staff who support 65 gardens). Create a Matching Grant Fund to support the development of new Gardens, and offer small grants to help with soil-building, water systems, tool sheds, deer-fencing, and improvements.
20. Form a public Community Allotment Gardening Advisory Committee.
21. Pass a bylaw facilitating the development of temporary Community Allotment Gardens on vacant land, and encourage the leasing of vacant land to the municipality or to a Community Gardens Society for the price of the taxes.
22. Issue permits to encourage the development of commercial urban food growing operations.
23. Require the provision of food gardening space in all larger development proposals. In smaller developments, require a development cost charge payment to a Community Gardens Fund.
24. Permit the long-term use of temporary dwellings on farmland for agricultural workers.
25. Integrate ornamentals with edibles, bio-remediation, fiber and medicinal plants in city landscape planning.
26. Establish a community-wide composting program (as in Ladysmith, BC; Halifax, NS; San Francisco, CA).
27. Allowing easier permitting for composting toilets and grey-water irrigation systems.

For the Provincial Government

28. Support “Buy Local” campaigns with grants and other means.
29. Provide financial support for apprenticeship and internship programs created by organic growers.
30. Provide grants and low interest loans to help new farmers buy land, including for the cooperative purchase of land by groups and Land Trusts.
31. Prohibit the removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve without replacement with equivalent quality farmland.
32. Revoke the legislation that caused many local livestock slaughtering operations to close down.
33. Remove regulatory barriers that prevent local stores from selling locally grown dairy and meat products, and other barriers to producers processing and distributing their products locally.
34. Create legislation requiring municipal councils to provide at least 15 allotments for every 1,000 households and no more than six people waiting for a plot at any one time (as in Britain).

For Others

35. Garden Centres – support the “Grow Closer to Home” food movement by making feature displays of food bedding plants and sponsoring Community Gardens,
36. Supermarkets – increase the availability of local organic produce, and allow local farmers to deliver their produce directly to the store.
37. Regional Health Organizations and other Agencies – prioritize the use of local organic food in all hospitals, care institutions, prisons, etc. (as in Amsterdam).
38. School Boards – require all schools to develop working food gardens, include kitchens, replace junk food with healthy food, and reincorporate agriculture into the curriculum, including food prep, composting, preserving, animal husbandry, and ethnic cooking. (e.g. Agriculture in the Classroom).
39. Restaurants – cooperate to increase the use of local organic food. (e.g. Islands Chefs’ Collaborative).
40. Colleges – offer “How to Grow Food” and Organic Market Gardening entrepreneurship courses.

* These ideas have been drawn from a variety of sources, including Seattle’s P-Patch Community Gardens (60 gardens, 2000 lots); Amsterdam’s City Food Strategy; and local experience (including the BC Sustainable Energy Association members).

Algoma Local Food Story on CTV News tonight at 6pm!

Last Thursday I was out at Edwards’ Century Farm with Fran and Grover Edwards (some of our CSA growers for the last 4 years) and CTV NEWS, doing a story on local food, Community Supported Agriculture and the Algoma Food Network.  The story was supposed to air that night, but they had some technical difficulties. 

It should air tonight at 6pm (on CTV NEWS). If you have a chance, please tune in! Also, please spread the word…it is great exposure for our cause!

 

Penokean Hills Farms Official Launch

Penokean Hills Farms invites you to join them for their Official Launch on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Algoma Co-op AG Centre in Echo Bay from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with speeches and ribbon cutting at noon. 

There will be Penokean Hills’ beef on a bun available, and coupons for 10% off of a 25 lb Variety or Standard box of beef (only one box per coupon, valid only from May 3 to May 10, 2008, and valid only on at pick-up locations – no delivery). The event is in conjunction with a community event called “Echo Bay is 4 Sale,” – where the community holds numerous yards sales on that day. 

Please come out and support your local farmers.

For more information please contact:

Alicia Mills, Research Assistant

Local Beef Marketing Project

Community Economic and Social Development, Algoma University

1520 Queen Street East

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Tel: 705.949.2301 ext. 4349

alicia.mills@algomau.ca