Farming is Booming in BC - How so?

1) Many conventional farmers are transitioning to organic farming (BC is in the lead)

PEI: 4.7%

Nova Scotia: 9.5%

New Brunswick: 8.6%

Quebec: 7.6%

Ontario: 6.3%

Manitoba: 4.2%

Saskatchewan: 5.0%

Alberta: 5.3%

B.C.: 16.3%

CANADA: 6.8%

2) Increase in female farmers

BC's Women Farming population relative to other Canadian provinces:

Newfoundland: 23.1%

PEI: 17.1%

Nova Scotia: 24.7%

New Brunswick: 20.8%

Quebec: 26.0%

Ontario: 28.6%

Manitoba: 24.1%

Saskatchewan: 23.8%

Alberta: 30.0%

B.C.: 36.5%

Read the full details here: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=85a783a5-9ebb-4665-ad4d-1fd3ce0ca289&k=37049&p=3

Why the big buzz around buying local?

Local farmers often struggle to survive because we are importing or buying from large corporations.

Sure large corporations and importing provide us with new products, but the big reason for it is to make more profit. The next time you head into a grocery store, make sure you purchase things that are produced close to home so you can help reduce transportation pollution and keep farmers in existence.

Although there isn't much local fruits and vegetable during the cold months, you can still support this community by purchasing local jams, meats, sauce etc..

I'm not asking you to ban import products, instead I'm asking you to eat locally more often.

Buy Only Certified Organic

Can you believe it? The term 'Organic' can be used freely in marketing products and services. The only thing governing the term organic around products that are not certified is the federal ingredients labels.

Only when you buy items that have the certified organic stamp on them are the products and services following strict guidelines for growing, handling and processing the food.

Be on the lookout the next time you are at the supermarket :)

Stock up on Fruits and Vegetables for Fall/Winter and Save Money On Organics

Fall/Winter is coming near and of course fruit and vegetable prices are either going to hike up or the variety will become limited. You may want to consider storing, canning or freezing some of your fruits and vegetables for the fall/winter season. A great way to eat organic year round!

Ask your food delivery service or local grocery store if you can order case lots of different vegetables and fruits to store. End of summer is a great time to buy fruits and vegetables as farmers are trying to rid their stock and so are stores. Fruit and vegetable seconds can be used for jams, sauces and more. Make sure you ask your local grocer and food delivery service which fruits and vegetables store well. Fruits and vegetables should be stored in dry boxes in cool places for storage.

Happy Eating!

Tips to Making Organic Buying Affordable

1) Buy Locally

2) Buy Seasonally

3) Buy foods in unprocessed form

4) Avoid buying packaged and processed foods

5) Avoid buying imported food

6) Avoid buying out of season foods

Organic Food Prices are High - Myth or not?

Okay, there is plenty of debate out there as to whether or not organic food prices are high. Personally I believe it is not based on the following reasoning

As a consumer, we of course compare the sticker price of a conventional tomato to an organic tomato and find that the price is high. However, we do not analyze deeper as to why the price is higher. We accept the fact that a Lexus is more expensive than a Toyota because it is a better built car, but the same goes for the tomato. The organic tomato is better than the conventional tomato because it has been grown under better conditions.

Anyone want to challenge me on that?