Buy Local?

[jd1]

Taking a bite out of local food

According to a just released report by The Ecology Action Centre and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Nova Scotians are eating less local food than a decade ago. Only 13% of our food dollars goes towards local produce.

The report states Nova Scotia farmers cannot produce at low enough cost to compete with imports. Unless a brand is created such as Northumberland Lamb or Digby Scallops produce is a commodity. As the report points out 'The only way to be viable in the food industry is to be centralized with a huge market and all the raw materials at the most economical advantage. You have to have the cheapest inputs. Our inputs aren’t the cheapest (in Nova Scotia)'.

Most of the report's recommendations are fine; encourage 4H clubs, eat healthier, and a solid focus on Buy Local (although the mention of political pressure and 'real' pricing is worrisome). Buy Local is in effect a voluntary subsidy program which appeals to more affluent consumers would consider paying, for example, an additional $2 a pound to support local lamb. But these baby steps do nothing to overcome the root of the problem; the lack of low cost production.

Nova Scotians want a vibrate farm industry and sustainable farming communities. The report alludes to the solution but does not recommend it; the creation of a large regional market. Government must create a low cost environment for all business and make Atlantic Canada a large regional market in which all producers can compete. Those producers who produce the best produce at the lowest price will grow and be able to compete with imports and in other markets. There is tremendous upside for our farming industry, Nova Scotia blueberries could be exported to Chile rather than visa-versa. To not do this is to betray our farming communities.

Here is the original report
http://www.nsfa-fane.ca/files/images/fi ... 202010.pdf