It’s the time of year when farmers everywhere get together and exchange notes. Many of my farmer friends attended the MN SFA conference on Saturday , and many are heading to the MOSES conference this coming weekend. I’m holding out for the Lake Superior SFA’s conference in Superior on March 5-6 (you’re invited, too!).
It sounds like Vermont farmers had an interesting discussion with community organizer LaDonna Redmond from Chicago at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of Vermont’s annual winter conference. She raised a question that has been on my mind quite a bit these past few weeks while marketing Stone’s Throw Farm’s summer shares — Who has access to local, organic food?
Most of us in the Twin Ports are lucky enough to be able to develop a connection to the land and our food if we want — there are quite a few small farms located just outside of town. I’m very aware that there are plenty of people in the Twin Ports who don’t have a car and therefore can’t visit Stone’s Throw Farm on their own, however. There are plenty of people here who can’t afford to buy a summer share, either. That’s one reason why I love that the Duluth Farmer’s Market and the Whole Foods Co-op are located in the Hillside, where not everyone has a car.
Other CSA farms have invited their members to contribute more than the standard price of a share if they are able, to help pay for a share for someone who couldn’t otherwise afford to buy one. I really like that idea — how about you? Any other ideas about how to make sure everyone in our community has access to healthy, whole foods?
Stone's Throw Farm 
Leave a Reply