Local farmers got a little extra TLC last week as the sun came out along with shoppers at the Port Coquitlam Farmers Market Thursday as part of a B.C.-wide celebration of Farmers Appreciation Week.
"We're asking people to shake the hand that feeds you," explained market manager Eileen Zwillies, who said it's time people paid attention to the folks who grow the food that ends up in our grocery stores, fridges and eventually lands on the table.
"What we're saying to farmers is expect hugs today," Zwillies added, noting that children were being encouraged to make cards to give to the fruit and vegetable vendors at the market.
According to the BC Association of Farmers Markets, farmers make up only 1.6% of the population but produce 48% of all foods consumed in B.C. But farmers are increasingly under pressure as land values soar, weather becomes increasingly unpredictable and competition from cheaper off-shore producers is fierce.
Zwillies is concerned that farmers will become a dying breed unless something can be done to save the industry. "The old farmer wants to retire and sell his land and the young farmer can't afford it," Zwillies said, adding: "We don't want all our food to come from Peru."
Elke Knechtel, whose family has been farming for the past 20 years in Maple Ridge and Cawston, B.C., appreciates the recognition. It's been a tough year, thanks to a cold spring and delayed summer, and farming is an extremely labour-intensive profession that doesn't pay very well, she said.
"It's nice to get acknowledged. I think most people don't understand how much work it takes to get food on the table and how little payback there is. You're not just planting a seed and sitting on a porch and watching it grow," she admitted. Still, farming's a passion for her family; husband Ken got the bug from an uncle in Saskatchewan and son Erik runs the farm and orchard in Cawston, near Keremeos, despite Elke's attempt to talk him out of it. "You do it because you love it."
Still, there are benefits to running two farms. The Maple Ridge-based Red Barn Plants and Produce has four greenhouses and specializes in nursery plants and salad greens and the Cawston property supports an orchard as well as fields for peppers, heirloom tomatoes and melons, among other things. "We can grow things to perfection based on the climate," Knechtel said.
The Knechtels are one of a growing breed of young farmers who are developing niche markets for themselves and connecting directly with customers. Not only do Ken and Elke make regular appearances at local farmers markets, they offer a Community Sustained Agricultural Program where families can buy shares at the beginning of the season which gets them a box of produce every week from mid-June to the end of October.
Payment is up front and costs $500 ($25 per week; each box provides enough vegetables and fruits for a family of two adults and two children) and ingredients change with the season. Stating in June, for example, a box might contain broccoli, beans and a couple of herb plants but as summer progresses, more fruits and vegetables would be added as the produce ripens and matures. In August, the box might contain tomatoes, onions, garlics, potatoes, bunching onion, salad greens and beans.
The boxes can be picked up at the farm gate in Maple Ridge or at the farmers markets in Haney, PoCo, Coquitlam and New Westminster where Red Barn has a booth. The initial offering this year was better than expected (they're fully-booked at 20 CSAs), Knechtel said. Unfortunately it's been a difficult growing year - "Everything is so late."
Nevertheless, the contribution from the CSAs provides a guaranteed income as well as a direct connection with customers and Knechtel hopes to build on the program in future years.
Several shoppers The News spoke to at the PoCo market agreed its time the growers were recognized for their efforts. But though many agreed they don't pay attention to where their fruit and vegetables are grown when they buy it at the grocery store, all said they frequented farmers markets because the food tastes better. There are other benefits to purchasing locally-grown food, too, said Phil Mazzucco, of Port Coquitlam.
"They work hard to keep money in the province and when you buy produce from overseas you don't know how it's grown and whether it's picked ethically,"
By getting to know the farmers who grow their salad greens and apples, city-dwellers will get a greater understanding and appreciation for the food they eat and, thanks to farmers markets, no one has to go very far to meet these special people.
Port Coquitlam's Farmers Market runs Thursdays to Sept. 15 from 3-7 p.m. at Leigh Square, off Shaughnessy Street beside city hall. Upcoming, event Aug. 18, Doggie Days, bring your dog and join in prizes for most obedient, craziest trick, best smile, waggiest tail and loudest bark. Judging takes place at 4:30 p.m.
Coquitlam Farmers Market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sundays in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot off Poirier Street to Oct. 30. Upcoming event, Aug. 14, 7th Annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast. Enjoy one of B.C.'s tastiest berries,and learn about the mystical world of bees. There will be live entertainment, face painting, kids crafts and games.
A Friday night market also runs at Spirit Square in Coquitlam, from 4-8 p.m. until Sept. 16. For more information and a special events listing, visit http://makebakegrow.com/spirit-square-farmers-market/
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
