Locavore box connecting local farmers and consumers

News — 26 April 2011

A program to offer local consumers the very best of what area farmers have to offer is expanding in its second year of operation.

Every two weeks during the growing season participants in Dryden’s Locavore Box program will receive a box of seve to eight locally produced food items — mainly vegetables with the addition of local meats, bread and whatever is in season.

A pilot project in 2010, this joint endeavour between the Cloverbelt Country Farmers’ Market, The Northwestern Health Unit, the Dryden Development Corporation and the City of Dryden is doubling in size this year, offering 60 Locavore Boxes. This year the program has hired coordinator Lisa Haessler to organize.

The Northwestern Health Unit’s Stephanie Cran says the response has been very positive to this effort in community-supported agriculture.

“The idea is to support the local farmer in the Spring when they have their start-up costs,” said Cran. “It’s sort-of like buying a share in a farm — you get the fresh food from the farm after you’ve paid for the whole season.”

For $150 due at signup, participants will receive seven boxes, plus a newsletter-picking up the food at the Dryden Memorial Arena lobby.

“It’s always a surprise. It’s whatever’s fresh at the time,” said Cran. “In the spring it’s things like green onions and radishes, lettuce, fresh baked bread, some sort of meat product usually — like ground beef, sausage, or a stew meat.”

Thus far, Cran says there aren’t many options in terms of customizing your Locavore box to food preferences. They hope food items that go unused will be shared with neighbours or friends.

“It could evolve to that,” said Cran. “There was a study done last year about local food that had some ideas about how the Locavore Box could expand to be more custom, especially in regard to the meat. But, for now, in the second year, everyone’s going to get the same box.”

Cran says unusual vegetables will be accompanied by recipes or instructions on how to prepare it.

Part-time farmer and secretary for the Cloverbelt Farmers’ Market Martin Sherwood says the box is a great marketing tool for local farmers who want to boost farm-gate sales, or attract residents to the Farmer’s Market.

“The box kind of advertises to people what is available locally too,” said Sherwood. “”It connects the farmer and consumer.”

To get on the list or to receive more information about the program, e-mail locavorebox@gmail.com, or contact Stephanie Cran at 223-3301 extension 238.

By Chris Marchand

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