Summer brings with it the seasons for many wonderful foods. Our local food box program and several community supported agriculture programs provide local households with all sorts of fresh produce. The Farmers' market has expanded to a summer season size. Several markets around the province provide local food products. It is an exciting time of year. Buying food directly from the grower can bridge the gap between food production and consumption. Many people have never visited a farm, not do they understand the business of farming. Food comes from the grocery stores that get the food from trucks. Tracing foods back to their origins is a challenge for many people faced with the abundance in our local large chain supermarkets. Stepping back a bit and getting to know your local growers as people working to produce the food while hoping to make a living, may lead to better understanding of global and local food systems. If you want raspberries today, and they are in season but not at the market, the farmer can explain that they can't be picked in the rain but will be available in a couple more days. Food production isn't a given or an instant supply for the consumer demand. It is a complex process involving physical and psychological tolls.
The song that my mind settled on today is another folk song. The video is part of a larger music and labour history production. The singer/songwriter is a classic. The song was written several decades ago, so please ignore the title that some may see as sexist today. That aside, the song clearly shows that it is a difficult career choice. Enjoy!
The Farmer is the Man -- Pete Seeger
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