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NFU COMMENTARY: Making sure farmers' markets have farmers
The NFU has been active and stood up to be counted in trying to ensure farmers get a share of the wealth they create for others in the food system. On issues as diverse as the failures of the CAIS program and other risk management programming or the ability to raise and market small flocks of chickens the NFU has been out front leading. That some cheerleading farm organizations questioned our wisdom- like we were on CAIS, despite the obvious problems we could see, only strengthens are resolve to fight harder for farm families even if we are doing it alone. The NFU was often a lone voice on the direction our food system was taking. On an organizational level the NFU has strongly supported the ability for farmers to market their own produce, processed livestock and other on farm value adding- income generating ideas and the requirements they need to do this like supporting local, small abattoirs and processors. For a long time the NFU was a lone voice in the wilderness talking about the way our global food system worked and how it negatively impacted on the lives of farmers here at home and around the world. While we are not totally there yet, it is nice to see leaders in some quarters begin to finally understand what NFU leaders and grassroots members have been pointing out were problems all along. Many grassroots NFU members ignored the bad advice from some of the other farm groups, government, academics and agri-business and instead innovated in ways that allowed them to generate income for themselves instead of others in the system. They worked hard to cultivate their farm businesses and relationships with their neighbours and others in their community and surrounding area so that they could respond to consumer desires. Many NFU members were instrumental in establishing, or saving, Farmers Markets in their own communities. Some of those members have gone on to work with other groups to help other communities begin a relationship between food producers and food eaters by establishing markets of their own. The NFU as an organization has been instrumental in providing support for communities right across the country that wanted to be able to enjoy the high quality, well priced, lower environmental impact food created by their neighbours. If there is a farmers' market in your community chances are an NFU member is involved in some way. And herein lays the concern- the term "farmers market". The NFU has invested a lot of time, energy and resources, both personally and as an organization, as we have in working for other farmers whose sectors are not well suited for local food initiatives. So the NFU is starting to become alarmed by the misleading use of the term "farmers' market" by some. As the Ontario Coordinator of the NFU, I have fielded a number of calls, emails and community event discussions with consumers who feel ripped off. They attend some of these markets because they want to buy directly from farmers so they know their food purchases are directed to the people who grew or raised their food, not to others in the food system who have doubled and tripled and then doubled again their retail price over the last number of years while still paying farmers 1970 prices. When these consumers find out many, some, most (it depends on the location) of the supposed farmers' market vendors at a few of these markets are not producers at all they feel cheated and sceptical of all vendors in all markets. Truth is, the closest some of these re-sellers get to a farm is passing farm laneways on their drive to the food terminal. It is time for government to step in and act in the best interests of farmers and consumers so that if a person thinks they are buying from a farmer they can know with confidence that they are. It is sad we live in this kind of world, but we do. It seems it is now time to enshrine in law the term 'farmers' market'. If you want to use that term you should have to have the overwhelming majority of your vendors be primary food producers – farmers. Re-selling someone else's farm products from heavens knows where could have a negative impact on all farmers everywhere if something goes horribly wrong. The NFU is speaking up to be counted. It is time for government to do the same. It is time for all three major political parties to confirm that if they form the next government this small step will be part of their plan. -- -- -- -- Grant Robertson is a senior official with the National Farmers Union-Ontario and a National Board Member of the NFU. Opinions are those of the author. Robertson can be contacted by e-mail (see link) E-MAIL: Grant Robertson |
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