Federated Co-op committed to local food producers
Unfortunately, due to the spring weather this year, I have had plenty of time to go through the May issues of The Western Producer in detail. On page 18 of the May 19 issue, Betty Ann Deobald talked about unlocking the power of the home economy. I agree with everything that she talked about in the article, until she went after Federated Co-operatives Ltd. for having one product, its pasta brand, made in Italy.
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She grows durum wheat, so she is sensitive to this. The flour, beef, chicken, pork, pickles, jams and jellies are all local, though.
Pickles, jams and jellies? Yes, the Co-op Gold label is grown on the Prairies, much of the product in Saskatchewan, by local producers, and then it is processed in Saskatoon at the Saskatchewan Industry Food Development Centre Inc.
Many of these same producers are growing fruits and vegetables that are going into direct sales, farmers markets and restaurants, as well selling into the FCL system. These include strawberries, saskatoons, cherries, raspberries, corn, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins. This is not an exhaustive list but a sampling of what one can find on the shelves of our local co-ops. To my knowledge, it is only FCL that is buying from the local prairie producers as well.
The Saskatchewan fruit and vegetable sector is growing exponentially every year, but as we are so focused on the large agricultural scene in Saskatchewan, we don’t notice 10 acres here or there disappearing under a vegetable crop or going into fruit production. Because of our winter weather, we will never be completely self-sufficient, especially in the fruit market, but we are getting closer each year when it comes to the vegetable sector.
When out shopping, do yourself and our economy a big favour and ask for locally produced food.
Norm Hall
Wynyard, Sask.
