The CVRD Area Agriculture Plan has set an ambitious goal for local vegetable production: it aims for local growers to supply 60% of the vegetables eaten in the Cowichan Valley. Local farmers currently supply 7%.
One of the ways our farm tries to help reach this goal is by offering a subscription vegetable program (also known as “Community Supported Agriculture” or a CSA), in which customers sign up in advance to receive a weekly share of vegetables throughout the growing season. This arrangement helps us match our production to demand, finance our pre-season expenses, and diversify the risk of weather-related crop failures, etc. Customers get convenient access to a diversity of fresh local, organic produce and can support the Valley’s goals for food security by committing to eating locally in-season. Our CSA can provide for up to 100% of a family’s vegetable consumption during the growing season.
Preserve cabbage and beets by making sauerkraut.
In the winter, however, it is difficult for a family to source local, organic produce that would provide anywhere near 100% of their vegetable needs, let alone 60%. Our farm’s solution: the Food Security Club – a CSA-like program for vegetables that can be stored or preserved for year-round consumption, including garlic, squash, carrots and more. When you join our Food Security Club, it helps us plan our production and allows us to offer wholesale prices for these bulk purchases.
As a complement to our Vegetable Share Program, or as a stand-alone product, the Food Security Club provides another way for our farm and Cowichan foodies to work together towards food security. 60% here we come!
(For more information on Makaria Farm’s Food Security Club, or to register, please click here.)