Local FOOD PROGRAM Launches Vegetarian Option
Many moons ago now, Small Scale Farms launched the first of it’s kind, LOCAL FOOD PROGRAM.
Over the course of the winter, the program trialed what would be the hardest of accomplishments: keeping the cost of healthy food down, when you have no access to locally grown vegetables.
Incredibly, the “crew” not only pulled it off, the program managed to profit within the first few months of launching. This profit enabled them then to purchase everything they needed to upgrade their kitchen at Allanburg Community Centre in Thorold South. They even managed to run with a waiting list, because until now, they could only expand as fast as they could create the program.
Now however, the program has been created. Now, they are set with everything they need, and spring is here.
Looking forward, founder Renee Delaney says she’s hopeful to take the next step towards sustainability. “Community partnerships are now key but the recipes have been tested, and vegetables are growing in our now 5 locations”. Small Scale Farms are well on their way. According to Delaney, “Multiple other gardeners are also now growing for the program, supporting what Small Scale Farms has created for the purpose of “local food distribution”. All these farms ensure everyone has access to healthy food. It doesn’t get any more sustainable than that. Our crew will make sure you eat. Healthy food”.
“It’s an incredibly basic system”, continues Delaney. “Local food needs a distribution channel, it’s not welcome through your average grocery store chain. As a small scale farmer, you can’t compete and unless you’re really good at marketing, you’ll struggle to find your buyers. Ironically, your buyers, are also struggling to find you. We hope to change that. We have food for sale, for those who can afford it, but we’re also changing it up a bit. We’re offering you food even if you can’t pay. If you have time instead of money, come help us and we’ll figure it out together”.
Delaney continues, “People are busy. They go to the grocery store because it’s convenient. Small Scale Farms has to position themselves to be as convenient, so we’ve decided to prepare your food for you. We’ll feed you 7 healthy meals, at a price you can afford. We know that we need to be cheaper, to really affect change, which we’ve now proven we can do. It’s not true that local, healthy food has to be more expensive. Our food program increases local food distribution, which inevitably creates purchasing power, and in turn, drops the price. That makes local food available to everyone, and everyone wins, including the small scale farmers. That’s local economy the way it should be done”.
With new found confidence, Small Scale Farms starts their fourth season with the launch of a brand new Vegetarian Program. As of May 28th, 2018, available for purchase are prepared vegetarian meals, as well as their regular Food Program, which offers both vegetarian meals, as well as local, sustainably raised meat included. 2 programs running alongside each other one the same day. You now have the option of which one you’d like.
Both the Vegetarian, and Local Meat Food Program are just $70 per week, for a 4 week segment, ($280).
Starting on May 28th, 20 spots for each program have been opened up for the 4 week segment. 7 healthy prepared meals, plus “extras” will be waiting for you, between 6–730pm at Allanburg Community Centre every Monday for 4 weeks. New participants pay an initial, one time $75 dollar fee, to help cover the costs of the program’s compostable containers.
For more information on this program as well as multiple others please visit Small Scale Farms Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/smallscalefarming/
To sign up for the Food Program please see more information here.
To sign up for the Vegetarian Food Program, please see more information here.
Small Scale Farms
5621 Elcho Road
West Lincoln
1–844–SOW-SEED
