Shared Harvest: growing access to local food and agriculture

Shared Harvest

FarmFolkCityFolk has launched a new networking site for local food and agriculture called Shared Harvest. From field to table, farmers, food processors, grocers, restaurants, distributors, warehousers, and consumers can list Wanted and Available ads for food and agricultural products and services. There are 22 categories, including Baked Goods, Dairy, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables, and over 300 individual products and services — with more to be added. A selection of local products listed on the site right now includes: kiwis, blueberries, heirloom tomatoes and basil.

Shared Harvest will help align production with demand, a necessary step in growing BC's food system. In order to facilitate this, FarmFolkCityFolk is working towards a network of Shared Harvest sites to support the trade of food and agricultural products within and between Regional Districts across BC. Shared Harvest Metro Vancouver is the first of such sites. With support and funding we will add 3 more by the end of the year. More will be added in 2011.

Shared Harvest sites can:

- Support the trade of food and agricultural products.

- Rescue viable food from the waste stream and feed those who are food insecure.

- Connect all food industry sectors from field to table.

- Reduce agriculture waste and thus the costs and volumes of organics being landfilled.

- Align food production with demand.

- Strengthen the local economy.

- Identify new business opportunities for the agriculture and food sectors in BC.

In addition, Shared Harvest supports food rescue efforts. Grocers, hotels, restaurants and even backyard gardeners with "too much of a good thing" can post food donations. Registered charities and societies can post want ads. An online calendar also keeps you informed of local food events.

Membership is free. Posting classified ads is free. Our goal is 500 members by the end of October.

If you are from outside of the Metro Vancouver it is still possible to use Shared Harvest Metro Vancouver website. You can be added manually by emailing a letter to the site Manager, Erin Nichols, at erin@FarmFolkCityFolk.ca explaining why a Shared Harvest site would benefit your area. Include in the letter your regional district, your name, business name, address and postal code. This will be used to gain support for a Shared Harvest site that serve your Regional District.

How you can help support the development of this exciting project?

- Tell your friends, family and colleagues about www.SharedHarvest.ca/MetroVancouver.

- Become a member.

- Post an ad, or two!

Thanks. We hope to see you on Shared Harvest. If you have any questions, please email Erin Nichols at erin@FarmFolkCityFolk.ca.