Giving Food as Food Futures – a new way to think about food security in Nova Scotia

Do you have someone on your gift list that is hard to buy for? Someone socially and environmentally conscious? Someone who wants to support the Nova Scotian economy? Someone in tune with the food insecurity situation in Nova Scotia? How about donating $20 to the Barefoot Farmers Association on their behalf? A gift with real impact that creates an investment in our food security.

When we traditionally invest we are preparing for our financial security and retirement.  We are also comfortable investing money in the upkeep of our houses and cars. The Barefoot Farmers Association is offering a different kind of investment, one in local Nova Scotian food.

The Barefoot Farmers are a growing group of independent home-based farms of varying sizes. The majority of us are people who love to grow our own food. When people follow their passion to grow food there can be leftovers. For the past two years, Witch Haven Farms has used these leftovers to create beautiful affordable produce packages, for low income families in rural Nova Scotia. As more people became interested in being a Barefoot Farmer, Witch Haven began to look for ways to connect with more people who lack access to local healthy food.

Enter the Ecology Action Center (EAC).  They brought together a number of community leaders in Nova Scotia working on food security programs. The EAC’s Community Food Leadership Certificate Program connects passionate foodies from all over our province to share our needs, resources, and imaginations to benefit our food work. When we heard what Witch Haven was trying to do, we put our heads together and the Barefoot Farmers Association was born.

It is inspiring to watch so many caring people dream. Our hope is to encourage more people to grow food at home, in community gardens, anywhere they can.  We also want to provide a market to sell their surplus, and be able to provide a fair price for their produce. Finally, for us to share this bounty with community groups who struggle to have access to fresh local food.

It sounds simple.  It is simple.

The funds we raise go to pay  farmers a fair price for the food they grow.

The food we buy is donated to our community partners who distribute it based on their community’s needs.

This gift provides layers of value with each crate purchased:

• Food for local community centres and shelters
• Provides income to local food growers
• Encourages local rural and urban food production
• Creates a more food secure Nova Scotia for everyone

You can invest in Nova Scotian food by:

• Purchasing a food crate to donate to a community center or shelter by:
  • Visiting us at the Halifax Brewery Market Community Table
  • Buying online on our website or Facebook page
• Donating gently used tools
• Donating seeds and transplants
• Becoming a Barefoot Farmer
• Following us on Facebook

For more information:

• Facebook@BarefootFarmersAssociation
• barefootfa@gmail.com
• https://osberghealth.com/barefoot-farmers/

Our Community Partners:

By Guest Blogger: Stephanie Osberg, Community Food Leader