Gathering local food and other locally made items and the accompanying producers to create a year-round indoor market in Nanaimo B.C
Showing posts with label local. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local. Show all posts
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Island Roots Director: Peggy Burkosky
Peggy's initial reason for accepting the responsibility of director for the Island Roots Market Co-op was a simple one. As a producer of local value-added seafood, she agrees with the Co-op's goals to provide direct access to local food products. It has always been a challenge for local fishermen that work extremely hard to find a way to sell their catch other than to the typical chain of buyers and processors, leaving the fisherman with the least amount of benefits and a spiraling lack of encouragement for the next generation to continue the family business. This situation is identical to family farms across the nation that have not encouraged their children to carry on with their heritage farms. One of the most highlighted areas of need revealed in this month's VIHA hosted symposium "Food Connections Gathering " was that of a local farm/seafood market, followed by creating land trusts for food security on Vancouver Island.
Having been directly involved in working with local youth completing high school, she observes the highly prevalent need for jobs within our Island communities. Job creation has historically been achieved through co-operatives across Canada, and I can't think of a more rewarding effort than to try and serve these needs.
Best regards,
Peggy Burkosky
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Island Roots Market Co-operative
Introducing the Island Roots Market Co-operative's official blog!
The Island Roots Market Co-operative is about using the Co-operative economic model (one member one vote) and International Co-op Principles, to deal with 4 local issues:
1. A lack of good jobs in Nanaimo and the surrounding area.
2. The need for economic justice (a reduction in the income spread between the wealthy and the rest).
3. A demand for a greater say in our economy, the development of our community and the environment in which we live. Real democracy.
4. The demand for locally produced food.
What is the purpose of the Island Roots Market Co-operative?
The Island Roots Market Co-operative provides a means to gather local food and other locally made items and the accompanying farmers/producers to create a year-round farmers' market.
We support producers in getting their products to folks who would not normally access them through farm-gate sales or by attending weekly farmer's markets.
Our organization stimulates demand for local production by making local food more available, particularly in the off season when farmers markets are closed. This acts as a stimulus for farmers, food producers, the local food movement; it increases our communities' sustainability, food sustainability, food security, creates jobs, increases the economic viability of agriculture and adds to the general well being of all citizens involved.
Cost To Join:
Requirements for Consumers:
Purchase of at least one share for $10 is required
Purchase of at least 5 shares for $50 is recommended
Purchase of 100 shares for $1000 - Life Time Membership is optional
Mission:
The Island Roots Market Co-operative is about using the Co-operative economic model (one member one vote) and International Co-op Principles, to deal with 4 local issues:
1. A lack of good jobs in Nanaimo and the surrounding area.
2. The need for economic justice (a reduction in the income spread between the wealthy and the rest).
3. A demand for a greater say in our economy, the development of our community and the environment in which we live. Real democracy.
4. The demand for locally produced food.
What is the purpose of the Island Roots Market Co-operative?
The Island Roots Market Co-operative provides a means to gather local food and other locally made items and the accompanying farmers/producers to create a year-round farmers' market.
We support producers in getting their products to folks who would not normally access them through farm-gate sales or by attending weekly farmer's markets.
Our organization stimulates demand for local production by making local food more available, particularly in the off season when farmers markets are closed. This acts as a stimulus for farmers, food producers, the local food movement; it increases our communities' sustainability, food sustainability, food security, creates jobs, increases the economic viability of agriculture and adds to the general well being of all citizens involved.
Cost To Join:
Requirements for Consumers:
Purchase of at least one share for $10 is required
Purchase of at least 5 shares for $50 is recommended
Purchase of 100 shares for $1000 - Life Time Membership is optional
Requirements for Producers:
Purchase at least one share for $10 is required
Purchase of at least 10 shares for $100 is recommended
Purchase of 200 shares for $2000 - Life Time Membership is optional
Supportive Organization:
Purchase of 50 shares for $500 is recommended
One share ($10) includes full participation in the Co-op's activities, please provide your support by buying the number of shares that your organization would like to contribute.
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