Ganges – Four months in and results have been substantial. Since March, an Emergency Agriculture Response and Recovery working group with representatives from the agricultural and government organizations on SSI have been addressing risks and challenges posed by COVID-19. An emergency plan aimed to ensure continued access to safe, local food for island residents during the global pandemic. Actions supported farmers and food producers, helped make food available for sale, and assisted the Root in becoming operational as essential food infrastructure for processing, storage, and distribution. Coming to a close now, the Emergency Agriculture Response and Recovery Plan saw significant community benefit thanks to deep collaboration.
Fourteen groups came together to contribute to the plan including the Salt Spring Island Agricultural Alliance, The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, SSI Farmers Institute, The Community Market Society, Tour Salt Spring, Country Grocer, Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce, Transition Salt Spring, Transition Salt Spring Enterprise Cooperative, Community Economic Development Corporation, Island Natural Growers, the Poultry Club, Island Trustees, and Capital Regional District Local Area Representative.
Overcoming the challenges of physical distancing and limits on numbers enabled the Tuesday market to go ahead. Efforts resulted in 6 additional Farmers’ Markets, in the early season, from April to June 2020 as well as an online platform for sale and purchase of local produce. Partnership with Driftwood presented farmer profiles informing the community about access to local produce amidst the global pandemic.
School District 64 has an agreement with the South Island Farm Hub, out of Victoria, to receive $10,000 towards the purchase of local food for Gulf Islands Schools. Vegetable box program subscriptions showed a 157% increase in 2020 over 2019. Based on data collected by Island Natural Growers, 603 households participated in a weekly vegetable box subscription program, or similar, in 2020 compared to 235 households in 2019. Furthermore, a POD neighbourhood developed a community garden which presently sees participation from 17 families.
The SSI Farmland Trust is hard at work completing the construction of The Root on its property on Beddis Road. The Root will provide essential local food and agriculture services that support a more resilient community and increase community capacity to address emergency food needs. The SSI Farmland Trust is a registered charity and grateful for donations to help fund this important work. Donate online https://www.ssifarmlandtrust.org/ or email chair@ssifarmlandtrust.org.
Led by the Salt Spring Island Agricultural Alliance, the Recovery Plan initiative was financially supported by the Salt Spring Foundation, the Capital Regional District, and the Community Evolution Foundation.
While Agricultural Response and Recovery Plan working group work wraps up, it creates a solid foundation for Area Farm Plan Renewal work which will take place over the coming year to further strengthen agriculture and food security on Salt Spring Island.
For more information on the Recovery Plan work & the Area Farm Plan Renewal, visit http://plantofarm.org/.