Rural Revolution

In 2004, upon trying to buy my eggs at the Perth Farmers' Market, I was informed that this is now illegal. ??? Apparently the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rules that unless the farmer builds and operates a grading station, he/she is NOT allowed to sell me eggs at the Farmers' Market. This totally surprised me since the eggs I got at the market were always far superior quality compared to the eggs I got in the local grocery stores. I took at look at farm-facts-or-fiction only to find out the problem is far more serious than I could have imagined... although after looking at the site... I knew the facts to be true through personal experience.

I encourage you to go to this site and read the message, and if you agree, tell Paul Martin what you think.(Postage is Free). I did. Both Paul Martin and the Minister of Agriculture replied to my mail. I have to say their replies did not quite satisfy me. The Agriculture Minister seems to be concerned about my health and tells me that in order to protect it, produce such as eggs, sold at a retail site, must be inspected by a federal inspection station. However, it seems to me that if my health was at stake, I shouldn't be able to buy these eggs under any circumstances. Non the less, I can jump in my car, drive out to the individual farms and buy those eggs at the farm gate. It would seem an easy (and logical solution) would be to extend the farm gate to the local farmers' market - and save all that gas and people's time. [W. Hugh Chatfield I.S.P. - President, CyberSpace Industries 2000 Inc.]

Show your support - buy produce directly from the farmers this weekend!

Read more: Fighting for our Farmers' Market - The Humm