A new group in Yorkton is focusing its efforts on helping people be secure in their food supply, and that means combating hunger, and ensuring people know how to access safe food.
Warren Crossman, is among the founders of Assiniboine Food Security Alliance. He said the organization is in the process of applying for non-profit status, but is also moving forward with three projects as the process takes place.
"I think this is the start of something really, really good," he said.
Crossman said the first initiative for the group is to create a listing of local producers selling food direct to consumers.
The listing is focusing on produce within 160 kilometres of the city, said Crossman.
"It sort of corresponds with the Sunrise Health Region boundaries," he said, adding "it's focused on producers having food for sale direct to the public." Examples of the types of producers who will be on the list include market gardens and u-pick operations.
Crossman said the list is designed as a tool to help consumers find direct food sources.
"We want to get this into the hands of consumers with a listing of farmers in the area, so they can make connections," he said. "We want to build on the consumer and producer and the community that builds as a result of that."
The second initiative of the group will be one targeting gardeners. Crossman said many
communities have what they term 'Seed Saturdays', and opportunity for home gardeners to gather and exchange seeds.
"Seed Saturdays are fairly well-known across Canada," he said.
In Yorkton they are picking up the idea with what they are terming the 'Prairie Sun Seed Festival'. "We're not using somebody else's guidelines. We're making it an East Central Saskatchewan sort of Festival."
Heather Torrie is organizing the festival.
Torrie said the Festival will be a place to buy, sell and trade seeds. It will take place Saturday, Feb. 26, at Dr. Brass School from 1 to 4 p.m. She said a number of invitations have been sent out to people who have taken part on similar events in Saskatoon, and tables are available for local sellers too by calling Torrie at 786-0604.
In addition to the actual trading, selling aspect of seeds Torrie said the day will also include speakers on a number of gardening-related topics.
They will include Jim Ternier, from Humboldt, who Crossman said "is the guru of this stuff." He will talk about seeds.
Torrie said the other speakers include Ed Sek talking about gardening basics.
"It's for people wanting to garden but not sure what to do," she said.
Glen Tymiak will focus on growing tomatoes, and Bilkies McKen will discuss how to preserve garden produce in the fall.
Torrie said the idea is to discuss the circle of gardening, seed saving, growing the plants, and having McKen conclude with information on "what you do with the food when you get it off (the garden)."
For those with children the Parkland Regional Library will be doing readings so parents can take in the half-hour speaker presentations, said Torrie.
Admission for the local seed festival will be a non-perishable food item which will be donated locally.
The third focus for Assiniboine Food Security Alliance will be to start a community garden in the spring.
Crossman said the idea for the garden is still in the planning stages. He said it will be different from the allotment gardens which the City of Yorkton, adding they are likely to focus on a community approach to the work and a sharing of the produce in the fall.
