FARM NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

How important is local food?  Just ask a farmer!

Local food security awareness and support for local farmers is on the rise these days.  More now than ever our farmers need our help as they are disappearing at an alarming rate and, as a result, our local food security is already passed insecure!  

The EAT HERE NOW event scheduled for this Sunday, September 11th from 11am - 4pm at Centennial/Spirit Square aims to put the spotlight on these issues by featuring some of the best farmers, fishers, butchers, bakers, processors, vintners, brewers, coffee roasters and restaurants in the region.  To help promote the event and local food awareness, one Saanich Peninsula farmer is making a statment in true farmer fashion.

Ryan Vantreight, General Manager of Vantreight Farms and fifth generation of his family to take-on farming operations, will be attending and participating in the event.  He will drive his grandfather's restored 1958 Massey Ferguson tractor to the event from his Central Saanich farm, a journey that he hopes will put a spotlight on the need for public support.  

"I'm doing this to show how close farmers are to the city and how accessible our produce is compared to the shocking amount that is imported every day."  Vantreight said. "I chose my grandfather's tractor to take the trip because back in 1958, in his day, Vancouver Island Agriculture and local food security was in much better shape than it is today.  Today, we are almost totally dependant on food that is imported from other countries and the mainland by sea and air.  This has got to change if local farmers and farms are going to survive."

The Eat Here Now 2011 Local Food Harvest Festival is an event organized by the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society in support of the re-establishment of a year-round, indoor local food-centered public market for downtown Victoria. They believe that the return of a permanent public market downtown is vital for a healthy local food system and community. More information can be found on their website, www.victoriapublicmarket.com

For more information about Vantreight Farms and their programs, please visit www.yourlocalfood.ca