SMALL ACORNS... BIG OAK TREES
WEXFORD GREEN activist Senan O’Reilly, of Future-Proof Wexford, one of the keenest advocates of the network, said that at this stage we know that we cannot continue with the old ways of doing things.
‘Even leaving global warming aside, there are so many challenges facing us in the future - where we live, how we live, how we work, how we get around, how we grow the food to feed ourselves. Add climate change to the mix and the picture becomes much more complicated.
‘At this stage only the very gullible would be prepared to accept that those we elect to run the country will lead from the front in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.
‘More and more it looks likely that action will be forced on us, possibly too late, by nature - rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, oil and gas depletion, population growth, climate-induced and economic migration, food shortages.’
It was at a public meeting at the town library last year that the concept of Your Local Food Network was explored and since then has been evolving and still is, into a holistic network linking farm to plate.
Mr O’Reilly said the Future-Proof Wexford organisation is concerned with what we, at community level, can do to counter the political inertia and the lack of serious intent by policy-makers to do what must be done.
‘An active community working together can achieve great things. It can influence other communities. It can influence politicians and policy-makers. Small acorns and big oak trees!
‘Your Local Food Network is an example of how a simple initiative at community level can bring huge benefits to an area. The basic idea is to provide direct links between local organic and chemical-free producers and consumers,’ he said.
Look at the benefits: the producer, not the supermarket, gets properly remunerated for his/her efforts; that money stays in the local community; the product can move from field to plate in a matter of hours; traceability and trust - you, the customer, have a direct link with your producer, one that is built on trust and mutual benefit; and you have direct access to a regular supply of fresh, seasonal and locally sourced food. Local markets generate a great sense of community.
‘It is vital that those farmers, growers and other producers choosing to go the organic or chemical-free route earn a fair income for their efforts. Otherwise, why should they bother.
‘On the other hand, it is no less important that this produce is not seen as being prohibitively expensive by the average shopper. We want to see locally produced, organic produce in every shopping bag,’ said Mr O’Reilly.