Who are the "RR Valley Food for All" Committee?

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.
The Rainy River Valley Food for All committee is a group of individuals and representatives of organizations associated with agriculture and community health who hope to improve the awareness and economics of locally produced foods in the Rainy River Valley by fostering more effective direct marketing, education and promotion of locally produced foods.
In addition to individual producers, some of the committee representation includes the Northwestern Health Unit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA), the Healthy Communities Coalition, Agriculture in the Classroom and the Clover Valley Farmers' Market. The committee has evolved /developed over the past 5 years.
The purpose of the committee is to advocate, promote and educate to and with local producers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers across the district on issues regarding local food use. Buying locally benefits and strengthens communities by boosting the local economy with food dollars.
With assistance from the Rainy River Future Development Corporation, the committee produced a Buy Local! Buy Fresh Guide to Local Food which allows consumers to directly contact / locate local several food producers across the district. The food products include vegetables, eggs, beef, lamb, pork, elk and baked goods. This is an opportunity for local producers to promote local food and increase economic opportunities.
Buying locally grown food is good for consumers.
· They know where and how food is grown and who grows it
· Locally grown produce is fresh and tasty and does not require long distance transportation.
· Consumers can support local agriculture, protect farm land and contribute to a healthy local economy.
· They become more aware of their relationship to the land and our food that makes our lives possible.
Food guides have been distributed to: Northwestern Health Unit locations in Fort Frances, Emo, Rainy River, Sioux Lookout/Nestor Falls; The Clover Valley Farmers’ Market; Rainy River Meats; the Best Start Hub; the Healthy Communities Coalition, and; numerous municipal offices in the Rainy River District. They are also available at the OMAF and MRA office in Emo.