NWT, Canada: Not allowed to sell food from farm to public

LaurieLovesLearning

This is very disturbing & concerning. If this bullying spreads, it would be very bad for all. Apparently now, the power hungry are going after farms & farmers in more ways than one and adding to food supply shortages. This is organic eggs, veggies & bread. It doesn't sound like meat & milk were factors (which they heavily regulate already). Those weren't mentioned.

...And I've heard touted by many municipal govts & organizations that this year is "the year of the garden" & to grow food. What confusing messaging.

Please click to see the story. @torey Be watching for any further developments. I hope it goes no further.

https://rumble.com/v1e5lo1-farmers-not-allowed-to-sell-food-directly-to-public-.html?mref=6zof&mc=dgip3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CanadianGirlRumble&ep=2

Torey

@LaurieLovesLearning I'm really hoping that this was a case of an overzealous, new-to-the-job government official and that it will resolve itself as soon as the higher-ups hear about it. It makes absolutely no sense at all, particularly in an area where food costs are sooooo high.

I went to the FaceBook page for the Northern Farm Training Institute. Amazing produce! They need to be supported and encouraged; not harassed and shut down.

The city of Yellowknife has a new program called GROW Yellowknife to encourage more food production within the city. They are changing bylaws to allow livestock and bees within city limits and integrating "Neighbourhood Food and Agriculture Design" regulations into new development projects, even encouraging community gardening in park spaces and edible landscaping. That is very encouraging to hear. And yet these wonderful people at NFTI are being picked on in Hay River.

I did a bit of digging and the Northwest Territories are actually going to allow farm gate sales on meat. They have no abattoir up there so that has been a challenge to have livestock producers. There is a new permitting system for it. You have to submit food safety plans along with a few other regulations and then you can apply for a permit for farmgate meat sales. Its around $100 per year. I wonder if eggs are included as part of the "livestock" sales, and that's what got them in trouble? We can sell eggs at farmer's markets here in BC as long as they are being kept in a cooler at the market. Farmgate sales are allowed as well. They are also selling bread. I couldn't find out if that is allowed or not. We are allowed baked goods at farmers' markets but there are limitations on some items (no custard or cream fillings, no meat fillings, etc.).

I certainly hope they get this straightened out so they can get back to what they are obviously doing so well, feeding the people of the north. I will check in on their website regularly to see what is going on.

Megan Venturella

That’s so disturbing.

marjstratton

Oh my!

LaurieLovesLearning

@Megan Venturella @marjstratton I am with @torey, very much hoping it is just a new & overzealous govt official, & not a trend. Those newbies can do so much damage if they have nobody to rein them in. That said, as well, there are always some officials who continue to cause havoc throughout their careers.

annbeck62

That is very disturbing.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

Oh my goodness! That's absolutely terrible. 😲

I hope you're right @torey and someone got a little too excited about their new position.🤞

Leediafastje

@LaurieLovesLearning WOW! I too hope @torey is right. I can only imagine this backward thinking spreading to this country.

I too will keep my eye on this site (wiith my fingers crossed for the people who need to eat fresh food).

Torey

It looks like they are still doing sales "by donation".

LaurieLovesLearning

I hope they keep getting support.

@Leediafastje I've heard similar stories in the past in the US. It depends on what state & area of the state you live, on your current governments and the power hungry people that get into positions that they should not be in. As long as those people exists in those positions, these things will continue somewhere.

vickeym

It is one of my big worries that this could become the normal way of government and not the exception. With the current trends of wanting folks to start eating fake meat and such, I can see controlling the food supply as a big thing in the plans. After all if the control the food, and heat sources as well as the medicines and money. They are pretty much assured people will cooperate or be forced to go along in order to take care of their families and themselves.

Monek Marie

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/917028#Comment_917028

We have similar issues here in the US. It depends where you live and usually if you have new directors who want to make a "name".

Our one farmers market who had been in business for 30 plus years had an a new person (from a city) come in and redo all farmers markets and road side stands. Our market was ruined!~ Now just across the PA/NY border they still had a great market. Five miles away! Guess where I go now.

There are very strict laws in place (sleepers) that can regulate farm produce. They were slid in on bigger bills and once in a while they raise their ugly head. If you complain they say, "Its been law for 15 years. Why didn't you complain before?" The reason, no one knew about it.

We cannot sell eggs, milk or washed produce. If you wash the produce your well has to be tested and a cost of $200 plus and tested each year.

We need to watch what our city boards do and check laws once in a while to protect ourselves and our farmers.

Good luck Canada! Take a stand while you can.

PS. Many states stopped doing the over strict laws because they were losing money because of it

kbmbillups1

Very troubling. When the ants realize there are more of them than the grasshoppers it will all change!

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

Sorry to hear this is still going on. Was hoping it would have fizzled out by now you guys up north.😔