Jul
11
James Bay Community Market
By Jessica Duncan
The world seems to become increasingly more complicated with each and every day. Concerns about tar sands, carbon footprints and genetically modified food weigh heavily upon us as we try to imagine how the next generations will cope with the mess we've made of their inheritance. The temptation to go off-grid, grow our own food and drop out of the rat race entirely is huge, but the practicalities of such drastic actions prevent most of us from pursuing this guilt-free lifestyle. Fortunately, we have The James Bay Community Market to help us to ease our conscience, protect our health and do our bit for a sustainable planet.
May 25th was the day that hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens around the globe marched against Monsanto, demanding an end to genetically engineered food appearing on their plates. In this age of social media and instant information, we are suddenly discovering that many companies have green-washed their products, fooling the consumer into believing that they are eating something relatively healthy, only to find out they are ingesting suspicious science experiments. Marching is good for the soul and can lead to positive changes, but for folk who want real food, the best place to start is at your local farmers' market. While waiting for people power to overwhelm corporate control of mass food production, every Saturday you can pick up fresh, locally grown, chemical-free food at The James Bay Community Market.
It is so easy to feel defeated by all the bad news, but when you enter the James Bay Community Market, you can feel your spirits lifting, knowing that you are engaged in making the world a better place. The changes may seem imperceptible, but every time you purchase your food directly from the producer, you are taking money and power out of the hands of the huge companies who try to control the market. With the rise in popularity of the farmers' markets, more money is going in the right direction and more people are eating un-processed, healthy food. Even if you attend the James Bay Community Market for the excellent music or to pick up one of the many wonderful crafts, you are making a strong political statement. Shopping at farmers' markets keeps money in the area, reduces oil consumption and builds community.
Spending your Saturdays at the James Bay Community Market is a great way to ward off despair over the state of the world. It is a place that allows you to make healthy choices about the food you want to eat. It is a great way to thumb your nose at the food conglomerates while supporting your local food producer. You don't need to wait for the next demonstration at Legislature to make your voice heard. From May till October, you have the opportunity to change the world, one Saturday at a time at The James Bay Community Market.
Open 9am-3pm every Saturday, rain or shine at the corner of Menzies and Superior.