Agriculture boxes to deliver greens
Consumers can sign up to purchase Inuvik-produced vegetables
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Thursday, March 31, 2016
INUVIK
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is sprouting new initiatives this summer, including first and foremost a new plan for community supported agriculture boxes (CSA).
Ray Solotki, left, and greenhouse co-ordinator Rosalind Crump are ready to tackle the next project that will see more locally-grown vegetables in Inuvik homes this summer. - NNSL file photo
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"It's a way for people in a community to buy direct from the farmers in their community," said greenhouse executive director Ray Solotki.
"Members who sign up are kind of buying a stake in the farm, because they are pledging weekly support of, in our case, the greenhouse."
Those who sign up will pay a set amount each week for a box of produce. The produce itself will depend on what is available and being harvested at different points in the season. The agriculture boxes project is part of a wider push by the GNWT as well as local organizations to support local food. Solotki said that the Aurora Research Institute (ARI) is conducting a feasibility study regarding commercial greenhouses, and that she sees interest in the community.
"We think that we have the interest here in Inuvik to just get started on increasing our commercial output now, not waiting for more studies," she said.
"We are hoping to work with other growers in the area. For example, we are talking with Les Kutny to perhaps incorporate his eggs or berries into the boxes, and really make this a community supported agriculture.
"So if people are growing an abundance of something and want to sell it to us to put in the boxes, we are happy to talk to them about it."
This year, Solotki said she aims to fill between 15 and 20 boxes per week, with each one costing $35. Each box will include leafy greens, herbs, cut sprouts and stir-fry greens in the early season, but she also hopes to have carrots, radishes, potatoes, beets, squash, broccoli and cauliflower as they become ready to harvest.
In the past, the greenhouse has sold produce at the Arctic Market, but Solotki said it's not the most reliable way of doing business. She said volunteers will still run a table there for those looking to browse, but that the agriculture boxes project will be a good fit for people looking to buy local produce regularly as a staple.
People who sign up for the agriculture boxes project don't have to be members of the greenhouse, but Solotki said part of the goal is to get more people involved with the facility, even if it's just coming to pick up veggies once a week.
There will be two pick-up times per week, with a secondary list of people in case those who had reserved baskets don't show up to claim them. Otherwise, the baskets will be sold at the market or on Facebook.
"We hope to generate enough excitement that we have regulars picking up, and are aware of who is next in line," Solotki said, adding that the agriculture boxes project isn't recommended for those who already have plots at the greenhouse.
"We pack the boxes with what is available at that time, and they will just be doubling up on what they have. Instead, we are hoping to capture those that don't have time to garden, but still want to support local food networks."
