I go to St. Lawrence Market all the time, so I didn't want to just write this blog about the market itself. As well, I had a chance to visit the Farmer's Market at Evergreen Brickworks just 2 weeks ago, so I decided to get to know a farmer instead.
On Saturday mornings in the North Market at St. Lawrence Market, the usual vendors sell their produce and goods. Just to the left of the main entrance is a booth that sells honey and beeswax products, so I decided to head over there last Saturday to chat with the honey maker and beekeeper. Everyone was delightful to chat with and I learned a lot about beekeeping in Ontario.
Here's what I discovered about Meadowview Honey:
Get to know your farmer or sustainable food producer. Provide a brief biography and background information on them and their "story"
Meadowview Honey has been in existence for over 35 years and they are now a 3rd generation honey producer. It was started by Henry Nauta and the honey is produced in Stoufville, ON. Henry immigrated to Canada from Holland and he started the farm back then with just a few bee hives that he had purchased. The only place where the honey products are sold is at the North Market on Saturdays at St. Lawrence Market. They produce various beeswax products in addition to interesting honeys such as dandelion, borage and blueberry.
Explain their philosophy for choosing to farm, or not to farm organically. Are there any politcal or environmental initiatives or stances that they support or oppose? What have they chosen instead? Why?
Meadowview Honey has made the decision to only produce pesticide free products. What has happened for the last while now is that farmers are subsidized to produce cash crops and pesticides are freely being used, which in turn affects the quality and outcome of honey products. Pesticide usage is killing the bees so they are struggling to find live bees to keep up with pesticide-free production throughout the year. This is a time consuming and tedious process as they need to start a few process in April / May of this year. Beekeeping used to be renewable but now there are no other sustainable options. As such, Meadowview has chosen to use pesticide crops to produce their honey. Rather, they are partnering with pesticide-free farms to make their honeys. They feel that this is a more responsible choice for the end consumer.
Upload a photo of you with the farmer or food producer and any other relevant content from a market, farm or sustainable producer's site.
This is a picture of me with Cameron, one of the beekeepers / honeymakers at Meadowview Honey. The stall is located in the North Market at St. Lawrence Market. Meadowview does not have a website, but there is a small writeup on some of the regular vendors at St. Lawrence Market - http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2012/08/the_farmers_market_at_st_lawrence_market_north/
Discuss what you learned from this experience?
I didn't realize the politics that exist in the industry. We see the impact when farmers are motivated by financial gain, such as the example of farmers being subsidized for cash crops. This decision impacts other farmers to do business differently and to be more innovative. I have now gain a different level of appreciation for beekeepers and honeymakers. Previously, I used to think that all honey was created equal. I now realize that quality honey that is pesticide-free and truly organic is the result of honey producers who hold high standards in order for the end consumer to enjoy a quality product.
I didn't realize the politics that exist in the industry. We see the impact when farmers are motivated by financial gain, such as the example of farmers being subsidized for cash crops. This decision impacts other farmers to do business differently and to be more innovative. I have now gain a different level of appreciation for beekeepers and honeymakers. Previously, I used to think that all honey was created equal. I now realize that quality honey that is pesticide-free and truly organic is the result of honey producers who hold high standards in order for the end consumer to enjoy a quality product.