More Thoughts on the Current Crisis

I know I alluded to this in my last post on the state of the world, but with nothing to do but sit home and read the internet and think, I've been reading the internet and thinking.

Guys, vegetables are going to be 1) in short supply this summer and 2) bloody expensive when you can get them, as an inevitable consequence of 1). This is going to apply to vegetables both domestic and imported. I think Canada's production of grains, legumes, and meat is both large enough and mechanized enough that while, like just about every industry they will take a hit, they should continue to function reasonably well.

Our local vegetable and fruit farms rely heavily - heavily - on foreign seasonal agricultural workers. Right now, they are not coming in. This is the time of year they arrive, with the blackbirds and the vultures. (Spring! I love it!) I think the government will find some way to get them in, but maybe they won't. They are going to have to assess and balance risks. We're off to a rocky start already; the best-case scenario is that they arrive somewhat late. Obviously, some crops will handle this better than others. The local apple industry, for instance, has a lot of work to be done right about, oh, now.

Imported produce is unlikely to replace local produce. Covid-19 is going to hit poor people particularly hard, and agricultural workers in the US and Mexico, where most of our imported produce comes from, are going to take it in the neck. I don't see how they won't: next to no healthcare access, living and working in crowded conditions, notoriously exposed to unsafe working conditions including pesticide and herbicide exposure which are bad for the lungs in particular along with the rest of the body in general.

Moreover, even if we are getting produce from other countries, the ethical concerns about them are going to be more severe than ever. Countries are going to decide to export produce for vitally-needed cash and leave their own populations short of food. Many do that already; it will only get much, much worse.

I honestly believe that just about everyone should consider growing a few things this year. Even if you live in an apartment and have only a balcony or windowsills. A supply of sprouts and micro-greens, while not supplying much in the way of calories, will really help to fill some gaps and keep meals interesting. Very perishable leafy things are probably going to be the worst hit, so there's that too. NOW is the time to be ordering seeds, pots, soil, etc, and getting set up. Fortunately, much of it can be ordered on-line for shipping. (Well not the pots and soil.)

There is, of course, a learning curve involved in doing anything new, and growing things is no exception. Don't invest large amounts of time and money into this until you both know what you are doing and want to do it. 

I also believe this is going to drag on, and on, and on. This is probably a good year to buy produce when it is a available in season, and can, dry, or freeze it. Again, though, be realistic about your situation.

I've given Covid-19 its own label, as I suspect this is going to be a preoccupation of life for the next several years. I'd also really like to hear other people's thoughts and suggestions.

Posted in: Ontario Food