I would really like to start up an informal local food trading and sharing group. I have kicked around the idea for a bit, but have always been unsure of where to start, so I decided finally just to toss it out there and see where it goes.

I have found there are things I like growing, raising, fishing, gathering, etc, and things that do not interest me, but at the same time I like to eat as much local food as I can. I assume there are other folks like me and if I can trade my surplus for someone else's surplus then we both come out ahead. Knowledge transfer and meeting some new folks are always nice extras.

Not sure how it will work yet, I think I will let those interested hash it out and come up with something that works best and go from there.

Please send me a PM if your interested.

Thanks,

Cul

sounds like a great idea, wish i lived in town so i could partisipate...

I don't live in town either

Cul

thats what i get for assuming!! lol, what area are you in? i live up west..

love the idea, wish you had posted it in time for me to actually put a garden in....

Here's something you might look at for ideas Culland. It's a food exchange message board. http://localdifference.org/forum/

Or maybe even a separate group on PEIinfo where people could post what they have and what they want, etc. That would be the quickest and easiest setup maybe, with the advantage that there is already an audience who can participate or tell others about it.

it would be nice to have about 5 drop off areas , when you have something extra drop it in one of the locations and post on here what you have on hand and anyone can come and get it, sort of like farmers market only everything is free to members who participate, each drop off being a certain dollar value that you are credited for some free pickups.

I kind of like the idea of having a thread or area for it here... like, I could post that I have item a, and am looking to trade for b, c or d. People could arrange trades as individuals then, and sort out picking up/delivering things.

I always thought a below the radar line free trade of everything from food, supplies and labor would be a good idea..

example.. someone was a welder and someone was a plumber that could trade equal prices services if they were needed.. helps each other out and saves each other money.

I am a web developer and have web space so could setup something of that nature, or if there was interest by management to have it here we could consider that. Overall though it depends on the size of the group, if only a few people then email might work better to start.

Cul

If members were willing to be a drop off area I think that could work. I live in the St. Ann's area and would be happy to be a drop off location.

The currency and credit system though might be more complicated then its worth to start. If there was enough interest though you can use some of the software used be LET systems for this kind of thing.

To start though I would be happy with 5 people sharing email addresses

Cul

I have been involved in the Calgary Dollars system when I lived there and found it enjoyable to be part of.

Cul

A big problem with this type of thing would be the perishability of most foods. Most meats and vegetables only have a 5 day window of time, at best. Eggs have longer, up to 60 days is what the grocery stores use.

We've been really happy with the Summerside Farmer's Market, but it is only once per week and you don't always know what will be there ahead of time.

I can't participate in an exchange since we don't produce anything, but I'm all for a bartering economy. Will tutor math for food! (Might not sound so appealing now, but wait 'till exams are around the corner...)

The Butcher's Block is great for purchasing meat. All their beef is from the Atlantic Beef Plan, and their pork and poultry come from the nearest processing plants. The prices are great, particularly on the chicken. They are located near Water St. Bakery.

Thanks, craiger. We'll have to check it out for those times when we don't plan well enough on Saturday for the week.

Hey Culland, you might want to get in touch with this guy also. He seems to have given some thought to a similar subject:

Dave's Appeal to Build an online Farmer's Market on PEI

He also mentions a Farm Fresh 2009 Directory This is an interactive directory, looks pretty good.

Thanks for the link, some interesting stuff there. You can also pick up a hard copy of the Farm Fresh Guide at the Best of PEI store if anyone is interested.

I think I was unclear in my original post. I have no issues finding local food to buy, though learning of more options is always nice, I would just rather trade others for it then buy it which is what I was hoping to find, a few folks that would like to trade food when they have surpluses. Getting to know someone that loves growing something I love to eat but do not grow and vice versa so that next season I can say, plant me an extra row and I will plant you an extra row kind of thing. Folks that I can invite over when my choke cherry trees are loaded and I am going to go on a picking/canning blitz to come pick and can with us. Sharing knowledge for dealing with this pest or that, what varieties they are growing and doing well with vs the ones that they have tried and hasn't worked. In many ways its as much about community and knowledge/effort sharing as it is about the food.

Cul

I think this is an awesome idea.

I would suggest you take this on yourself. We have something similiar out west and having an old boys club do this will only end up in failure.