To the Editor:
Open letter to Linda Larson
First of all I want to congratulate you on becoming the representative for Boundary-Similkameen constituency.
I attended the all-candidates’ forum in Keremeos and questioned you about the Buy BC program which was cancelled almost immediately after the Liberals won power. This program was brought in under an NDP government in 1993 and was very popular in this area.
I see that the Liberal government has a program called Buy Local. I think that’s a great idea but the Liberal government is not following its own guidelines.
I understand that the residents of Orchard Haven are eating food that comes from a big food conglomerate in Vernon. We have a thriving little agricultural valley right here in the Similkameen. The residents could be eating food picked that very day. Instead they get frozen meals that have to be transported for many kilometers and then reheated. I find this practice appalling.
How on earth does that make sense? Not nutritionally, certainly not environmentally, and not community-wise in any way.
I hope you will advocate for our area in this respect. Jobs are important but where they are is also important. Small communities can use all the help they can get and more jobs at home would be an excellent start. Ours is an agricultural community with many extremely good growers. Where does Vernon get the food that is prepared there to be sent here?
Sincerely, Donna Stocker, Cawston