Those of you who remember us from our InCampagna days – when our products came exclusively from the InCampagna network of producers subscribed to the philosophy of eating what is local and within the immediate region proximity – know where we’re coming from; from where we left and where we are today.
What I am referring to is the meaning of organic – which is not only chemical-free food, but also food which is organically available where we are. I am a firm believer that there is a reason for all of us to be born in one place and not another; and I am of a firmer conviction that nature provides anything our body needs in any region and season.
My immediate family’s life expectancy proved that, particularly my grandma who passed away enjoying full health at age 90+, on a daily diet of hobz biz-zejt flavoured with vibrant red pulpy tomatoes and a glass of red wine.
With the introduction of the global village, consumption got different ideas. As humans, we tend to think that our neighbours’ – irrespective of whether they are near or far – grass is always greener. The discovery of exotic tastes was extended to agricultural experiments to try to grow tropical crop in a Mediterranean climate, and complex logistics to ship any produce at any time of the year anywhere.
Where do we, as Farmer’s Deli, stand in all this?
For sure, we continue to support and encourage local, whatever is available, and our main imports remain from what is closest to us and who and what we know best – Sicily.
But as basic as it may seem, running an operation like ours – with proper refrigerated delivery from the farm to your door, warehousing, cold storage, the works – comes at a price which needs to be sustainable.
That’s where the formula– from adhering to selling a philosophy which ultimately cannot be imposed on the consumer, to supplying the market with what it wants –changes. If the consumer creates a demand, as suppliers we cater for it.
But our responsibility in all this remains and it is twofold – one to continue with our communication and encouragement to consume what is closest to home so that our customers make informed choices in their shopping. The second is to ensure that we import from reliable sources, with transparent traceability of organic certification; good agricultural practices, as certification differs from country to country; and, most importantly, that our produce come from fair trade, which means that to enjoy an item out of season on this part of the world, someone else is not being exploited with underpaid labour on another side of the globe.
With these standards in place, the choice is ultimately yours.
