Many of these ideas have created a philosophy known as ‘The 100 Mile Diet’. By eating food that is grown and processed within 100 miles of where we live our carbon footprint is dramatically reduced.
I always like to take ideas of this nature to
the next level and so - for the last decade, I have enjoyed planting and
learning how to grow my own food. I like
to follow ‘The 100 Foot Diet’ as often as I can!
I’m also very active in sharing these ideas
with others – to inspire others to become more involved in their own family’s
food production. This very story is one
such effort to share inspiration… with you.
Several years ago, I took these ideas to the
next level – again! I created an event
that is designed to teach people how easy it is to live a more sustainable
lifestyle. In 2008 “Blueberry Dayz” was
born!
Since that time, this effort has grown and
grown. More people have become involved
and the groups that I’ve been working with have created fun jam making classes
for families to learn even more about how to become sustainable.
The idea is rather simple…
First, I ask my boss if I can borrow a bus for
a weekend morning. I have yet to be
refused and last year the story of ‘Blueberry Dayz’ was actually featured in my
company’s monthly newsletter! My boss
figures that since I’m donating my time, there is very little company expense
and since the group that I work with to create this event more than pays for
the fuel that is needed, no one incurs a financial loss.
The community organization that I work with
takes care of advertising the event and registering the families who want to
participate. For the last couple of
years I have worked with the Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre to create
‘Blueberry Dayz’ as well as a ‘Strawberry Dayz’ event.
The GCCRC is a group of people dedicated to
helping families on fixed/low incomes as well as new immigrants who have
travelled far in search of a safer life.
They offer a lot of programs and guidance to people who would otherwise
find life’s hurdles insurmountable. I
applaud their efforts!
By filling a bus full of berry pickers a huge
financial savings is reached, for each family.
Most people pick around $20.00 worth of blueberries. This same volume, if purchase in a grocery
store or even a farmers market, would cost over $40.00. This same volume, if purchased in smaller
quantities from the frozen food section of a grocery store, would cost close to
$90.00.
By picking our own berries and then freezing
them to enjoy in pancakes, muffins or over a bowl of oatmeal, we are able to
enjoy them throughout the winter. We no
longer need to purchase these berries from other countries. When we reduce our need for imported berries
we are also reducing our carbon footprint as we are not supporting the use of
planes, boats or long-distance trucks.
One full bus can carry close to 60 people to a
nearby farm and this also reduces our carbon footprint because it would take
over 20 cars to get this same number of people to a farm and 20 cars would use
a lot more fuel than one bus.
When 60 people each spend $20.00 on berries,
the farmer sees an increase in sales of over $1000.00! This kind of financial transaction helps to
strengthen our local economy as our money stays within the community instead of
being spread out around the globe.
So – in a nutshell… Blueberry Dayz helps people to save money,
reduce their carbon footprint, enjoy berries all year round, support local
farmers and strengthen our local economy!
That’s a nice list of accomplishments for only a two hour investment in
time!!
My goal is to work towards creating even more
adventures of this nature – it would be nice to go cherry picking, apple
picking and even pumpkin picking – over the next many years. I have even shared these stories with our
local politicians and other environmental groups to inspire them to also create
events like Blueberry Dayz in the communities where they live. This year, our group was very happy to see City Councillor Michael VanHolst in attendance for our departure to the blueberry farm. Micheal couldn't join us, but he dropped by to learn more about this event and to wave us a 'Bon Voyage!' as we left on our adventure. This made me feel great to know that my idea has now made its way into London's City Hall. Wouldn't it be great to see cities from around the world working on similar community projects?!!!
Way back in 2014 (last year - LOL!) I was campaigning to become London’s next mayor. As I campaigned, I brought the ideas surrounding Blueberry Dayz to
the spotlight by adding them to my political platform.
When searching for ideas that will enhance our
lives as we learn how to become sustainable, it is important to realize the
significance of a small idea. Every
small idea is a seed that - when it is cared for – will grow to become
something substantial!
Jim
Kogelheide
2015
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