Some southern Albertans are finding ways to combat rising food costs. According to Statistics Canada, vegetable prices have seen a 6.4 per cent increase in recent months. I found out how this encouraged one member of our community to turn over a new leaf.
A local resident is digging up his roots to get a taste of some homegrown produce.
The rising cost of vegetables has inspired one man to take the matter into his own hands.
Lethbridge resident, Brian Nielsen, has been spending the winter educating himself and preparing for his first garden in the spring.
Nielsen says he misses the taste of the edibles he used to get from the garden when he was a kid.
“I remember growing up, that fresh vegetable on the table, salads and boiled vegetables… just seemed taste a lot better.”
Neilsen has already begun germinating his seeds and started a complex composting process, which will provide nutrients for his plants.
He attributes his newfound knowledge to the internet in which he has self-educated himself on the process.
Nielsen took advantage of the recent warm weather to build his raised plant bed.
Local produce will soon be flourishing in more than just home gardens. Developers will soon be breaking ground on a new 20-acre geothermal greenhouse located just south of Lethbridge, here in Magrath.
CEO of Ag Spectra, Lonnie Mesick is spearheading the project. He says it goes beyond just food.
“My main job is to provide hope. Not with only food, but also with jobs and sustainable food. And also with green communities, that’s my whole purpose in life.”
Nielsen says along with having fresh foods he has other reasons for starting a garden as well.
“To relax, something to do while I’m at home, not just watching TV. Get outside, get a little fresh air and exercise. Especially this time of year, it’s nice to be getting some of the vitamin D.
Nielsen estimates his total costs to be around 1,000 dollars, but says the investment will last for years to come. Nielsen believes in bringing back community and looks forward to sharing the fruits of his labour with his neighbors.