As farmers’ markets everywhere scramble to find safe new ways of operating during the current pandemic, one model in particular appears to be gaining traction in this region and elsewhere.
Originally popularized in Finland several years ago, the REKO (meaning fair consumption) model directly connects food producers and consumers using a closed Facebook group. It is a simple, no-cost and efficient approach to buying and selling local food.
Producers post what they have to sell each week on Facebook with photos and prices. Customers place their orders by commenting on the post. Payment is arranged (with COVID, e-transfers are common). Customers pick up their orders at a pre-designated spot and time. Everything is pre-ordered; there are no same day sales. This model, with physical distancing and other safety measures in place, has been approved by our local health unit during the pandemic.
Assuming there is enough interest from producers, plans are to have the REKO up and running by mid-May at the latest. It would run weekly. When the Sunday Farmers’ Market resumes, the REKO would continue to run, but not during the same week as the Sunday market. The Lion’s Den parking lot on County Rd. #10 is being investigated as a potential pick-up point. Pick-ups usually happen on a weekday, late afternoon or early evening.
If you are a producer interested in joining the Millbrook/Cavan REKO, please contact Larissa Nicholson at larissa@littleleaffarms.ca. There is an application process and vendors must produce what they sell. If you are interested in buying through this network, please check the Millbrook Farmers’ Market website for updates on its progress (www.millbrookfarmersmarket.weebly.com).
To see what an operating REKO looks like in action, visit the REKO website (https://rekocanada.ca).
By Leni Rautiainen
