You did it!!!

I am so proud of us.
All of those letters that you sent, emails that you typed, and calls that you made actually did something! Two things in fact.

1. Farmers can now legally grow potatoes and sell them at Farmers Markets and Roadside stands without having to go through the Peak of the Market marketing board. Peak has changed its rules to make these two categories of retail allowable.
It's still illegal for farmers to grow potatoes and sell them to other retail locations such as national chains or even independent retailers in Manitoba.

2. Peak of the Market has granted my farmer a concession. Because he grows only immature potatoes not for storage, he is currently being legally allowed to sell his product to some independent stores in Manitoba without having to go though the Peak of the Market marketing board. As part of this concession he must allow Peak of the Market inspectors to come onto his property once per year in the fall to inspect his facility to ensure that he isn't secretly growing any potatoes for winter storage (which is what Peak of the Market controls).

Though it may seem small, I consider this a huge victory. For better or for worse marketing boards have played a large role in Canadian agriculture for decades. They are powerful institutions whose business practices are rarely held to public inspection, and so whose policies are rarely swayed by public opinion.

Each sector's marketing board benefits some farmers, while stifling innovation for others. Sometimes, but not always, the marketing boards benefit those farmers who hold office in the board of directors, and stifle innovation from small farmers in direct competition. I sincerely hope that the current trend of consumer concsiousness will hold these Agricultural Marketing Boards to a higher standard of behaviour.

Thank you for caring about Manitoba Farmers!!

Take Care
Erin