Organic farmer aims to provide children in Regina with healthy food for free
Organic farmer Rick Morrell spreading Aloha to Saskatchewan
Rick Morrell is trying to bring the spirit of Aloha to Saskatchewan.
The organic farmer was inspired by "Uncle Ted" an Elder he met on a trip to Hawaii. The Elder told Morrell about Aloha man, who grows lots of taro and if someone's family doesn't have food they come and work on the farm for a day and take home food for the family for a week. Morrell said ancient Hawaiian culture, much like First Nations culture, was built on sharing and status went to people who provided food for the festivals and helped their neighbours build their houses.
Morrell runs Eat Healthy Foods, an organic food store in Regina, and is passionate about making sure everyone who wants to eat organic foods can. He has a discount program for people with low incomes and sells vegetables he grows locally as cheaply as possible. However, he said even selling organic vegetables he imports from BC or Mexico at cost is too expensive for some people.
The only way we are going to be able to make it affordable for everyone to eat clean food is if we grow it ourselves.- Rick Morrell owner of Eat Healthy Foods and Aloha Farm
"The only way we are going to be able to make it affordable for everyone to eat clean food is if we grow it ourselves," said Morrell.
Morrell has a goal of providing Carmichael Outreach, an organization that provides meals for people in Regina, with fresh organic food.
"The majority of the population feels they cannot afford chemical free food. We'll change that by supplying the poorest people with fresh greens, other vegetables and plant or animal proteins," explains Morrell.
Morrell launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to fund the No Child Shall Be Hungry Project. He's looking for money to build a greenhouse, a root cellar, a pig pen, a larger chicken coop and housing for the 'WWOOFers' (willing workers on organic farms), who will help him grow the food for the program. Morrell estimates it will cost about 27 thousand dollars to make his dream a reality.The volunteer workers work two hours a day weeding or picking vegetables in exchange for food and accommodations.
"That leaves plenty of time for them to play guitar and enjoy the farm," adds Morrell.
"If people can't afford to eat chemical free foods because they don't have the cash, and it costs nothing to grow it, why don't we just grow it?" asked Morrell.
Morrell wants to give 2/3rds of the food to people with low incomes and sell the other third at the farmer's market or at his store.
"If you look at Hawaiian society or First Nations society they had ways of taking care of themselves that was not based on money, but based on community, and I think a little bit of Aloha would go a long way," said Morrell.
They had ways of taking care of themselves that was not based on money, but based on community. I think a little bit of Aloha would go a long way.- Rick Morrell
Morrell has a goal of providing the Food Bank in Regina with the greens and protein they need to provide healthy food for people in Regina. He hopes Aloha Farm will used as a training ground for other people who want to grow their own food.
This weekend Morrell is hosting a festival out at the farm between Balgonie and Fort Qu'Appelle. Aloha Fest 2015 will have workshops on local plants and gardening, yoga, communal meals and music. Tickets are available at Eat Healthy Foods in Regina.