Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: Apples to Oysters

Apples to Oysters: a foodlover's tour of Canadian farms by Margaret Webb 2008

A sign in my grocery store reads, “If you have eaten today, thank a farmer.” Margaret Webb travels to 11 special farms across Canada to show us exactly why we should be appreciative and supportive of those who persevere in their quest to bring quality products to our tables. Webb stays with each family participating in their work, preparing food, sharing recipes and chronicling their stories, most of which are shared in the intimacy of the family meal time. Their journeys are so captivating and inspiring that the reader must remember that this is non-fiction—these are real people, not characters, struggling to establish and maintain high standards in the face of competition from huge agri-businesses. Webb’s wonderful sense of humour in relating these stories is balanced by her poignant personal reflections about her own experiences growing up on a farm near Barrie, Ontario. Apples to Oysters not only underscores the real challenges facing Canadian farmers, but it also offers intriguing information on Canada’s natural history, geography and on what happens when political, commercial and academic organizations try to meddle with Mother Nature. The next time you visit a grocery store or restaurant you will find yourself asking, “At what cost do we produce cheap food?” Nominated for OLA’s 2009 Evergreen Award.