Watch for a restored 1958 Massey Ferguson tractor on the highways and byways this Sunday.
Fifth generation farmer Ryan Vantreight, of Vantreight Farms will drive the vintage farm vehicle to the Eat Here Now event at Centennial Square on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will feature farmers, fishers, butchers, bakers, processors, vintners, brewers, coffee roasters and restaurants of Greater Victoria.
“I’m doing this to show how close farmers are to the city and how accessible our produce is compared to the shocking amount that is imported every day,” Vantreight said. “I chose my grandfather’s tractor to take the trip because back in 1958, in his day, Vancouver Island agriculture and local food security was in much better shape than it is today. Today, we are almost totally dependant on food that comes from other countries and the mainland that is being imported by sea and air. This imbalance has got to change if local farmers and farms are going to survive.”
The Eat Here Now local food harvest festival is organized by the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society. Visit www.victoriapublicmarket.com for more information.