LibbyIn the confusion and chaos that we all shared in 2020, one singular process had a powerful tilt in the fight against COVID-19. SCM, or Supply-Change Management, the art of knowing how much you’re going to need of what, when, and how you’re going to access those goods and services. If you’re sick of the term social-distancing in 2020, you may parlay this one into the hatred of supply-chain issues for 2021. With almost 400 million vaccines on order, a scant number of Canadians have had their jab in the arm, we’re laughably behind our commonwealth cousins. With no method or means of mass-producing our own, we’re left languishing until bottlenecks at various borders can be ironed out.
Imagine for a second, another dire situation. What if our food supply was mismanaged in the same way as the vaccine rollout? I have found myself dwelling on this more than a few times with envy as I watch my friends in the US getting on with life after receiving their inoculations. Could we have spared our most vulnerable citizens if we had been more analytical in our approach?
Short answer? Yes, absolutely. But with no crystal ball and a rearview mirror that is full of broken promises and disposable masks, here we are. Looking forward, we still have much to be thankful for. The same aforementioned bottlenecks we are being currently subjected to for vaccinations are routinely a part of life for millions living around the world with food scarcity and shortages.
Our farmers with their careful plotting, planning, harvesting and storage have diligently supplied our robust food chain with at-your-fingertips food, with nary a bump in the road. I’ve never experienced an apple shortage, or known a Christmas feast without a roast beast. While I may have wanted, I’ve never needed. I’ve always had. And I guess in a very limited capacity, can imagine what it’s like to go without.
While I’m lucky on many counts, I’m feeling extraordinarily grateful in particular this year, to our great farmers. Thank you for feeding me and my family. Thank you for constantly evolving, continually caring, and consistently nourishing.
Tuesday, February 23rd is #CdnAgDay. Share your love and show us how you’re celebrating Canadian farmers.
Words + pics by Libby Roach. Lead photo of High Bluff Stock Farm.