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The program works to promote local agriculture and support local growers through the creation of new urbanâ€"rutal relationships among members of the farming community, conâ€" Ssumers and various social service groups. Foodlink program takes local shoppers straight to the farmer Mefmnntemnn | Lt Foodlink i8"an incorpo: rated nonâ€"profit organizaâ€" tion that links farmers and citizens together in creating a sustainable food system. And with the release of Foodlink‘s new Buy loggl! Buy Fresh! map, consum#ré now have a direct g@ide to the fapms involved in the Iristead of battling down the aisles of their local groâ€" cery store, customers can buy a lot of their food prodâ€" ucts directly from the farmâ€" ers‘ fields. _ _ * ( :onsumers can put a face to their food through a promotion called Foodlink of Waterloo â€"_ "Last year we distributed 40,000 maps," said Marc Xuereb of the Region of Waterloo. "And it was also our most highly reguested pamphlet. We régeived over 1,000 inquiries fa §t." Regi?n‘ program Farmers pay aer(-gislra- tion fee of $50 to We listed on the map. And in return, Xuereb said, last year many saw an increase of about 50 per cent in their overall sales. "People are beginning to realize the benefits of buyâ€" ing directly from the food producers," he said. Such benefits include better nutrition, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy. Food that is grown and sold locally travels a much shorter distance and burns less fuel for transportation "This way food doesn‘t have to travel as many miles to get to tables," Xueteb said. By Anorea Baney Chronicle Staff Gerrie Her"g{)rt of Hergott Cider Mill shows off some of the many food items available to customers through the Foodlink program. . a‘ anpeea saitey moro And when consumers buy directly from the farms, they are supporting bocal farm families, preserving local farmland and helping t0,expand the local food market. \_ "This isa growing moveâ€" ment," Xuereb said. "We are educating more consumers, raising the demand for locally grown food and makâ€" ing farming a viable enterâ€" prise." And.that‘s a philosophy local farmer Gerrie Hergott, owner of Hergott Cider Mill and Products in Waterloo, appreciates. In fact, it‘s the reason she joined the proâ€" gram in the first place. "They‘re helping to proâ€" mote local producers, and we support that 3" the way," Hergott said. Hergott‘s family has been in the business of making and selling apple products since,1929. Her shelves are stocked with everything from apple butter and apple jelly to apple syrup and apple cider. § For those wa??/prefer pears, Hergott aKo makes appleâ€"pear jelly, pear jelly and pear butter. €BCH t LIFESTYLE In the early 1990s, the Hergetts added a new dimension to their business, becoming almost inseant beekeepers and producing two types ofâ€"honey â€" wildâ€" flower and cinnamon. "Ateheart, we‘refarmers, and we‘re producing someâ€" thing good for the public to eat," she said. Like:most farmers, the family puts a lot of time and effort into its livelihood. And that‘s why Hergott said it‘s so important for consumers to support the local food system. "It‘s sad for us to see peoâ€" ple importing from the U.S. or wherever and let the local products sit on the shelves. That creates a vicious cycle, because when the local farmers are hurting it forces their prices up. And when the prices are up, people go for the imported products. Some farmers are forced right out of business." Hergott pointed out many of the products farm ers sell are kept in their nat ural state. "1 know for the honey, the stuff people buy in stores is no longer natural," HRONICLE | . "The middleman gets the -mogley without doing any of the work," she said. she said. "It‘s either pasteurâ€" ized or cooked. Ours still has all of the nutrients, making it a more wholesome food," Hergott also pointed out, buying food products from stores supports the middleâ€" man, as opposed to the farmers. "Buying right from farmâ€" ers also helgs to promate the family atmosphere, and it keeps the Aavour of Waterâ€" loo Region, as opposed. to a more impersonal feel like you getin other places." Hergott said she plans to continue working with the Foodlink program. "We‘ve given a lot bf maps away, and people are really excited to see where the local producers are," she said. "That kind of exciteâ€" ment is good for the region, and good for our business. "As long as the program‘s philosophy stays the same, we‘ll stay part of it." For more information on the program, call Xuereb at 883â€"2004, ext. 5765, or visit www.foodlinkâ€"waterlooreâ€" gion.ca. Waterloo church offers â€"~_â€" vacation bible school The Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Knitte® Guild and Clay & Cloth Yarns and Giftware areévhosting an evening of Knit and Chat, July 10 from 6â€"9 p.m. at the outdoor courtyard of Waterloo Town Square. Knitters of all levâ€" els and those who efjoy other forms of needle arts are welcome. Participants should bring their own lawn chair. In case of rain, the group will meet at the same location o%# July 17. For further information, call Cloth & Clay at 886â€"7400, Norma at 886â€"3174 or Barbara at 884â€"7914. * . Kids can saddle up and enjoy the Rangho Roundup Vacation Bible School, offered July 7â€"11 at Redeemer® Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Activities will include storiés, craftsgamé®, sports and midâ€"morning snacks. * o The Wilfrid Ldurier University Studerfts‘ Unidn Shinerama team is hosting the fourth annual charity golf tournament, July 4 at the Doon Vdlley GolfClub. The camp will run from 9â€"11:30 a.m., and js open to children ages three to 12. _ C Registration is free. ( The church is located at 78 John St. W. â€". For more inforrpatiorror to register, call 745â€"5027. _ The tournament will be followed with a dinner celâ€" ebration at Wili‘s Restaurant and Bar, located on the Wilfrid Laurier University campus. 4 â€" &" Last year Laurier students and the Kitchenerâ€" Waterloo community gave back by helping the Shinâ€" erama team to raise a recordâ€"breaking $161,000 for the Cani,'idian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. e e eoe ooo o oo it en es n Wl es Proceeds from the day will support cystic fibrosis research. * 4 CF is a fatal genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive tracts of its victims; making it difficult for them to absorb enough nutrients from the food they eat, while thick mucuy in the Jungs impedes breathing. The illness affects approximately 3,000 Canadians and there is no known cure. WLU students‘ union hosts Shinerama golf tournament Money raised through Shinerama will go towards finding a cure, as well as improving the quality of life of those affected by the disease. e The golf tournament will kick off with a shotâ€"gun start at 1 p.m. The cost is $65 for a round of golf, dinâ€" ner, and prizes. Nonâ€"golfers are welcome to particiâ€" pate in the Wilf‘s dinner and celebration for $15. The celebration will carry on throughout the night, with prizes being awarded to all those involved. Call 884â€"0710, ext. 2300 or visit the Centre Spot, located on the second floor of the Fred Nichols camâ€" pus centre at the university, to purchase a ticket. Kâ€"W Mtter Guild hosts outdoor‘knot and chat‘ CC {~ Canadion Travel & Cruises Caril;bean On Sale! 886â€"