Don’t Forget the Small Local Producers

Currently, I am on assignment in the small seaport of Bogilasco ITALY where I see a few of the 99% in their 20’ fishing boats gathering barely enough fish daily to support their families. Because of past over-fishing plus commercial fishing by multinational fishing factory ships in “international waters” in the Mediterranean, these locals survive because they retain their placing by passing their fishing boat storage sites from generation to generation. No one new to the community can join or hope to compete because the price of entry is too high.

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The market conditions are tough. The large commercial boats set the price of seafood so low that these folks sell in town to a local market of people who want the catch of the day, as well as wanting to support the local community.

There are many small producers out there, surviving near the bottom of the income distribution, like family farmers, artisans and craftspeople, small builders and repair and maintenance people such as plumbers and electricians. They add to the richness and diversity of the economy, but how will they fare in the future? They will survive, I believe, if we as consumers recognize the value of what they provide, such as organic produce and local foodstuffs, and a large variety of other goods and services. By supporting them, we can enrich our communities and ourselves.