“Jam isn’t complicated; it’s not going to change the world in any big way. By operating a sustainable business – a business that can be sustained environmentally, and by workers, consumers and a profitable bottom line – we can impact the world in many small but measurable ways”.-Crofters
I had to start this post of with this little “credo” from the Crofter’s website. It really explains a lot, especially for those of us who believe that it’s the little things that count. Could you save a few pennies and buy another brand of jam, let’s say a company that is a household name, in every household in the western world? Of course you could. And if that is your thing, go for it; the jam will be a “serviceable villain”, fine for a slapdash PB&J sandwich, but seriously, can you possibly imagine talking to a friend about how delicious it is? About where the fruit is grown? How it was harvested? Who made it? Do the people that make it even care about these things? The answers to these questions, respectively, are “Are you kidding”, “I have no idea” “Who cares?” “Some sad, factory drudge” and “I seriously doubt it.”
You know why that brand you buy is your favourite? Because the company that makes it has spent millions on advertising convincing you to buy it. They do not really care about that jam. And they don’t care about you, or what crap you put in your body. They care about your money. And they’re getting it. You know this, but who cares. It’s a little thing. It’s not going to change the world. And the multi-national corporation knows this, they count on it, and you, yes you, are making them richer and richer, a few cents at a time.
So let’s address some of these concerns while looking at Crofter’s jams. It is a family owned and run business, extant since 1989, located in Parry Sound, a few hours north of Toronto. The area is iconic Canadian Shield land, and in fact is designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. It is not a huge, faceless corporation, employing only thirty people, yet it is still one of the largest employers in the area.
The fruit, well, it comes from a variety of sources. On this page they provide information about all the fruit used in upwards of 24 organic spreads and jams. Non GMO, organic, BPA Free, Gluten Free, made with organic ethically sourced cane sugar.
Take this little jar of Blueberry Jam for example. You know that we here at Fiesta are crazy for wild blueberries, so this is the spread we wanted to try first. Organic wild blueberries from Quebec. Organic cane sugar. Natural apple pectin and vitamin C. You want high fructose corn syrup and scary mutant fruit fertilized with human poo, go somewhere else.
All these little things add up to making a big difference in our world. Take those few cents you thought you were saving and spend them on something that is good. Jeez, I didn’t even tell you how it tastes. But you already know, don’t you?