Buying organic versus buying local; a study of farmers' markets
Isabel Gertler

As far back as I can remember, my family has made the weekly trips to various farmers’ markets in the Toronto area for Ontario produce and freshly made foods. In the past five years the number of urban farmers’ markets has boomed, and continues to grow at a rapid rate – today in Toronto there are over 30 weekly farmers’ markets. My research focuses on three particular markets, one that has existed for many years, a second which was established just over five years ago, and a third that opened only this spring. At these markets I am interviewing vendors and customers, and handing out questionnaires that ask about food preferences. In particular, I am interested in organic and local food trends, as well as minor trends including slow food. To date, I’ve found that for many customers local now eclipses organic in importance, though nearly all food trends are on the rise.

My research is funded by a Mount Allison Summer Undergraduate Research Grant. Come the fall I will begin writing my Honours thesis, which will be completed in April 2009. I plan to share the finished product with the markets of Toronto, especially the three that are most important to my study. In addition to the farmers’ markets, I will make my results available to groups such as Farmers’ Markets Ontario, as well as local maritime farmers’ markets who I hope will find my thesis relevant and beneficial to their own operations. In addition to the written thesis, I am compiling a series of photographs at the markets, and hope to show these at a venue in Sackville.

The Importance of Storytelling: An Investigation of Oral Traditions among Aboriginal Peoples of the Maritimes
Kathleen Eddy

My research in the Anthropology department examines the importance of storytelling within the Maritime Aboriginal community. As part of my work, I am interviewing members of this group. Moreover, I will compare my findings with research on other indigenous populations to gain a holistic view of the use of oral traditions. The information that I have gathered will also be used by my directed studies supervisor, Dr. Walker, in order to expand her resources on the Maritime Aboriginal community. After obtaining my undergraduate degree from Mount Allison, I plan to be an educator at the elementary level. Within this field I hope to use the knowledge that I have acquired on various cultures, most notably the Canadian Aboriginal community, to allow for an integrated educational experience.