The Right Ingredients

Margaret Congdon always had an interest in cooking. While taking plant protection at NSAC she often spent her spare time perfecting complicated recipes to relieve stress. When she graduated from NSAC in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, Plant Protection she didn’t realize the significant role cooking would take throughout her career.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, although I never thought I would be preparing food for a living,” says Congdon. Growing up in Sheffield Mills, in the Annapolis Valley, Congdon’s decision to attend NSAC was based in part on her family’s history with the institution. Congdon’s great uncle, father, three of her uncles, both of her brothers, her sister in-law and numerous cousins all received their educations at NSAC. Her daughter, Caitlin has since continued the family tradition and is a student at the university today.
Even though her family history at NSAC was important, what drew Congdon to NSAC was the relevance of the programs. “I was able to study Nova Scotian agriculture, right here where it’s relevant and applicable; and where I grew up,” she says. After considering Dalhousie’s pharmacy program, a campus tour helped her decide that career path just wasn’t for her. Another deciding factor for her was a 4-H leader who sparked Congdon’s interest in local food production.

This interest in local food and Nova Scotian agriculture ended up playing a role not only in which school she attended, but also in her future career. After using cooking as a method to ‘blow off steam’ in university, she decided to carry it into her everyday work. After graduating from NSAC, Congdon was looking for employment when she was asked to prepare food for a few events. She has never looked back.
For the past 20 years Congdon has been employed as a caterer. For many years she catered parties and local events in her community and the province. Recently, she decided to scale back her operation. Congdon spends her days as an in-home chef for five local families. This decision has given her a unique opportunity to encourage these families to begin to purchase their food locally. “People don’t realize how well you can eat just by purchasing local food that is in season. Many don’t realize how broad the selection is right here in Nova Scotia,” says Congdon.

“One of the great things about working on a smaller scale is that I now have the opportunity to buy locally,” says Congdon, who tries to encourage others to buy local as well. “There are just so many great resources here, such as farmers markets and local farmers,” says Congdon. “I just wish more people would take advantage of the resources available to them in their own community.”
Congdon has also collaborated with a local establishment, to ensure their menu features locally minded choices. She currently has five regular clients, with many more on a waiting list. “I really enjoy it and plan on continuing with it in the future,” says Congdon.

When asked if she thinks people are becoming more conscious of where their food comes from, Congdon says, “I think there will certainly be an increase in buying local in the very near future. Right now, there is almost a disconnect with many people and food. When asked, many would probably answer that their food comes from the grocery store.” She adds, “People often don’t realize that you can eat very well, with great variety, using only locally products.” Congdon believes that we need to use the power we have as consumers to demand local food and the signage to identify it.

Although not working in her field of study, Congdon says her time at NSAC was a great life experience. During her studies, Congdon was part of the first four year degree class to graduate from NSAC. “It was a great opportunity for us to get a degree exactly where our interests were,” she says. She explains that the values she received from NSAC are still with her today, and so is her interest in Nova Scotian agriculture. “I’m often drawing on what I learned at NSAC and I still believe being able to study Nova Scotian agriculture right here is a great thing.”.

Pictured L-R: Glenn Ells (Margaret's father), Class of '53, Caitlin (Margaret's daughter) a second year plant science student at NSAC and Margaret.