By Jean-Paul McDonald, Farms.com
Ontario’s local food week kicked off Monday June 2 across the province, celebrating the vast variety of locally grown, tasty and nutritious foods grown in Ontario communities. With the aim of raising awareness for locally grown foods, the Local Food Act was passed in 2013 and helps to bring greater access and awareness to locally grown foods in grocery stores, markets, schools and restaurants.
Starting the first Monday in June, local food week aims to showcase all the home-grown goods that Ontario has to offer, including fresh meats and cheeses, vegetables and fruits, maple syrup and more. With consumers wanting to know more about where their food comes from, it creates an ideal opportunity for people to enjoy fresh food that travels a short distance from farm to plate and encourages dialog with local producers who are happy to answer questions about their products.
With harsh winters in Canada, many foods come to us from countries with warmer climates and can often take days or weeks to reach our grocery stores, and ultimately or dinner tables. While local foods are available year round in Ontario, the summer substantially increases the choices available. Local foods not only taste fresher and better, they also help our local economies and stimulate job creation.
Check out your local farmers’ market, take a tour of a local farm, and try some locally inspired recipes this week. Like they say, Good things grow in Ontario.