It wasn’t that long ago that Ontarians looked forward to summer for its plentiful crop of berries, corn, asparagus and a host of luscious leafy vegetables. This was food as nature intended – fresh, local, nutritious and in season. The good news is – it’s still there, ripe for the picking.
By going along with the nutritional seasonal flow, we can enjoy a variety of food – at its freshest and most nutritious, and support our farming communities and local grocers at the same time. With the exception of some exotic fruits and vegetables that simply cannot be produced in our climate, why buy food that’s been dragged half way round the world when it’s already being grown on our own doorstep?
Three easy ways you can eat seasonally
The first is to support your local farmers’ market. If you’ve never been to a farmers’ market, you’re in for a real treat. You’ll be amazed at the variety of produce, assortment of colours and diversity of flavours. A farmers’ market is also a great opportunity to learn about new foods and add them to your culinary repertoire. And, as farmers’ markets tend to be friendly, relaxed environments, they’re also great places to meet new people as well.
Secondly, find out which local grocers stock local produce, make a point of supporting them, and suggest your friends and family do the same.
And finally, what is the best way to eat seasonally and healthily? Grow your own! Even in the smallest backyard or in balcony window boxes, you can easily grow your own tomatoes, beans, peppers, and even salad leaves. (I even grow green beans and yellow wax beans indoors in winter on the window sill!)
From garden to kitchen – you can’t get much fresher than that – and not a truck, pesticide or chemical in sight!
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
