Are you a locavore?
And if not, why not? Locavores are people who make a real effort to eat only foods grown and/or sold locally. These people are not food fanatics. They are food enthusiasts. The locavore approach is good for our local farmers and food producers, for our local economy and for our environment. This is the ultimate no-brainer!
Locavores are fast becoming a major force in the economy. This burgeoning army of food enthusiasts are determined to buy food products grown locally or regionally. From the local farmer selling his produce from a rustic shop, to a commercially organized farmers’ market, to local shops selling seasonal produce - locavores seek them out and support them all.
It's about time!
The locavore brigade couldn’t have arrived at a better time in our social history. Over the years, we’ve forfeited community spirit for supermarket convenience and generated millions of potentially damaging food miles in our demand to have the food we want when we want it. We’ve forgotten the nutritional value of seasonal eating and neglected the economic contribution to our community that eating locally brings.
Why are we buying food from thousands of miles away when we have such a rich agricultural landscape right here on our doorstep? According to foodlandontario.com, the Ontario Greenbelt spans 1.8 million acres and ‘is vital to the quality of life in southern Ontario.’ The Greenbelt, created by legislation in February 2005, was set up ‘to protect environmentally sensitive land and farmlands from urban development and sprawl.’
So much to choose from
Over half of Greenbelt land owners are farmers, producing everything from lambs and sheep to fruits and flowers to plants and vegetables. The Greenbelt produces over 25% of Ontario’s apples, over 87% of the province’s peaches, over 85% of our grapes and nearly 43% of our raspberries. And that’s just for starters.
Carrots, onions, potatoes, beets, parsnips, cauliflower, lettuce, celery – you name it and we grow it. So why look further than your local farmers’ market or health-conscious food retailer? In the Markham area alone, there is such a great choice of outlets selling fresh, nutritious local food: Main Street Market, Longo’s, Garden Basket, The Village Grocer, and the list goes on.
Back to basics
Eating locally takes us back to eating according to the seasons. Seasonal eating means fresher food that is also cheaper because we are buying it when it is most plentiful. There are more nutrients because the food hasn’t had time to over-ripen or start to turn, and it just plain tastes better.
Buying locally means the money you spend stays within the local economy. It’s a way of re-investing in the community. If you are going to spend the food budget anyway, why not keep it in the family, so to speak?
A friendly face
And speaking of community, what better way to get to know the producers and suppliers that are the backbone of your local economy? Giant supermarkets are impersonal. If you don’t buy, someone else will. In local shops and farmers’ markets, on the other hand, you’ll find farmers and retailers alike ready and willing to discuss the produce with you.
If you are unfamiliar with a specific food or vegetable, they’ll be glad to explain it. If you’re unsure how to cook or prepare a particular food, they’ll help out. Whether producers or suppliers, these people have an enthusiasm for food and for what they do, and they are eager to share that knowledge with their customers. So, in addition to the nutritional and financial benefits, eating locally can also become an informative and social experience, as well as a culinary voyage of discovery.
It's just more fun!
How many people really look forward to the weekly supermarket shop? Let’s face it – most of us dread it, and we are not alone. Take a quick look around the place. We become robots in these colossal stores, picking things up out of habit, and taking little notice of the people around us.
Shopping locally is a lot more fun. First of all, seasonal food shopping brings some surprises because you’re never sure exactly what will be in stock. After a few visits, the faces behind the food counter will become familiar as well.
Keep in touch
As you can see, buying and eating locally is a great way to keep in touch – with the surrounding countryside, with local farmers and retailers, with our immediate community, with friends and neighbours, and most of all, with the seasons which bring us the best food to keep us well nourished and healthy.
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
