This week (June 3-9) is Local Food Week in Ontario! While every week is local food week at Fraberts, this is a week marked specially by the province to celebrate and promote Ontario farmers and everyone else in the food chain that supports them.
“Ontario’s farmers work hard to produce more than 200 different commodities, and that’s truly something to celebrate,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This week, and every week, we recognize the contributions of the people who put food on our tables, strengthen Ontario’s economy, and build up rural communities.”
Eating local not only supports local farmers and your community; it is better for the environment (Ontario farmers are leaders in environmental stewardship and it reduces your carbon footprint) and let’s face it – it simply tastes better!
This week try to eat as local as possible – it isn’t hard with Ontario strawberries, asparagus, greens, and other produce available as well as meat, grains, and dairy products that are available year-round. Look for the Foodland Ontario logo or simply ask!
In 2019 Fraberts was very proud to win the Ontario Local Food Champion award from the province. https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/fraberts-owners-named-local-food-champions/
For more information, check out this year’s Local Food Report https://www.ontario.ca/page/2024-local-food-report which features some of the people behind the products and recognizes the incredible contribution farmers make to the province.
To know what fruits and vegetables grow in Ontario and when they are at the peak of freshness, visit https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide and check out recipes at https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/recipes
Another great place to learn about agriculture in Ontario is Farm and Food Care Ontario https://www.farmfoodcareon.org/ and I’m not just saying that because I helped create it 😊
