Local Food News — Ontario

ECO Wants Local Food Conversation Expanded

Ontario’s Environment Commissioner calls the provincial Local Food Act an important starting point for a much larger conversation. Gord Miller’s recent report suggests increasing the focus on food production as close to market as possible is one part of creating a food system that encourages consumers to make more sustainable choices. But Miller says the test will be whether the Minister of Agriculture seizes the opportunity to establish and implement quantifiable and ambitious targets. Blackburn AgriMedia story.

Garden Feeds Residents at St Paul’s College

After 6 months of hard work and perseverance, my dream became a reality. I hoped that this could become a space for learning about local and sustainable food issues, for community-building and for students to experience an improved connection to the land and their food. I did my best to ensure its success at St. Paul’s and hoped that it could influence the broader University of Waterloo community as well. I had no idea how far it would go. Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable post.

“Niche to mainstream” a hot topic at fourth annual Local Food Conference

Local food is a powerful source in our agri-food system, yet not all local food shoppers are buying the same. Kingston hosted the Fourth Annual Local Food Conference— where local food business owners, producers, distributors and those passionate about local food explored the topic of creating space in a crowded market or staying niche. The two-day conference on Nov. 24 and 25 was presented by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), in partnership with Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO); it launched with a tour of local businesses. Attendees visited MacKinnon Brothers Brewery Company, Patchwork Gardens and Farm Boy, where a representative discussed ways of getting local products into the store. KingstonRegion.com story.

Food365: What is local food?

There are a number of benefits that support Local Food practices. One of the most obvious is the reduction of distance and therefore, time required to transport food products. The transportation of food products requires the burning of fossil fuels. The longer the travel time, the greater the amount of CO2 is produced and the more unstable global climate change becomes. Local production also allows for less packaging, preservatives at an ideally lower cost. In addition, the food will be much fresher because it hadn’t needed to travel thousands of kilometres. UeaT – University of Toronto post.

 

Guelph community food hub gets $267,000

A $267,300 seed has been planted to grow a new organization aimed at eliminating poverty and food insecurity in Guelph in a new way. Seed Community Food Hub Project, known as The Seed, received the Trillium Foundation funding Friday. Guelph MPP and Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals called the announcement “extra special,” and the result of exemplary, broad-based community involvement. “It’s always a delight when you’ve got an issue and you see it come through, with the community coming together in a way to solve a problem and to create something that’s new and exciting,” Sandals said. Guelph Mercury story.

Making It Simple To Give Local

The items listed below come packaged in our reusable burlap shopping bags, and are ready-to-give, with vibrant tissue paper already included. This year, we’ve incorporated an extra special element, as the bags will feature artwork by local artist Julia Veenstra. We have chosen a delightful selection of local products that will make your mouth water! All bags will contain the same items, except for the option of choosing icewine tea or seasonal coffee. The Mustard Seed post.

Halton Healthcare Services Receives Ogvg’s First Local Food Week Award

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) are pleased to announce that Halton

Healthcare Services (HHS)/Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital site has received the first OGVG Local Food Week award. HHS is a multi-site healthcare organization and is comprised of three hospitals serving the communities of Milton, Oakville, Clarkson and Halton Hills in Ontario, Canada. OGVG General Manager, George Gilvesy, and Foodservice Representative, Nancy Hewitt, presented the first Local Food Week award to Marianne Katusin (HHS Manager, Operational readiness, Food Services) and Elma Hrapovich (HHS Director of Nutrition and Foodservices). This team developed multiple locally-themed OGVG promotional displays creating a lot of excitement and awareness about this celebratory week. Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers post.

Hamilton Sustainable Victory Gardens

The Hamilton Victory Gardens is a non-profit team of community volunteers dedicated to alleviating hunger and food insecurity in our communities by transforming empty city lots into places of community, education and growth. Through an innovative approach which combines urban agriculture and charitable giving, students and  volunteers learn about the sustainable agriculture methods we employee to grow thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food banks and hot meal programs. Website.

ECO Wants More Effort On Soil Health

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario wants OMAFRA to institute a process for identifying the province’s innovators in soil health and determining the key factors in their success. Gord Miller’s latest report highlited three of those farmer innovators. He suggests integrating that information along with more detailed and effective educational material into the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan, updated Best Management practices, seminars and workshops. Blackburn AgriMedia story

Walmart–Evergreen Green Grants

Walmart Canada and Evergreen have partnered to offer this national program, funding community-based initiatives across Canada. Projects supported through the Green Grants program include, but are not limited to: native planting initiatives, community food gardens, environmental workshops and educational events. Amount offered: grants of $10,000, $5,000, and $3,500 are available (up to 50% of the total project budget). The 2015 deadline for applications is Monday, February 2, 2015. Evergreen post.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

New partnership launched to protect water quality and support Ontario agriculture

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) and the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) are piloting 15 4R Demonstration Farms as part of the project entitled, Expanding Marketability of Soybeans through Roundtable for Responsible Soy. The project is funded through the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) program. Producers will receive grants for committing a portion of land to field trials under a 4R Nutrient Stewardship management plan. Analysis of this pilot will allow Canadian producers to better understand the current demands for sustainability in the marketplace, where the operational challenges are, and modifications and improvements necessary to meet consumer and retailer demand. Canadian Fertilizer Institute post.

Local Food News — Ontario

The Social Bar and Table Leading the Way with Buying Local

The Social Bar and Table in Port Hope is the first Northumberland restaurant to be designated with the Ontario Tourism Alliance Feast ON program. The Feast ON designation is awarded to applicants who purchase at least 25% of their food and beverages from Ontario producers, as well as a commitment to participating in local food events and partnering with local food and beverage providers. “The designation is a proud accomplishment for The Social”, says Manager Jeff Bray, who understands the importance of keeping it local. “The Social buys over 55% of our product from Ontario suppliers”, says Bray. NorthumberlandView.ca story.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS: LOCAL FOOD

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: It’s an honour for me to speak today about an outstanding restaurant in my riding of Northumberland-Quinte West. The Social Bar and Table in Port Hope has been designated by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Feast ON program. This designation is awarded to applicants who purchase at least 25% of their food and beverages from Ontario producers. They must also commit to participate in local food events and partner with local food and beverage providers. The Social Bar and Table buys over 55% of their products from Ontario suppliers. I’m thrilled that they are one of five restaurants chosen to participate today at Queen’s Park at the 2014 Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food. The Social Bar and Table will be showcasing local products from Linwood Acres Trout Farm, Burnham Family Farm apples and North Gate Organics produce. Please take time to stop by the agri-food summit reception later on this afternoon downstairs, which focuses on Ontario’s finest producers and demonstrates how important it is to buy local and know where our products are coming from. The Social Bar and Table is located at 26 Ontario Street in Port Hope. Please stop by when you’re in the riding. And don’t forget: Good things grow in Ontario. Ontario Hansard (record of debates in the Ontario Legislature) November 27, 2014.

Renewed interest in old-fashioned skills

Home canning is undergoing a renaissance among a growing number of consumers who want to know what’s in the food they eat. Entries in the home crafts categories at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair exceeded 400, up from last year, said Peter Hohenadel, the fair’s director of agriculture and food. Recent additions to the 92-year-old fair include salsa, heritage pickles and jam plus two youth categories for those under age 18. Western Producer story.

Renfrew event joins local farmers with buyers of local food

A Renfrew-area farming forum has done more than connect farmers with buyers. It also gave farmers ideas on how to improve their farms. The Community Futures Development Corporation and the Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative held the Renfrew County Local Food & Farming Forum on Sept. 16, giving farmers a chance to meet representatives from daycares, schools, municipalities, hospitals, food markets and other food purchasers in an effort to help farmers sell their products locally. Beef and vegetable farmer Marshall Buchanan said there were some great leads for new markets for his food, but he also left the forum with a way to increase productivity. Farmers Forum story.

CK Table Tops In Ontario

A Chatham food tourism event has won a provincial award. CK Table was nominated for tourism event of the year by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Association. The event beat out three other finalists and was announced the winner during last night’s awards banquet in Collingwood. Co-founder of CK Table Paul Spence describes the event as a dinner that features farmers, building dialogue around local food so that consumers and farmers can educate each other and create more conversation about getting local food into restaurants and grocery stores. BlackburnNews.com story.

Artisanal cheese, please

Promoting and encouraging innovative local food projects is one of the priorities assigned to Toronto Beaches-East York MPP Arthur Potts, the parliamentary assistant to the provincial agriculture minister. Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal says in his letter to Potts the parliamentary assistant’s specific responsibilities include promotion and encouraging innovative local food projects “that celebrate the rich diversity of food produced and made in Ontario” and working with ministers and partners to continue engaging with rural stakeholders to deliver effective programs, such as the Rural Economic Development program, and services to rural areas. Better Farming story.

Local food app now available

If you’re interested in eating healthier and adding more local food to your diet, an interdisciplinary team of researchers and partners in London and Kitchener-Waterloo has launched an iPhone app to help. Smart Appetite has been developed collaboratively by the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL) at Western University, the London Training Centre, Brescia University College, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Old East Village Business Improvement Area. “The goal of our app is to remove barriers to finding local and healthy foods, which will help drive the local food economy,” said Jason Gilliland, director of Heal and a professor in Western’s Faculty of Science. Londoner story. University of Western Ontario post.

 

Smart APPetite For Local Food Sources

The makers of a new app hope it will help you source local, healthy food in southwestern Ontario. Western University partnered with several London-area groups and a registered dietician to create Smart APPetite. Social Sciences Professor Jason Gilliland says it responds to a growing trend to work locally grown foods into their diets. Social Sciences Professor Jason Gilliland says the app went through a lot of testing before they took it live. Ontarians currently spent $18-billion a year on food from outside the province. Experts say if everyone shifted $10 of their weekly food budget toward local food, it would create 10,000 new jobs in Ontario. BlackburnNews.com story. The SmartAPPetite app is available for download at www.smartappetite.ca.

The gift of gleaners: Leftovers turned into millions of snacks, soup servings

There’s more slicing and dicing at the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners plant than an old Ginsu knife commercial. Volunteers are chopping apples and squash for dehydrated snacks for kids. But wait. There’s more. With all the dicing and dehydrating done on surplus vegetables since August, the Leamington-based charity is almost ready to start making soup mixes to combat hunger here and overseas. Windsor Star blog.

When will the entire Local Food Act will be proclaimed?

“We shamed you into finally proclaiming the section for increased access to local food through the tax credit for farmers who donate to community food programs, food banks, churches and other groups like that,” Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett told Ag Minister Jeff Leal this morning in the Ontario Legislature. “But you still haven’t proclaimed other parts of the bill. You speak of being open and transparent, but today you should be publishing your first annual report on local food in Ontario. Minister, today is your opportunity to be open and transparent. Why are you saying one thing and doing another?” Toby Barrett, MPP Haldimand-Norfolk post.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Watch growth in the Golden Horseshoe

A 40 second animation shows changes in urban development and protected areas in the Golden Horseshoe from 1945 to 2014. Greenbelt animation.

Local Food News — Ontario

Agri-Food Processing ‘Key Part’ Of Ontario’s Economic Future

Food and Beverage Ontario is endorsing recommendations of a recent report on Canada’s processed food trade deficit. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute report urged the various industry stakeholders to work together to tackle the deficit and become more competitive in the global market. The CAPI report linked the deficit to a decline of investment in the sector. Blackburn News story.

Toronto chef Collin Thornton cooks up win at The Royal

The inaugural Royal International Invitation Chef Challenge served up a big win for a local chef Sunday at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and put a bright spotlight on fresh, local food. Chef Collin Thornton from the Fairmont Royal York stepped up to the plate and claimed top spot in a cooking competition against Aphisith Phongsavanh, Assistant Chef de Cuisine at New York’s Waldorf Astoria and Mike Wehrle, Executive Chef, and Dimitri Fayard, Executive Pastry Chef, at Chicago’s The Peninsula Hotels. A large crowd of excited food lovers took in the competition on The Royal’s new Food and Lifestyle Stage. Michael Bonacini, a judge on CTV’s MasterChef Canada, judged the competition, along with Rita DeMontis, Lifestyle and Food Editor for The Toronto Sun and National Food Editor for Sun Media. Ben Mulroney, anchor of ETALK, CTV’s Number 1-rated entertainment show, and award-winning chef and author Ted Reader co-hosted the event. Canada News Wire post. 

Craft beer industry settles into northeastern Ontario

The craft beer business in northeastern Ontario is gaining a full head of steam as new operations open and existing microbreweries expand. With the demise of Northern Breweries in 2006, beer production largely stopped in northeastern Ontario, but the growing popularity of craft beer is putting the region back on the brewing map. Stack Brewing in Sudbury opened in 2012 and recently purchased a new brewing system to expand its production. CBC News Sudbury story

A cash boost for Ontario Pork’s branding program

Ontario Pork’s ongoing marketing and promotional work got a huge boost Thursday after the provincial government announced funding of up to $2 million for the organization to expand its efforts. Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal made the funding announcement at Queen’s Park in Toronto. He says in a press release the funding for Ontario Pork supports the province’s local food strategy and is helping to make more local food available in Ontario’s schools, cafeterias, markets, grocery stores and restaurants. Since 2003, the provincial government has invested more than $140 million to support sales of Ontario foods. Better Farming story.

Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy

Ontario’s food systems are in crises. Poor nutrition and access to healthy food are important risk factors in the alarming health, economic and social burden of chronic disease in Ontario, while simultaneously farmers and food systems workers are not able to make an adequate income. A comprehensive food and nutrition strategy is needed to address these challenges and to develop healthy, diverse and resilient food systems in Ontario that will contribute to an equitable and prosperous economy. The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy provides the framework to improve the wholistic health and well-being of people in Ontario, reduce the financial burden of chronic disease, and strengthen the economic viability and resiliency of Ontario’s food systems. Strategy.

Bayfield Farmers Market Met First Year Goals

It sounds like the Bayfield’s Farmers Market will be running next year. Market Manager Joan Brady is quite pleased with the community Response to their first year of operation. Vendors set up every Friday on Clangregor Square, from the May 24 weekend to the weekend after Thanksgiving. Brady Explains she had two specific goals when she started the market; that it be producer-based, and that it be community-oriented. She says both of those goals were met. Blackburn News story.

OSCIA survey reveals surprising relationship between farmers and species at risk

In 2013, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) conducted a survey of producers to get a read on attitudes towards species at risk. The process yielded some surprising results; more than half of participants (69%) acknowledged that SAR loss is an issue in Ontario. “First is that they do care about species at risk and are willing to take action where reasonable and practical. Secondly, and it’s no surprise to us, is the result that 86 percent of those surveyed felt the public is unaware of how the presence of SAR effects farming operations. Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association release.

Farmers Want Support, Recognition to Protect Species at Risk

Ontario farmers may be among the best allies for the province’s species at risk, but they say they need financial and moral support to keep it up. Results of a new survey from the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, which administers the Species At Risk Farm Incentive Program on behalf of the province, shows most of the 250 respondents think the lion’s share of environmental conservation responsibility falls on them. And more than 90 per cent think the public is unaware of how species at risk affects farmers. FCC Express story.

2014 Mandate letter: Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Promoting, encouraging and investing in innovative local food projects that celebrate the rich diversity of foods produced and made in Ontario, and which feed local economies and help communities grow. Creating and implementing the new Farms Forever Program. The program will help preserve the productive capacity of agricultural land close to major urban centres, support the local sourcing of food, strengthen Ontario’s agri-food sector and support young farmers. Continuing to work with partner ministers and the agricultural sector to decrease nutrient run-off, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and make our agricultural sector as resilient as possible to climate change. Strengthening pollinator health. Premier’s letter.

Local Food Symposium, February 3 and 4, 2015

Held at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the Lake, the symposium will consist of two full days with site-visits, round table discussions, and keynote speakers. Bringing people together from across the agriculture and food value chain, it will be a great opportunity to learn about some of the interesting and innovative ways more local food is being served in public sector institutions, as well as to discuss some of the challenges we all face and the potential solutions. Website.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret

A feature-length environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet it goes on, almost entirely unchallenged. Website. YouTube trailer.

Local Food News — Ontario

JK: The Jamie Kennedy Cookbook

Canada’s most celebrated chef reveals his food and his story. No chef in Canada is more respected for his devotion to local, seasonal, sustainable gastronomy, and his relentless pursuit to define and celebrate Canada’s unique regional culinary character, than Jamie Kennedy. Kennedy has been at the forefront of Canada’s farm-to-table, slow food and local food movements. In this journey, he has helped to nurture and strengthen the community of like-minded producers, chefs and consumers. Moreover, he has inspired others to join him in following this traditional yet revolutionary philosophy. Harper Collins Canada book description.

 

Workshop On Making The Family Farm Sustainable

The Grey County Chefs’ Forum wants to help make the family farm sustainable. Spokesperson Linda Reader says they’ll be explaining what they’ve done in Grey to link family farm operators with chefs and food retailers. She says the presentation will include hearing from a couple of the farmers and a chef involved in the Forum. Workshop attendees will also be surveyed about what their needs are and whether they’re interested in the kind of exchanges between farmers and chefs and food retailers the forum is facilitating in Grey. Blackburn News story.

 

Local food conference sprouts on campus

As general manager of Hospitality Services, Joli Manson has tried to include more locally and provincially grown ingredients in food options on campus. Her efforts have been so successful that Queen’s now spends 63 per cent of its food dollars on produce from Ontario. To spread the word about the benefits of locally sourced foods, Queen’s is hosting a conference to bring together producers and institutional buyers. Queen’s University post.

 

Grey Food Hub Will Help Smaller Farmers Reach Customers

A new way for smaller farmers in Grey County to market their produce is now up and running. The Grey County Chefs’ Forum has opened what they call the Hub. The Chefs’ Forum was created to directly connect local farmers with chefs in the G-T-A. Coordinator Linda Reader explains the Hub is a location in Flesherton where farmers can drop of their goods which will then be delivered to restaurants. Blackburn News story.

 

Garden expected to yield fruitful results for Agape Centre

A team of volunteers and staff planted 40 more trees at the forest, which is located on the property of Fountaingate Christian Assembly in Cornwall, on Thursday, October 30. The initiative is supported by a grant from the Edible Trees program through Tree Canada. Helping the Agape Centre dig deep to feed the city were six Canada World Youth (CWY) members. The group of 17 young adults from across Vietnam and Canada are spending two months volunteering in Cornwall. Seaway News story.

 

Stop the move to scary food at Hamilton’s St. Peter’s

Halloween witches bearing delicious, good food and rotten, scary food plates will, this Friday, October 31 at 12 noon, join hospital staff mobilizing to keep the in-house kitchen at St. Peter’s cooking. Recently Hamilton Health Sciences announced that the on-site kitchen at St. Peter’s would be closed and patient meals outsourced. But with a focus on seniors’ care and patients with chronic illness, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 7800 says maintaining the in-hospital capacity at St. Peter’s to provide patients with healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals while in hospitals, should be the priority. Canadian Union of Public Employees media advisory.

 

Researching New Ontario Tender Fruit Varieties

It’s an investment intended to help Ontario producers get a bigger market share in the fruit sector. The federal government is investing over 410 thousand dollars to develop new varieties of tender fruits and fresh grapes suited to the province’s soil conditions and climate. The Ontario Tender Fruit Producers Marketing Board will lead that effort. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) is evaluating plum, peach, nectarine and apricot trees from the University of Guelph’s breeding program in terms of superior varieties that meet consumer preferences. Vineland is also scouting the world for fresh grape varieties better-adapted to our local climate. Blackburn News story. Ontario Tender Fruit Producers post.

 

Group Looking For Ways To Certify Small-Scale Organic Farms

A working group is looking into why many small-scale farmers are choosing not to certify their farms as organic. It’s made up of organic consultants and farmers. A survey of farmers across the country got almost 200 responses. A common concern was that a certification process designed for international and national trade doesn’t work well for diversified small farms focused on local markets. Blackburn New story.

 

Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference 2014, December 4-6

In celebration of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario’s (EFAO) 35th Anniversary, we are launching our first annual conference! The conference is presented in partnership with FarmStart along with supporting partners Farms at Work, Everdale and The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security. The vision for this conference aligns with EFAO’s core mandate “to support and promote a vibrant community of ecological farmers through education, training and knowledge sharing.” We expect over 250 ecological growers from across the province and are offering over 30 intermediate and advanced level workshops. Website.

 

Festival of Dangerous Ideas: Food For Thought, November 15

Ideas have the power to change the world… The Festival of Dangerous Ideas: Food For Thought is a dynamic event which will explore our relationship with our food system through the convergence of music, art and conversation. Our day-long festival will examine some ‘dangerous ideas’ about industrial agriculture, genetically modified organisms and the unsustainable nature of our current food system. Throughout the day, speakers will present new ways of thinking that can support the transition towards earth democracy, a just food system, and a world beyond pesticides. After an afternoon of engaging with academics, agricultural activists and NGO moguls, we will gather for a tapas reception and a keynote presented by the revolutionary Dr. Vandana Shiva. At night, we will put on our dancing shoes and enjoy a proper dance party, consisting of local producers and DJs. Website.

 

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

 

The Ecological Hoofprint: The Global Burden of Industrial Agriculture

The great merit of Tony Weis’ excellent The Ecological Hoofprint: The Global Burden of Industrial Agriculture is that it offers a highly readable, tightly-argued structural analysis of the contemporary world food system, predicated as it is on both inequality and inefficiency. The introduction lays out the central argument of the book: that the historically unprecedented and rapidly-expanding ‘meatification’ of diets is not “natural, inevitable or benign” but is integral to a “dominant system of agriculture across the temperate world” in which “the biological and physical foundations of agriculture are being rapidly undermined…in ways that hinge upon the unsustainable use of non-renewable resources”. Canadian Food Studies book review by Tony Weis.

Local Food News — Ontario

Fried maple leaves appear on Canoe restaurant’s menu

Add maple leaves to your list of Canadian foods to eat before you die. That’s right — maple leaves. Picked while green. Pickled and deep-fried. Presented with artisan beets and puffed amaranth bathed in mulled wine vinaigrette. No, this is not a food joke or a headline-grabbing gimmick. It’s quietly happening at Canoe, the much lauded, Canadian-inspired restaurant atop the TD Bank Tower, as part of its Taste Canada series of menus. Maple leaves are part of the Taste Ontario menu. “They’re almost like kale chips,” promises executive chef John Horne. Emphasis on the word “almost.” Toronto Star story.

Ontario Farmland Trust 10th Anniversary Celebration

Enjoy local food, a silent auction, music by Norman Liota, the opportunity to connect with friends of farmland from across the province, and entertainment by humorist and award-winning playwright Dan Needles on: “Land, Community and Lost Sheep.” November 20, 2014, 6:00-10:00 pm. Country Heritage Park (Gambrel Barn), 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton, Ontario. Details.

ECO Wants Local Food Conversation Expanded

Ontario’s Environment Commissioner calls the provincial Local Food Act an important starting point for a much larger conversation. Gord Miller’s recent report suggests increasing the focus on food production as close to market as possible is one part of creating a food system that encourages consumers to make more sustainable choices. But Miller says the test will be whether the Minister of Agriculture seizes the opportunity to establish and implement quantifiable and ambitious targets. Blackburn News story.

Beyond the Fields: The Value of Forest and Freshwater Foods in Northern Ontario

This report stems from that exploration and from the Forest and Freshwater Foods Project, a joint undertaking of Ontario Nature, the True North Community Co-operative, and Environment North. The project aims to gather and share information about forest and freshwater foods and food systems to inform land-use planning, and better protect human and ecosystem health. Forest and freshwater foods—including plants, animals and fungi—are integral parts of forest, aquatic and other ecosystems. Typically harvested without domestication, these foods include moose, deer, caribou, waterfowl, fish, berries, nuts, seeds, wild rice, fiddleheads, mushrooms, and plants used for tea and medicine. This report is rooted in the local food movement, a growing and compelling force in northern Ontario, as it is elsewhere in the province. Ontario Nature report.

Crickets on the menu at Ontario insect farm

An unusual farm outside of Toronto is touting the nutritional value of insects. Darren Goldin of Next Millennium Farms in Campbellford, Ont, started breeding crickets for reptile feed — and then he learned they’re good for people too. He’s since bred about 30 million of them. Insects are relatively common food elsewhere in the world and, according to a recent UN report could be the answer to food sustainability. CBC News story.

New program supports new approaches in northern Ontario farming

You couldn’t call it conventional agriculture, but Trevor and Tracy Laing’s Algoma Highlands Wild Blueberry Farm near Wawa north of Sault Ste. Marie harvested 40,000 lb. of fruit this year. Now in its fifth year of serious production, the Laing operation is among a small group of northern Ontario farmers to make use so far of $290,000 in federal government funding for “Sustainable New Agricultural Products” (SNAP). The program was announced in April and is administered by four economic development agencies in the northern Ontario region. SNAP grants pay up to $5,000 toward the purchase of equipment for further processing of agricultural products and new ventures. Better Farming story.

Eat Local Sudbury working to offer more local food in region

Eat Local Sudbury is in the process of developing a business plan to expand its local food hub to other areas in northeastern Ontario. The new areas to have service include LaCloche-Manitoulin, North Bay, Temiskaming, Muskoka and parts of Algoma. According to Eat Local, a local food hub helps with the collection, storage, processing and distribution of local food. CBC News story.

Building the economy with local food products

The market is far from mature, but its further along than many give it credit for, the county’s tourism director Amanda Ranson says. “There’s all these great little things happening and I wanted everybody talking and to have a plan in place so that more of these businesses come forward and get developed further,” she said. From a tourism perspective, having area food businesses linked together means visitors can seek out unique culinary experiences from foraging for wild edibles to sampling Highlands beer with dinner at local restaurants. Culinary tourism is one part of a three-pillar promotional plan at the county level, which also includes outdoor adventure tourism and arts and culture tourism. Haliburton County Echo story.

Two St. Catharines co-ops win $25,000 in The National Co-op Challenge

The Co-operators announced that Garden City Food Co-operative and Niagara Local Food Co-operative, both of St. Catharines, have each won $25,000 as the Ontario Region winners of The National Co-op Challenge. Garden City Food Co-operative is a grassroots organization providing a fresh approach to food and food shopping in downtown St. Catharines. Niagara Local Food Co-operative brings together agricultural producers and consumers in an online virtual farmer’s market to help farmers distribute to local residents. Exchange Morning Post release.

Saunders Secondary School Goes Local

“Saunders Secondary School Hospitality and Tourism Program in London, Ontario boasts a restaurant called the Underground Cafe.  We make local, seasonal, carefully crafted, scratch made food that we sell and serve to our staff every week. We offer lunches on Thursday, Pizza and Ready Made Meals on Friday and we cater in school and private events.” Ontario Fresh post. Video.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Explore the improved Ontariofresh.ca

With a clean look and enhanced functions, Ontariofresh.ca is making it easier than ever to source and sell local food, Ontario-wide. The updated Ontariofresh.ca homepage is now more streamlined, allowing you search for new business connections right away. Scroll down and browse featured profiles, partners, and the newest Classifieds postings. For seasoned Ontariofresh.ca users, note the Marketplace is now called Classifieds, and can additionally be found on the top navigation of every page. You can also use the top navigation to read up-to-date News and Resources, as well as learn how to Build You Business using the site. At the top of every user’s screen is a blue dashboard helping you navigate your online activity. Edit your profile under “Profiles”, view your postings in “Classifieds”, change your account settings in “My Account”, reply to messages in “Messages”, and check out new business partners in “Connections”. Website.

Local Food News — Ontario

Over 150 Municipal Candidates Declare Support For Food And Farming

Across Ontario, over 150 candidates for municipal councils and school boards are taking part in the Vote ON Food & Farming municipal elections campaign. As part of the campaign, council candidates have responded to surveys crafted by local food champion groups that take a solutions-based approach to issues such as regional economic resilience, farmland preservation, community food access and food literacy. Ontario is full of innovative programs and policies that address these issues, but many need council support to have a deeper impact. Vote On Food post. Candidate responses.

Ontario Farmland Trust 10th Anniversary Celebration

Enjoy local food, a silent auction, music by Norman Liota, the opportunity to connect with friends of farmland from across the province, and entertainment by humorist and award-winning playwright Dan Needles on: “Land, Community and Lost Sheep.” November 20, 2014, 6:00-10:00 pm. Country Heritage Park (Gambrel Barn), 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton, Ontario. Details.

Celebration of Norfolk’s food

What started eight years ago as a photocopied set of pages stapled together, and released every October, is now a classy-looking 128-page collection of recipes from local restaurants and eateries. Each meal or snack is made with local produce and matched with drink from one of our wineries or microbreweries. Apple cheddar scones using Jensen Cheese are served with the Smoke & Gamble cab/merlot reserve from Dover Vineyards. Or how about lavender-flavoured ice cream or maple syrup and nut cheesecake served with a white wine from the Villa Nova Winery? Simcoe Reformer story.

What’s brewing in craft beer? A lot!

October is synonymous with falling leaves, Halloween and – in some corners of the world – beer. But in Windsor, a particular kind of beer has been the talk of the town for months now – craft beer and talk of new craft breweries opening has been swirling. There’s also growing excitement for the second annual Windsor Craft Beer Festival and the first LaSalle Craft Beer Festival. (Just how excited are local beer lovers? The Saturday VIP tickets for the Windsor festival sold out back when it was still warm outside.) Windsor Star blog.

Wellington, Essex Candidates Quizzed On Food Sustainability

Municipal election candidates in Wellington and Essex County are among those who’ve taken part in a Food & Farming survey. The survey asked the candidates about issues like zoning for on-farm processing and value added products and reducing red tape for farm and food enterprises. Organisers say more than 150 municipal candidates responded to the campaigns. Blackburn News story.

Sault & Area To Engage Community To Improve The Local Food System

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) today announced the upcoming Sault & Area Food Summit, to take place on November 21st and 22nd, 2014 in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The goal of the summit is to gather community members in an interactive discussion about the region’s local food system. The Sault & Area Food Summit will kick-off on the evening of Friday, November 21st, with a Harvest Dinner, a locally-sourced meal catered by The Grand Gardens with ingredients from Algoma farms. All proceeds go to the Good Food Box, a service provided by the Soup Kitchen Community Centre that provides a variety of fresh produce to local families at low cost. Wawa News story.

Province launches tax credit for farmers and food banks

Monday September 29th 2014, the Honorable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the Honorable Ted McMeekin and MPP Bob Bailey announced the launch of the new Food Donation Tax Credit for Farmers. This tax credit is the first and only one of its kind in Canada, making this a historic week for farmers, food banks, and the provincial government. Farmers in Ontario are now eligible to claim a 25 per cent tax credit for all agricultural product that they donate to the province’s community food banks. “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy local food, and we applaud the Ontario government for introducing a tax credit that will encourage more farmers to make that food available to families and individuals who need it most,” says Bill Laidlaw, Executive Director at the Ontario Association of Food Banks. The Morrisburg Leader story.

More Fresh Local Food For Northern Ontario

A new project from Eat Local Sudbury will move forward with the next step to providing more local food to those in northern Ontario. With support from the Greenbelt Fund and funding from the Ontario government, Eat Local Sudbury will create a business plan expanding their local food hub to include LaCloche-Manitoulin, North Bay, Temiskaming, Muskoka, and parts of Algoma. A local food hub helps with the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of local food, making them more available to the people of Sudbury and the surrounding areas. This project builds on a study already completed by Eat Local Sudbury that examined the feasibility of covering these additional regions. Ontariofresh.ca post.

Agriculture Support Boosts Thunder Bay Economy

“The agricultural community is a large employer and a significant part of the economy of my riding of Thunder Bay-Atikokan.  Local food and food security are becoming increasingly important to people.  This investment is consistent with the Local Food Act introduced by our government last year, and is another example of our recognition of the importance of family farming and local agricultural production,”stated Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. With $403,000 support of the agriculture sector from the province’s NOHFC, Walter and Joanne Schep of Thunder Oak Cheese Farm are able to relocate and expand their cheese manufacturing facility in Neebing, Ontario.  The funds will be used to build a new 6,000 square foot plant with upgrades to the cheese manufacturing equipment.  The plans include an on-site retail operation. Net Newsledger story.

Looking for the tastiest dishes that Ontario has to offer

Ted Reader, also known as “Godfather of the Grill” will be hosting the Royal Chef Challenge in several parts of Ontario. The competition will travel through several fairs, with each fair producing a winner for the final event. The finale will be held November16, 2016 to determine which city representative crafted a dish fit for royalty. Farms.com story.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

What Happens When Second Graders Are Treated to a Seven-Course, $220 Tasting Meal

One Saturday afternoon last month, six second graders from P.S. 295 in Brooklyn got a head start on the fine-dining life when they visited the acclaimed French restaurant Daniel. There, five waiters presented them with a seven-course tasting menu (after the trio of canapés and an amuse-bouche, naturellement). The meal was overseen by the star chef and eponym himself, Daniel Boulud, whose goal was, he says, “for the children to really discover a lot of flavor, a lot of layers, a lot of texture.” New York Times Magazine story. Video.

Local Food News — Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Stop the Pickering Airport!

In 1972 the federal government expropriated 18,600 acres (7,500 ha) of prime farmland and pristine watersheds east of Toronto for a Pickering International Airport, claiming urgent need. The airport was never built, still isn’t needed 42 years later, and may never be needed. Yet out of the blue, in 2013, Ottawa announced a (slightly smaller) Pickering Airport scheme. The new plans for an airport and adjacent “economic development” would destroy 13,600 acres (5,500 ha) of best-quality farmland and important wildlife habitat. Change.org petition.

Who Are The Young Agrarians?

Young Agrarians is a grassroots initiative made up of agriculturalists and media conspirators intent on growing food sustainably. Inspired by The Greenhorns to build a network Canada-side to celebrate, connect and recruit young farmers – the Young Agrarians are the movers and shakers of a new agrarian movement: young agriculturalists, farmers, urban farmers, market and community gardeners, community groups and academics, organizations and the public who want to ecologically rebuild, promote and inspire the agriculture of our country. We are using the power of media and the internet, and bringing people together in real time- to build community and grow ‘good, clean, and fair’ food. Website. Muskoka Mixer, October 18-19 registration. Eastern Ontario Mixer, October 25-26 registration.

City Failing to Harvest Potential of Green Roofs

When Toronto first started formulating its green roof bylaw in 2006, the idea of urban agriculture had barely arrived in the city. Bylaw writers focussed their regulations on soaking up storm water and softening the urban heat island effect. Side benefits included conserving energy, cleaning the air, and increasing biodiversity. But it hardly crossed the minds of bylaw writers that green roofs might do double duty as urban farms. But the roof still has to meet the bylaw’s construction rules. The one requiring that plants cover 80 per cent of a green roof by the third year effectively prohibits most food plants, the majority of which live only one season. Toronotist story.

From the Ground Up: Supporting Municipalities to Buy Local

Sustain Ontario, the alliance for healthy food and farming, has received a grant of $50,000 to work alongside the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Bruce County, and Durham Region in establishing local food procurement plans. With over 80 member organizations and businesses and counting, the Sustain Ontario alliance works to transform Ontario’s food systems into one that is healthy, ecological, equitable and financially viable. Sustain Ontario post.

rare’s Springbank Community Garden

Springbank Community Garden is located on rare’s 900+ acre nature reserve in Cambridge Ontario and has more than 100 garden plots available to the community. In addition to individually rented plots they also have Demonstration, Education and Food Bank gardens. Thanks to the federal New Horizons for Seniors grant program, the Food Bank gardens have been made more accessible to senior volunteers by providing more ergonomic tools and proper transportation up to the garden. The Food Bank plots are called the Community Roots Food Bank Garden and have helped to create an even larger sense of community with volunteers from the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, Conestoga College, local high schools and local church groups. Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable post.

Feeding Halton More Fresh, Local Food

A new project from Halton Fresh Food Box will provide even more opportunities for farms in Halton to bring more local produce to the community with the Feeding Halton project. With support from the Greenbelt Fund and funding from the Ontario government, Halton Fresh Food Box, working with collaborating partners to create Feeding Halton, will look for opportunities within the Region of Halton to create a local food hub. A local food hub will help with the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of local food and products, making them more available to the people of Halton. Collectively, Feeding Halton’s member programs serve more than 40,000 clients each month in the Region. This project builds on work done by the Region to identify what foods are grown locally. Greenbelt Fund release.

Agriculture by the Numbers: Understanding the Greenbelt’s Unique Advantages

The report outlines changes in agriculture over time in the Greenbelt, compared to the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Ontario. Using data from Statistics Canada’s 2001, 2006, and 2011 Census of Agriculture, the paper looks at key variables such as number of farms, area farmed, use of farmland, production levels, and farm revenue. Greenbelt report.

New Food For Thought For Bruce County Farmers, October 16

For the two years of its operation, the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens has been test-cropping eggplant and okra to see how it grows in Bruce County, under natural conditions, and using only organic principles. Now it is time to share the experience and open the door to a new marketplace for interested farmers in the region. Dr. Michael Brownbridge of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre will be presenting information on their organization’s work on world crop research.  He will share the background of the project, new market opportunities, successes experienced by farmers in the World Food Crop program, various growing techniques and best practices, and how to access a studied marketplace. Details.

Breaking Ground: Halton Food Summit, November 6

Join the Halton Food Council on Thursday, November 6, 8:00 – 1:00 p.m., to hear from a panel of farmers, policymakers, community groups, and grocers as they share their stories about the opportunities and challenges to build a more resilient local food system. Share your story and help shape the future of food in Halton. Together we can create a shared table with room for all! Sustain Ontario post.

Healthy Soil, Water Quality Not Incompatible

A Water Resource Technologist with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority told his board members recently his research demonstrated that healthy soil and water quality are not incompatible. Ross Wilson explains his work on water quality started on the shoreline because that’s where water quality issues show up. But he gradually worked inland along streams and rivers and eventually to fields because that’s water quality issues originate. What he found was that the healthiest fields that produce the best yields also pose the least threats to water quality. Blackburn News story.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

 

#foodcrisis graphic novel sneak peak!

Evan Fraser has been hard at work developing a graphic novel about the global food system.  One of the major inspirations for this story comes from the “food crisis” of 2008-2012 (this is referred to at the start of page 3 in the text box that opens the scene). The trouble began in early 2008 when food prices shot up and around the world angry crowds gathered, protesting an unfair food system that allow some to profit while others go hungry. Protestors raised French baguettes into the air as a symbol of their oppression and the government in Haiti fell. From South America to Southeast Asia people died, cars were burned, marketplaces looted, and armies were called in. Feeding 9 billion post. Sneak peak.

Local Food News — Ontario

Non-profit Agriculture and Food Hub in the Rouge National Urban Park

Group preparing a response to the Draft Management Plan. Their vision for this Hub includes sustainable poly-cultural demonstration farms that help conserve our natural agricultural heritage and encourage Canadians to gain a better understanding and respect for food, farming and ecology. The Agriculture Hub will provide education, offer engaging farm experiences, help support a vibrant farming community in the Park, and promote the long term use and preservation of the land. This Discovery Hub will actively connect the future with the past, the city with the farm, and personal with communal well-being. Rouge National Urban Park draft management plan comment invitation. See Agri-Food Hub website for ideas for completing the Parks Canada Survey.

Project SOIL Webinar, October 22

Project SOIL is a three-year feasibility study that explores the potential of on-site food production at public health care and educational institutions in Ontario.  This webinar will share how project partners at health care, social service and educational institutions went about getting gardens off the ground at their institutions, as well as some of the lessons we learned in the first year of working with pilot projects across the province. Project SOIL post.

Ontario’s Top 10 Instagrammin’ Artisans

There’s no doubt about it, Instagram was made for pictures of food. Sweet, savoury, breakfast, lunch, dinner – basically any dish under the sun can be shared on the social media platform. With food photography becoming more and more accessible, it seemed apropos to feature some of Ontario’s talented local artisans. Follow these 10 artisanal producers on Instagram for a mouthwatering insta-feed. But beware, these inspired images will be sure to make you hungry! Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance post.

Sick Kids café transformed with fresh, local food

It may look and taste like a roti from any one of this city’s many Caribbean takeout joints: firm, flavourful chicken, well-spiced potatoes, a hearty wrap and throat-tickling mango chutney. But this $7.65 lunch comes with a few surprises. First, it’s hospital food. Second, it’s fresh, not processed. Third, the ingredients are all local. The chicken’s from a farm near Bradford, Ont. The bread was made by Norman Sue Bakery in Scarborough. As was the mango chutney. And the potatoes come from Essex County in southwestern Ontario. Toronto Star story.

Eat Local considers importing some veggies and fruit

Shoppers at Eat Local Sudbury, a grocery store and food co-operative, could soon be able to purchase organic bananas and limes, at the store that has traditionally sold only locally produced foods. Eat Local’s 700 members have until Saturday to vote on whether or not the grocery store, located at 176 Larch St., should carry food from organic and fair trade sources from outside Canada. Northern Life story.

Mediaplanet’s “Our Food” Campaign Bites into the Juiciest Topics Surrounding the Provincial Sustainable Food Sector

The publication features an exclusive Mediaplanet interview with food celebrity Chef Michael Smith. Smith opens up to readers about his culinary heroes and food inspiration, as well as his perspective on the future of culinary arts in Canada. He states that, as Canadians, “we are past the head-scratching wonderment of discovering our own culinary identity and well into celebrating it.” Special editorial from Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Jeff Leal, showcases the economic advantages of local food sourcing while Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association, Matthew Holmes, explores the effects of our ‘food print’ on the environment. Digital Journal post.

Cities feed cities

Mark Cullen looks at tips from U.K. for growing hyper-local food. If growing food on your balcony, rooftop or in your yard interests you, I have no doubt that you will be interested in what the British have to teach us. During my recent tour of great public British gardens with my daughter Heather, we discovered some nifty techniques for food gardening that I would like to share. Brant News post.

Celebrating the Abundance of Local Foods in the Golden Horseshoe

Welcome to Edible Toronto, our region’s quarterly print magazine dedicated to showcasing and promoting our local foodshed and its healthy, safe and sustainable future. Edible Toronto’s mission is to promote the future by focusing on a return to the past, when most of the foods we consumed were locally grown and produced; when we never ate asparagus, strawberries, peaches and plums in the wintertime because they simply weren’t available. We were overjoyed to dig into the first asparagus of the season, and to bite into those juicy, sweet, freshly picked Ontario peaches. Website.

Fall Season Extension, October 25

In 2013 we visited Drumlin Farm, and were so impressed by all the different growing techniques they are trying, and the new movable greenhouses they had just installed, we wanted to go back! Drumlin Farm runs a market garden featuring many heirloom varieties of vegetables, and micro greens which they sell through a CSA program, and at local markets. They also raise Chantecler chickens, for their beautiful eggs, and meat. FarmStart post.

Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference, November 24-25

A decade ago, critics said that a growing consumer interest in local food would never be more than a small niche in the agricultural economy. Today, we see more and more organizations recognizing the power of local food in their communities. That’s why this year’s theme for the Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference is “Local Food: Niche to Mainstream”. The program will be focused on tools needed to manage growth to create a sustainable local food system. As always, the topics presented will provide participants with best practices, tools and resources, and contacts for potential collaborations. A lively trade show and a local food tour will again be a part of this year’s conference. Sustain Ontario post

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Thailand creates taste-testing robot to authenticate cuisine

Hopscotching the globe as Thailand’s prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra repeatedly encountered a distressing problem: bad Thai food. Too often, she found, the meals she sampled at Thai restaurants abroad were unworthy of the name, too bland to be called genuine Thai cooking. The problem bothered her enough to raise it at a cabinet meeting. Her political party has since been thrown out of office, in a May military coup, but her initiative in culinary diplomacy lives on. At a gala dinner at a ritzy Bangkok hotel, the government unveiled its project to standardize the art of Thai food – with a robot. The Globe and Mail story.

Local Food News — Ontario

Farmer for a Day

Are you curious about what goes on before food reaches store shelves? Learn something new while giving back to your community with USC Canada’s Volunteer Farm Days. It’s simple – join a small group of volunteers at an organic farm near you, meet the farmer and roll up your sleeves. There’s no better way to learn about your food than working alongside the folks who grow it. Participation is free but you must: attend a 30 minute over-the-phone orientation before your volunteer session;  provide your own transportation, lunch and gardening gloves and be able to stay for the full time period indicated. USC Canada post.

Students sell Ontario vegetables and fruit: Unique fundraiser enters year two

Students from over 900 schools in 19 Ontario school boards are going door-to-door this month selling bundles of fresh Ontario root vegetables and fruit to raise money for their schools. The sales kick-off marks year two of the Fresh From the Farm pilot program. Last year, elementary and secondary schools raised over $53,000 and delivered more than 120,000 pounds of produce during the program’s inaugural year. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association news release.

Ontario Natural Food Co-op Rebuilding the Middle of Ontario’s Food System

The Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC) is the host and incubator of the Local Organic Food Co-ops Network.  Randy Whitteker, General Manager, describes the important role the co-op is playing in creating a sustainable food system within Ontario, saying, “The question of sustainability goes beyond how the food is grown – which can be addressed by things like organic certification – and it also has a lot to do with how goods get to market. This has us evaluating how to decentralize delivery systems. Local Organic Food Co-ops Network post.

YMCA farm camp teaches campers to grow their own food

The junior farmers were participants of the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s first-ever farm camp – a week long farming intensive at the YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre. Cedar Glen, a 263 acre YMCA property located in the Oak Ridges Moraine, is the site of dozens of YMCA day and sleepway camps. Last year, with the help of farm-based organization Everdale, Ceder Glen set up its very own farm. And this first summer they invited campers to spend a week figuring out how it all works. Young Street Media story.

The Sustainable New Agricultural Products (SNAP) Program

In Northern Ontario, many agriculture and food producers or businesses have difficulty funding equipment purchases for value-added processing. The Sustainable New Agri-Food Products (SNAP) Program is a pilot for Northern Ontario agriculture and food producers, businesses and collaborations, which will provide up to $5,000 (per collaborator, to a maximum of $15,000) at 80% cost-share toward the purchase of processing equipment that would result in the creation of a food or agriculture product new to the business. The SNAP Program is administrated by the Rural Agri-Innovation Network in collaboration with Clover Valley Farmers’ Market, Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative and the Northeast Community Network. Eat Local Sudbury post.

Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op Community Greenhouse

Our new online farmers’ market is supplying fresh local foods to our community all year. Now we need help creating a space to attract & teach new farmers! This campaign started on May 24 and closed on July 23, 2014. $10,845CAD RAISED OF $10,000 GOAL 108%. Indiegogo Crowd funding campaign.

The Farm Planner

Registration for the 2014/2015 course is now open. Each full-day session will: * Take you one step closer to having a complete plan. * Feature guest farmers and experts sharing their experiences as well as providing you with advice and guidance. * Have sections of formal instruction, group discussion, time to work on your plan, and networking opportunities. * Help you build networks of both experienced farmers and peers. * Opportunities to have your plan reviewed and commented on by expert farmers. Everdale post. Detailed session descriptions.

McVean Farm Picnic, Sunday, September 14

At our annual McVean Farm picnic fundraiser, we have something for everyone – families, groups of friends, solo adventurers, keen cyclists, experienced and beginner farmers, gardeners, food lovers, market customers, and our supporters. Bring picnic blankets, sun hats, kites, and your appetites – and enjoy the farm. Funds raised this year go to the Greenhouse Project. Details. McVean Farm.

Fall Wellington Rural Romp, September 27

The Wellington Rural Romp is your chance to get up close to your food. Experience a day in the countryside, meet local farmers, eat, learn about food and experience agriculture’s bounty. At each location, you will find farmers and business owners who are passionate about bringing real taste and local food to you. Details.

The Rodeo’s Come To Town, September 27

Round up your friends for a rootin’ tootin’ good time on Saturday, September 27th at the inaugural Evergreen Urban Rodeo & BBQ fundraiser! Hold on to your hat as you take a ride on the mechanical bull, try your luck at some classic carnival games, do-si-do to live music and of course, Feast ON some seriously delicious, locally sourced southern-inspired BBQ prepared by Ontario’s top chefs. Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance post.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Strawberry Gin 375ml

A traditional dry gin infused with local strawberries and botanicals, then lightly sweetened. Excellent as an aperitif or in cocktails. The base for this spirit is our 100% Ontario Rye based Dry Gin 7 that is infused with local strawberries, botanicals and the smallest amount of turbinado sugar. There’s only 200 bottles. Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers post.

The Awful Reign of the Red Delicious

At the supermarket near his home in central Virginia, Tom Burford likes to loiter by the display of Red Delicious. He waits until he spots a store manager. Then he picks up one of the glossy apples and, with a flourish, scrapes his fingernail into the wax: T-O-M. “We can’t sell that now,” the manager protests. To which Burford replies, in his soft Piedmont drawl: “That’s my point.” The Atlantic story.

Local Food News — Ontario

“What do you do about bugs?” (More Profitable Market Gardening)

The usual first question Market Gardeners are asked is “What do you do about bugs?” My usual reply is “They’re no longer a problem.” I long ago learned that pests are not here to bug us; they are there to fix a problem so the ecosystem can carry on as God designed it to. If I choose to not have the insect (or disease), I must then assume that insect’s job. (So I had better know the insect’s purpose before killing it.) From observation and research I learned that sucking insects are removing nitrates from the leaves that came from excess nitrogen in the soil. The solution is to reduce nitrogen fertilizer or leach it from the soil with lots of water. David Cohlmeyer, Sustainable Good food consultant, July 2014 newsletter.

Cook Local Recipe Challenge

Do you have what it takes to create an award winning local dish? Submit your original local recipe and story with a suggested Prince Edward County wine pairing and see if the judges think its worth a spot in the Finalists Cook Off in Kingston, Ontario on Saturday, October 25th, 2014. Metroland Kingston Region post.

Opportunities for Innovation: A Student Nutrition Program Pilot Project in Windsor-Essex

Documentation of the pilot initiative and how the partnership between the the  VON  (both  its School Nutrition and Meals on Wheels programs), the Greater Essex  County  District  School Board, the Unemployed Help Centre, and the UHC-¬based  Plentiful  Harvest  food rescue program and community kitchen continues to build a vibrant multi-faceted program in the Windsor-Essex region. Ontario Edible Education Network report.

Campers donate homemade soup to Yellow Brick House women’s shelter

Nine to 12-year-olds from across the GTA gathered at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre last week to learn how to plant, weed and harvest veggies. The YMCA summer farm camp, with the support of farm-based organization Everdale, also showed the 20 children from Caledon, Brampton, North York, Vaughan, and Newmarket the value of growing organic food, said organizers. Caledon Enterprise story.

Growing the Food System within the Headwaters Region

The following report identifies the barriers and challenges faced by those working in the local food system in order to find solutions that will help the Headwaters Region establish a local, viable food system, enhance local food security, and develop local economies. As we learned throughout the course of our research, the interest and determination in strengthening the food network, in terms of a desire to eat locally grown food, supporting local producers, economies and the environment, and improving food security is highly valued by residents within the Headwaters Region. Headwaters Food & Farming Alliance report.

How Food is Changing Lives at the Local Community Food Centre

Improving lives one meal at a time was the invisible message in the smiles of community meal attendees at Stratford’s, The Local Community Food Centre. Before, during and after community meal events, I sat with numerous attendees to hear perspectives on how The Local CFC has changed their life. The following themes popped out of the conversations; knowledge, caring staff, role-modeling, resources, peer-support, community, service, hope. Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable post.

Are you ready to transition into farming?

2015 Season applications to the McVean Farm (Brampton) and Earth To Table Farm (Flamborough) are now being accepted. Through our two Start-Up Farms we work  ‘on the ground’ with new farmers to provide critical support including access to land, infrastructure, and equipment as well as technical training, business planning skills development, and mentorship during the first 6 years of your enterprise start-up. Contact FarmStart ian@farmstart.ca. Farms.

Urban Fruit Trees – Researching and Sourcing Your Tree, September 14

September is the best time to order your fruit tree for an early spring delivery. But how do you research, source and buy a fruit tree that will thrive in your unique conditions? Join Susan Poizner of fruit-tree consulting company Orchard People as she takes you through the process of evaluating your site and exploring pollination requirements, and teaches the basics of root stock properties, harvest times, disease resistance and more. Details.

ALUS Norfolk 9th Annual Tour

The 125 attendees learned about riparian restoration, wetland creation, tall grass prairie establishment and agricultural business enhancement. Chris Van Paassen, the ALUS Norfolk PAC Chair observed that it was the most diverse group that we have seen in some time. The group had the opportunity to learn about riparian restoration, wetland creation, tall grass prairie establishment and agricultural business enhancement. ALUS September Enewsletter. Photo gallery.

Rouge National Park: a place for nature — and farmers?

As Toronto grows larger and denser, it needs a bigger backyard. That was the idea, at least, behind this year’s announcement of the creation of Rouge National Urban Park — 14,000 acres of protected green space on the doorstep of millions of Torontonians. But as the future park takes shape, it’s becoming clear that more than half of it will be closed to the public. Parks Canada planning documents show the Rouge National Urban Park, at least initially, will be at least 60 per cent farmland, leased to private farmers and shut off from visitors. “Why create a national park if people won’t be able to enjoy it?” wonders Jim Robb, general manager of Friends of the Rouge Watershed. Toronto Star story.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME

Agri-technologies: what the public say (UK)

Mostly there is support for new agri-technologies, especially when they are framed as addressing specific societal needs. The public need to have adequate anticipatory regulation and monitoring in place. Concerns about “unnaturalness” of technologies are common including uncertainty of long term health and environmental consequences, decrease of human contact with increased use of robotics, landscape changes and the perception that local/national and free range/ organic products are better quality, better for the environment and promote social equity. The lack of confidence in industry to care for wider societal needs is widespread. RuSource Briefing Paper 2034.