Think Local At The Market And Lessen Your Ecofootprint

Whenever possible, the most environmentally effective choice you can make at the produce counter is to buy local goods. Between the energy and emissions required for transportation, and the pesticides and preservatives often applied to maintain freshness, the apple grown in Ontario leaves a smaller ecological footprint getting to a your kitchen table than one grown in New Zealand, or even in Washington state.

Beyond the environmental impact, it tastes better. Food grown in your region was probably picked in the last few days. Produce flown in from California or overseas has changed ownership three times, traveled more than 4,000 km and is more than a week old. Buying local farm products from

Ontario is a vote for sustainable farming communities from Windsor to Thunder Bay and all points in between. Every dollar we spend is an opportunity to add momentum to revive the local farm industry.

Today the number of farms in Ontario that produce food for the market place is down 43% from 1949.  Land is being converted to housing or to farms that only produce grains for the fuel industry, which has devastated the Farming industry. Buying local will show the there is still a market for the small town farming.

So when you go to the market keep in mind that every dollar you spend has a direct impact on someone’s life.  I am sure that there is someone you know who has grown up on a farm; I am from rural Nova Scotia and have seen firsthand how buying local products benefits our region. Please step forward and help preserve a part of our history by keeping farm life alive in Ontario.