With the week-long Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival happening from September 18 to 26, the focus of this month’s Web Watch is on local food…
Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival - www.savourstratford.com
The Festival begins on September 18 with the annual Garlic Festival (click on Stratford Garlic Festival) and will include tastings, barbecues, dinners, markets, edible tours, and more – find the details on this website. There’s even a photography exhibition. Children are invited to participate in some special activities on Saturday September 25 at the Children’s Tent (afternoon) … Stratford Public Library will be there!
Perth and Huron Foods and Food Products - http://www.visitperth.ca/producers.php
This website offers a comprehensive database of food producers in Perth and Huron Counties, searchable by product or producer. From arugula and bison to yogurt and zucchinis, there’s so much you can find so much close to home! Vegetables, fruit, meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, herbs maple syrup and baked goods are included. Also included is a link to Perth Co and Huron Co.’s “Buy Local – Buy Fresh” map, which can be viewed or downloaded.
Community Supported Agriculture Ontario - http://csafarms.ca
Here’s one way to enjoy an abundance of locally-produced produce next summer without growing it yourself: sign up with a local CSA farm! Search the directory for a local CSA farm; the CSA website also includes a handy vegetable availability chart. Not only is local food much fresher than food which has been transported for long distances to your supermarket, local food from a CSA farm is likely safer too!
The 2010 Stratford Culinary Guide - http://www.welcometostratford.com/culinaryguide2010/
Search the 48-page Stratford Culinary Guide to local restaurants, many of which feature locally-produced food and food products.
Slow Food Perth County Convivium - http://www.slowfoodperthcounty.ca/
One focus of the Slow Food Movement is the use of locally-grown and locally-produced foods. The Slow Food Perth County Convivium seeks to connect producers and with consumers – and therefore, the Convivium has organized the Slow Food Market, which runs each Sunday until October 2010 – find the details here.
Food Link - http://www.foodlink.ca/index.php?p=local_food_101
Food Link is the Waterloo Region’s local food website, listing producers of local food and lots of recipes which use local foods, as well as information about general food safety, preparation, nutrition and health. “Local Food 101” is a handy guide to food facts such as the difference between “organic” and “natural”, and between “free range eggs” and “free run hens”. The “Local Harvest” newsletter is also available here.
Ontario’s Farmers’ Markets - http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/
One of the best places to find local food is, of course, your local farmers’ market. The St Marys, Mitchell and Stratford Farmers Markets are among those listed on the Ontario Farmers’ Market website; click on the link for further details about each.
The Sustainable Table - http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/eatlocal/
What are the issues associated with local and sustainable food … what exactly is “local food”; what is “sustainable food” … and what is a “locavore”? Why is it so advantageous to eat locally-produced food? (Although it’s an American website, The Sustainable Table is worth viewing.)
Ontario Farms - http://ontariofarmfresh.com/
Get fresh … visit a farm! Did you know that there are approximately 50,000 farms in Ontario? Ontariofarmfresh has a database of farms which invite the whole family to visit. Search by specific farm name, location or specific product. This website also has a virtual barn, colouring activities for children, and recipes featuring Ontario foods.
Another searchable database for Ontario farm products is available at: http://www.livinglocal.ca/ontario.html
Sustain Ontario - http://sustainontario.com/
Sustain Ontario is a province-wide organization which promotes healthy food and healthy, sustainable agriculture. Its website includes links to many other food websites and to the Sustain Ontario Newsletter. Sustain Ontario is also concerned with an improved food system in the province – one which is viable, fair, efficient - and based on local food sources. The website includes a link to the Metcalf Charitable Foundation, which has studied Ontario’s food distribution system and released, in June 2010, five “Metcalf Food Solutions’ reports suggestions changes about how we think about, produce and consume food. (Please see www.metcalffoundation.com )
