Dr. Lisa Watson

Eating Local in Ontario

There are many virtues to eating local foods.  The 100 Mile Diet lists the following reasons for eating local:

• Better taste – local foods are picked when they are ripe and come to you fresh and full of nutrients and flavour.
• Know what you’re eating – local farmers are able to provide you with information on what chemicals (or better yet – lack of chemicals!) are used on their foods.
• Environmentally friendly – a local diet consumes approximately 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country.
• Support small farms and farmers – local farmers markets bring to us local foods from local farmers.  Support the people who work hard to bring us healthy foods by working the land.

Eating local is easier when you know the harvest times for your favourite fruits and vegetables!  Keep this chart handy and you’ll be able to take advantage of the freshest local foods available at your local farmers markets and grocery stores.

Local farmers’ markets in Ontario can be found online at Farmers Market Ontario.  My favourite farmers’ markets are the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto  and the St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market in St. Jacob’s Ontario (it’s worth the drive!)

What are your favourite farmers’ markets?