Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: October 28, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
Students lack healthy food options
Canada is the only westernized nation without a national, federally funded school food program, and students are paying the price. Creating a national school food program could address multiple problems facing Canada’s youth, from soaring obesity rates to poverty and even to learning challenges. In the past 25 years, the number of overweight and obese Canadian youth has doubled. School life subjects children to a minefield of toxic food – pop from vending machines, fast food in cafeterias, and assorted junk at nearby pizzerias, burger joints and convenience stores. Toronto Star story.
Agriculture minister will help organic turkey producers
In the wake of public outcry, protests from farmers and a Saturday Star article about their plight, Ontario’s minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has stepped up efforts to protect organic turkey producers. The office of Leona Dombrowsky said this week she was taking action to eradicate a Catch-22 that put Ontario organic turkey in jeopardy. Toronto Star story.
Regional Locavore News Stories
Distribution next local food hurdle
Local food was in the spotlight at a recent field to fork feast in Durham. The event, held at the Durham town hall Sunday, had customers circling around many tables tasting local food prepared by chefs, cooks and caterers. One of the samples was trout burgers infused with cream cheese, pickled onions and sprouts, served with Maclean’s local ale from Neustadt, with the food prepared by Chef Peter Rowan from Bierman’s Pub and Grill in Chesley. Owen Sound Sun Times story
Niagara College Teaching Winery picks up silver, bronze at wine awards
The Niagara College Teaching Winery continues to sit at the head of the class after winning five medals at the recent InterVin International Wine Awards. The winery received silver for its 2007 Dean’s List Pinot Noir, which garnered 1st place at this year’s Cuvee Awards. Its 2007 Dean’s List Chardonnay, 2007 College Rose, 2007 Merlot and 2008 Cabernet Franc Icewine each scored bronze at InterVin. The InterVin International Wine Awards recognize the best wines available to Canadian consumers. The wines are evaluated by judges doing blind tasting. Judges include industry professionals with backgrounds in hospitality, wine media, wine education and wine making. St. Catharines Standard story.
Farmers want more Lansdowne space
Ottawa Farmers’ Market operators say they can attract more than 1 million visitors by 2015, but not if current development plans go ahead at Lansdowne Park. Operators eventually want the popular market to stay open year round and say it’s possible if they are provided enough room at Lansdowne Park, including being allowed to use the Aberdeen Pavilion for vendors. Participating vendors — who promote local produce — are currently only permitted to set up shop in the parking lot north of the historic Cattle Castle. Ottawa Sun story.
Local Stores Win Awards for Promoting Local Food
Grocery stores in Hanover, Mildmay, Dundalk and Listowel have received Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards. The awards go to stores for their promotion of fresh Ontario food. Food Basics in Hanover and Stewart’s Town and Country Market in Mildmay won Platinum, All Seasons awards. The Dundalk Foodland store won a gold in the Seasonal category. And the Listowel Food Basics store picked up a silver award. 59 Ontario grocery retailers were recognised with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards this year. CKNX Wingham Radio AM 920 story (fourth item)
Greenbelt grants aimed at farmers
Groups promoting greenbelt farms and food received $1.6 million in grants from a not-for-profit foundation Wednesday. The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, an arm’s length agency funded by the provincial government, gives out annual grants to promote food, the environment and innovation in Ontario’s greenbelt — 1.8 million acres of protected countryside stretching from Northumberland County to the Niagara River. Most of the cash is designed to pump up greenbelt agriculture and tourism, which should provide plenty of opportunities for Niagara farmers, foundation president Burkhard Mausberg said. St. Catharines Standard story.
Huron-Perth Local Food Project Gets Provincial Funding
A provincial boost for a Huron-Perth program marketing locally produced and locally processed food. The province is contributing 50 thousand dollars to the Huron-Perth Farm To Table Opportunities Project. Huron Business Development Corporation Manager Paul Nichol says that will be matched by local funding. Nichol says the program will work on expanding markets for local farmers as well as adding value. . CKNX Wingham Radio AM 920 story (fourth item)
Local Food and VQA Wine at the Royal Winter Fair
It’s more than just big pumpkins and horse shows: the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (November 6 to 15) seems to be aligning itself with the growing interest in local food and especially local wine. For the first time, organizers are promising that all foods served at the event’s five restaurants (except coffee and spices) will be sourced locally. VQA wines and Ontario beers will also be available. EatLocallyBlogGlobally blog. (Toronto)
Hart House wraps up world food week
During Hart House’s World Food Week from October 16 to 23, students and community members were invited to think critically about food and our relationship with it through a series of tastings, workshops, panel discussions and lectures. The week began on World Food Day with “Home is Where the Fork Is,†a free tasting of local foods at the Wilson Hall Lounge at U of T’s New College. The tasting aimed to encourage participants to try local food as well as to discover the benefits of being a locavore — one who eats locally grown foods. Medium Online blog. (University of Toronto)
Norfolk County will sample and sell local food at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Participating Norfolk County Agriculture Partners are working together to promote, sample and sell Norfolk County foods at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, November 6 to 15. Among the foods of Norfolk County’s Agriculture Partners at the Royal Winter Fair will be British Baked Goods breads and pastries, Cider Keg sparkling apple ciders and preserves, Country Herbs, Kernal Peanuts products, Nature’s Way Organics including popping corn, Pristine Gourmet Oils, Purple Daze Lavender products, and Stonkus Apiaries’ honey. Norfolk County news release.
Agriculture Hits the Trails
AGCare (Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment), a Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation grantee, unveiled the first of approximately 80 informational signs along trails in the Greenbelt surrounding the GTA. AGCare and other project partners developed a series of six colourful interpretive signs showcasing environmental achievements made by farmers. These signs are being installed along hiking trails across the Greenbelt in Ontario. Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation October Newsletter.