The future of food
Posted: April 15, 2010
Categories: News from Sustain Members / News from Sustain Ontario
Farmers, retailers and restaurants join the cause
Article from The Hamilton Spectator featuring Lori Stahlbrand of Local Food Plus, Member of Sustain Ontario
Lori Stahlbrand’s energy and optimism outshine the gloom of statistics she is determined to change. The hurdles of disappearing farmland, peak oil, and the disenfranchisement of farmers seem undaunting after a conversation with the creator of Local Food Plus.
“We’re run off of our feet with interest and inquiries,” she says. “It really buoys you up.”
The nonprofit organization, based in Toronto, works as a kind of matchmaker, helping to establish relationships between farmers and the institutions, food retailers and restaurants nearby that want to support them. Local Food Plus sets standards for everything from animal welfare, labour practices, soil and water conservation to the distance that the food has to travel from field to plate.
Close to 200 farmers have signed on since the organization began five years ago, along with about 80 food outlets and the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.
“The town of Markham was the first municipality to be certified,” says Stahlbrand. “They felt very strongly that just looking at local food is not enough.”
Continue reading the full article on The Hamilton Spectator’s website: click here.