Shop Local!

Shopping local has many benefits for both sustainable development and our economy. What do I mean when I say shopping local - exactly that. I try my best to purchase my produce from local farmers.


No, I am not saying I drive out to an assortment of farms to pick up my fruits, veggies, dairy and meat (although if I could I would consider it). I do however make a conscious effort to read all my labels! At the grocery store the labels that name the type of produce and states the price also states where it came from! For example: Blueberries may be a "Product of Chile"


I try to pick "Ontario grown" produce, and if not at least produce that is a "Product of Canada" - these simple changes not only reduce Co2 emissions created from shipping blueberries from Chile (or any produce from any part of the world), it also supports Local Canadian Farmers (AKA: our Economy!!!). Why wouldn't you want to put your money back into our own Canadian economy??


Not to mention the health benefits - the less traveling the produce does, the more time it spent on its vine or plant, which also means more nutrients in the vegetable itself!!! Haven't you ever wondered HOW it is that they ship strawberries all the way from Florida without them spoiling?? Picking a fruit of vegetable before its ripened helps it last longer, but doesn't give it a chance to ripen and fill with all those good-for-you nutrients!


Other places to find Local produce in London include the Covent Garden Market right downtown (one of my favourites!!). There are many local vendors that sell produce of all kinds - but do still read your labels as some sell a combination of local and imported produce. Beginning in May (weather permitting) the Covent Garden Market also has an outdoor farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.  www.coventmarket.com

Covent Garden Market - London ON

There is also a Farmers' and Artisans' Market located on the Wester Fair Grounds on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm with over 70 vendors and 2 floors!!! If it's still there, check out the vendor that sells fresh baked pies and tarts - amazing!!! www.londonsfarmersmarket.ca


Not from London? Check out www.greenbeltfresh.ca a fresh produce search engine for Ontario!


- M