Canadian Local Food Sources
Consumers worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying locally grown food.
It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious. It is also good for the local economy–buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business. Family farmers sell their products directly to consumers.
In a farmers’ market, a group of farmers sell their products once or twice a week at a designated public place like a park or parking lot. Some farmers’ markets have live entertainment. Shopping at a farmers’ market is a great way to meet local farmers and get fresh, flavorful produce!
Find Resources“Buying local” is growing in importance as many people begin to consider the impact of their carbon footprint on the environment. Although the local food markets’ share of the grocery market is small but growing.
Customers who buy directly from the farm or from nearby farmers’ markets tend to value higher-quality food with a lower environmental impact and are willing to pay a premium price for it.
Find ResourcesA farm stand is a place where a single farm sells its produce, either from the back of a truck parked on Main Street, or from a roadside stand near or on their farm.
Farm stands are generally only open during warm weather, and may be “self serve.”
Find ResourcesPick Your Own is a farm that opens its fields to the public during harvest season. U-Pick farms offer fruits such as strawberries, kiwi, and pumpkins in the summer and early fall months.
One of the best things about summer is the plethora of fruit that’s in season, especially the berries. Even better, is being able to pick-your-own.
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The Local Food and Farm Co-ops network is an incorporated not-for-profit co-operative that specializes in organizing and development support for food and farming co-ops.
Co-operatives provide groups of producers with the opportunity to own and control businesses related to their farming operations, enabling them to address common problems or develop market opportunities.
Find ResourcesA convenient choice without delivery fee. The main theme of the food subscription services lies in their convenience.
Most subscriptions offer a door delivery service and waive off the delivery charges or offer extremely low delivery charges. They can get fresh food delivered as per their comfort without stepping out from their homes amidst their busy schedules!
Find ResourcesCommunity Supported Agriculture is a way for consumers to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce.
Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.
Find ResourcesDairy farming, branch of agriculture that encompasses the breeding, raising, and utilization of dairy animals, primarily cows, for the production of milk and the various dairy products processed from it.
Dairy farming is the practice of raising mother animals such as cows, goats, buffalo, donkeys, and other livestock and using their milk to feed humans. Dairy products include cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, and milk.
Find ResourcesFood Festivals throughout the world are often based on traditional farming techniques, seasons Food festivals are related to food culture of an area, whether through the preparation of food served or the time period in which the festival is celebrated.
Food festivals are considered strengthening agents for local cultural heritage.
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