ONTARIO PORK CONGRESS NEWS

The committees and executive of the Ontario Pork Congress are excited to announce that their annual tradeshow will be held on Tuesday June 22 and Wednesday June 23 this year.

Traditionally the congress has been held on a Wednesday and Thursday. But, as the years have progressed, Thursday has become an increasingly popular weaning day for Ontario swine farmers, making it harder for them to attend the show.

As part of the OPC's commitment to Ontario farmers, the dates have been changed to give farmers a greater opportunity to attend the show. There are many more exciting changes for this year's congress, be sure to check back with us at www.porkcongress.on.cafor more updates.

THIRD ANNUAL SAVOUR SIMCOE -CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE AND REGIONAL CUISINE

The third annual Savour Simcoe event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 29th at the Simcoe County Museum (outdoors among the trees and historical buildings), 1151 Hwy 26, Minesing, ON (just minutes northwest of Barrie).

OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM: TAKING ACTION FOR LOCAL FOOD

Ask where your food comes from and how it is grown. Among the advantages of eating locally grown food is the opportunity to get answers about your food. For local food, you can talk to the person who grew or raised it. For items grown in New Zealand, California or China, you'll be left with questions, not answers.

Preserve farmland for local food production. When the cost of fossil fuel prohibits long distance shipping as our oil production declines, we'll need farmland nearby to grow food locally. Let municipal, provincial and federal politians know that we need prime farmland for food production, not for highways and housing developments.

Change the menu. Ask for local food options in restaurants, schools, hospitals, workplaces, cafeterias and institutions -everywhere! If you operate a food-based business, consider the advantages of shifting to local markets for supply and sales of food.

Eat in season. Eat blueberries in blueberry season, corn in corn season and tomatoes in tomato season. Out of seasons you can still eat locally by putting root vegetables in a cold storage area and preserving foods -freezing, pickling, drying, making jams and jellies, chutneys and salsa. Start small and follow up-to-date recipes for safe and tasty results. There is a rich diversity of quality food available in every season right here in Simcoe County!

Host a 100 km Potluck, Picnic or BBQ. Spread the word about sustainable, local, seasonal eating. Gather friends and family to share a meal with as many ingredients as possible from within 100 km of where you live. Share recipes.

Adapted with Permission from www.fooddowntheroad.ca

A strong local food economy involves a process of partnership building and awareness-raising between urban and rural residents, and the full range of food system stakeholders. Simcoe County Farm Fresh strives to develop partnerships and deliver services that help more local food appear on local plates!