As the old saying goes: “You are what you eat”
… so why not eat local, organic, pesticide-free and non-GMO foods?  At least half of your diet should be local and sustainably grown food.

Where to start?
The Ontario Greenbelt Foundation has an extensive list of local farmers markets. This list should help you get started eating fresh, local produce.

Become a Vegitarian!
The Toronto Vegetarian Association has tons of information on eating meatless, recipes, tips, and even an online meal planner.

Start using a co-op
Think about buying all your natural and organic foods and home supplies from a co-op. Become a member and receive discounts and member benefits. Ontario’s Natural Food Co-op can be found here.

Try a 100 mile challenge!
100mileradius.ca is dedicated to helping connect Canadian ‘locavores’ with local sources for produce, dairy products, meat, poultry and more.
http://100milediet.org Is an easy way to start thinking local. A 100-mile radius is large enough to reach beyond a big city and small enough to feel truly local.

Agro-tourism Niagara

Niagara Organic Growers promote organic growing methods in the Niagara Region and feature a listing and map of participating Certified Organic or environmentally sustainable Farms offering everything from Organic Fruit and Produce, Herbs, Meats and even Wine.

I was sure something like this existed and am sure glad to have found it… Agro-tourism Niagara put out this handy guide that shows, in a map style, where some of the region’s farms, vegetable stands and nurserys are located: Link to pdf

After looking at the ‘circuit’ more closely, it seems a lot of places are by appointment only but there seem to be enough that aren’t to make a whole afternoon out of it. hmm… definatly something to do in maybe mid-July when we can pick our raspberries, blueberries and pears.

A similar brochure I found on the Agro-tourism Niagara site is a listing of Niagara’s organic growers - farms where you can buy organic products - ranging from wines to fruits & vegetables and everything in between: link to pdf brochure map

Niagara Local Food Cooperative

Although they charge a lifetime membership fee of $50 for consumers, I think it’s well worth it… just think about all the benefits! … not to mention all the unique items not available anywhere else at reasonable prices:  Niagara Local Food Cooperative.

Niagara Cooks

A website by renouned Niagara culinary writer Lynn Ogryzlo, who is dedicated to promoting local food sources. Visit this fantastic page for more information on local Farms as well as seasonal recipes and other resources.  Niagara Cooks

Interested in doing your part?
Check this site out and see what you can do to help!

One Million Acts of Green

What is One Million Acts of Green?

This season, CBC and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos want to mobilize Canadians to do One Million Acts of Green. In partnership with Cisco, the idea behind the campaign is that one small act can make a big difference.

It’s not about overhauling your life; it’s about one act from each individual amassing to a million. It can be as simple as switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs, starting a recycling program, or walking to work. You can do one act – or you can do all one million! It’s up to you.

Young and old, parents and kids, small towns and big cities, we want to create an exciting grassroots initiative. All you have to do is go to this website and register one act – or more. The green calculator, designed by GreenNexxus, will determine the impact of those acts on the environment.

We’re asking everyone to get involved: schools and universities, cities and communities, business, politicians, and even celebrities. George and The Hour are challenging other CBC programs to go green, including CBC News, Kids’ CBC, Steven & Chris, Living, and CBC Sports. But most of all, YOU.

Together we can make an impact. Together we can make our lives, our communities, and our environment greener.

One million acts of green, one act a time.