Friday, April 26, 2013
Why Buy Local ~ @eggsoeufs
Like most parents, I put a lot of thought into what I feed my family. I take a lot into consideration when I purchase the food we consume. I have to say that though we try to grow a good portion of our food on our farm, what we don't grow ourselves, I try to get from other local farmers and food growers.
I married a beef farmer, so I know firsthand how why buying locally is so important. Our livelihood depends on people buying local beef. As a citizen of the Earth, buying local makes sense to me for so many reasons. I may have to save that for another post, lest this become a novel of epic proportions.
I won't lie. I do purchase items for my family that come in boxes, cans, and containers. I'd like to think I make smart choices and am realistic. Sure, we eat a lot of homemade food and a lot of fresh produce, but we certainly do have cereal in our pantry and frozen pizza and fish sticks in our freezer for the days I'm short on time and in need of a little help getting dinner on the table in a pinch.
With being a Mom, our decisions are so important when it comes to what we feed our kids. There seems to be this dichotomy when it comes to food choices. Can one be in support of products bought in stores and still a supporter of buying/growing local produce? I am a very vocal supporter of the brands whose products I buy. I'm even an ambassador for some of these brands. This said, I am also a huge supporter of buying local and eating fresh, local produce. I have to be. This is part of my family's livelihood.
Karanmarlee (Korean Egg Roll) made with local Manitoulin eggs
Why Buy Local
The Facts
best-quality food – food that’s safe, wholesome and fresh
To provide our families with the best-quality food, overwhelmingly Canadians have said that means that their food ought to come from local farms. In fact, a new survey commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada reveals:
To provide our families with the best-quality food, overwhelmingly Canadians have said that means that their food ought to come from local farms. In fact, a new survey commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada reveals:
- Over 90% of Canadians consider food from within their province to meet their standards for freshness.
- Over half of Canadians believe food that is imported cannot be considered ‘fresh’.
- 75 per cent say food/produce must get from the farm to the grocery store within seven days to be deemed fresh;
- People from Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada place the highest value on food from within their home province, 98 per cent and 94 per cent, compared with the national average of 90 per cent;
- Results for people preferring food produced within their province are identical regardless of income and education levels.
Egg Farmers of Canada is one of five national marketing boards that oversee the system of supply management, which ensures that every egg, chicken, turkey or dairy product that makes it to Canadians’ tables is fresh, safe, wholesome, and – in the vast majority of cases – from within the province.
The Reward
From May 1st to May 5th 2013, Egg Farmers of Canada will be rewarding Canadian moms who in many cases do the hard graft of grocery-buying and preparing meals for their families. Visitors to the Egg Farmers of Canada Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/eggs) during this period will be able to claim a discount voucher for eggs, and get ideas for treating their moms to the perfect Mother’s Day brunch – both the recipe, and how to prepare it.
Here's a great recipe/video for you!
BAKED EGG CUPS
What percentage of your groceries are locally produced?
Disclosure - This is not a sponsored post. This is just a topic I am passionate about.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
From Our Farm to Your Table
Farmers Feed Cities
You Can Find Me Here!
Affiliates
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Brand Ambassador for
For Fellow Bloggers
|
|
 |
 |
Proud Recipient
About the Blog Author
City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
Les Boutons!
Let's Connect
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
Support
8 comments:
I have no idea how much is local. Horrible, I know. I do most of my shopping on a budget, and while I buy lots of fresh fruit and veggies I will be honest that I go for price over location :(
I love to check out the farmers markets, but find it is so so expensive, and we just don't have the extra money for it.
I know that my beef and poultry are local less than 2 hours drive (local butcher says so). I will pick Ontario grown produce even if it costs more (ie tomatoes). I can't wait for the local farmers to have their veggie stands out. Many are on the honour system... leave the $$$ in a jar and take your veggies. I am longing for summer *sigh*
I try to buy local most of the time. I find it is easier to do when things are in season! Can't wait for the Farmer's Market to open up again next month.
I go to the farmers market every week all spring/summer/fall. In the winter it's harder to buy local for food. I do shop at local stores and from local businesses. But when I do go to the Sobeys, I find they purchase a lot of produce and meat from local farmers! I love that! I love that when we just buy carrots at the grocery store they are from the same farmer I shop at from the farmers market.
Great post! I love eggs! I can't wait to try making these!!
mamawee:
I agree. Groceries are expensive :( I find when we're at the farmers' markets on the Island, we get lots of great deals. We also barter with our neighbours. We exchange maple syrup, raspberries, squash for things we don't grow. My friends give me eggs in exchange for some produce or a steak! LOL!
Shannon:
Coming from the city, I was surprised that people here in the countryside go by the honour system! Friends leave a jar in their entrance for people to put money in and they take their own eggs! Unheard of from where I used to live! People would take it all and run! No joke!
MTM:
Totally agree with you! :)
Shari:
Definitely. So much harder to do in Winter months. Summer's pretty easy when you can grow your own produce :)
Jenn:
Yay! Let me know how it turns out! xo