It’s spring, and local food producers want to you to get fresh with them … and they’re even prepared to show you just how to do it. In this case, via the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map that’s being launched today (Saturday) at the Elmira Farmer’s Market.
The map, produced by Foodlink, lists 75 farms in Waterloo Region as well as farmer’s markets, local food processors and restaurants.
Although most people tend to think of spring and summer when they think of local food, the map is a guide to eating locally through four seasons.
“The whole idea is to promote local foods year round,” said Foodlink project coordinator Anna Contini. “Some people are under the impression it’s just produce, but it isn’t. It’s all locally produced food – meats, cheeses, preserves, syrup, you name it.”
Foodlink is a non-profit collaboration between farms, food processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants and other community stakeholders in Waterloo Region. Last year Foodlink distributed nearly 40,000 maps and they went quickly, Contini said.
Along with the map of their locations, each farm has a listing with its contact info, hours, items for sale and any additional features, such as u-pick, certified organic, farm tours or community shared agriculture.
Of the 75 farms on the map, 33 are in Woolwich Township and another 13 are in Wellesley. A number of those vendors will be at the Elmira Farmer’s Market, which Contini said is a true local market.
“We like to refer to it as the 10-mile market, because everything is locally produced, grown or made, without exception,” she said. “We’re inviting people to come out to the market, get the map and at the same time discover a wonderful source for local food.”
Earlier this week, Foodlink also launched its updated website, www.foodlink.ca. The new site offers an interactive version of the map, where people can search for local farms by distance or food item. There are profiles of different foods, a recipe database and a full event calendar. Local Food 101 has answers to frequently asked questions on topics like grass-fed beef, omega-3 eggs, free-run hens and more.
The launch takes place at the Elmira Farmer’s Market, in the parking lot of the Home Hardware, 10 Church St. W., from 10 a.m. to noon May 23. The map, which is free, is also available at Kitchen Kuttings, the township office, the Elmira Produce Auction and a number of other sites listed on the Foodlink website at www.foodlink.ca.
