I consider myself someone who likes to eat local. But even in stating that, I think I have to define what local means to me. Firstly, I like eating things produced in my immediate area. When we are at the cabin, one of the biggest perks is buying crab off the boat, short ribs from the local cattle farmer, and tomatoes from the farmers market.
There is nothing better then tomatoes fresh from the garden on some brown toast with mayo and salt and pepper.
Seriously.
Unless it is maybe popping a fresh cherry tomato right in your mouth.
(This photo was from last summer’s bounty, the green squash was from my garden and everything else was from the market.)
Outside from that, I tend to try pay attention to things in BC’s growing season, I buy BC apples year round and when blueberries, strawberries, corn and the rest are in season I stock up. I consider it local if it comes from BC, since I know I can’t expect to always be able to purchase strawberries from down the street. Especially when I am in Vancouver.
I like eating this way because I think in a lot of cases it tastes better, especially for things like berries and tomatoes. The fruit or vegetable was picked when it was actually ripe rather then being picked earlier in order to ripen during transportation.
According to a survey released today 86% of Canadians prefer to eat locally sourced foods so I am not alone. This number was way higher then I expected. But in a good way. What I found even more interesting, was that when asked the number one reason why, it was to help the local economy or keep the farmers in business. This was slightly higher than the number two reason, and my key reason – food is fresher.
I definitely think about the business side when I patronize the markets (since there is face to face contact) but on a larger scale it makes sense to buy the tomato from BC rather then Chile because it helps keep our local farmers in business and support jobs. Especially now.
The other thing I found funny is that out of people from BC the number one thing we want to support in Province? Beef! Then vegetables and potatoes! Not seafood or tomatoes or corn. Totally shocking.
I was so surprised by this I did my own poll on J. First I asked him the same question and he answered crab, blueberries\blackberries and oysters. Then I asked him what he thought people would say and he said wine, tomatoes and sushi. (We really like our sushi).
Clearly I need to buy more BC beef, I have had it. It was good, no debating here.
What do you think? Do you notice where your products are coming from? If you are in Canada do some of these number make sense? If you are in the U.S. or elsewhere, do you think about this too? What do you make sure you buy local?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I definitely read labels more but I have to admit sometimes convenience trumps spending time and effort in tracking down something that’s truly local (which I define as within my province)… Knowing that we’re increasing importing foods we grow ourselves here is shocking. And I will be trying to do more locally. TRY!
I always read the labels and tend to buy local unless there is not a choice at the grocery store. I’d rather buy local to support local farmers but also I noticed that some of the produce shipped in was flavorless. Why buy that?
When it comes to fruits and veg i do try to buy local products.
We have twice a week a local market and i try most of my veg,, fruits etc from there too.
I live in a rural agriculture area – which should mean I have access to lots of local foods, but in reality the focus of the agriculture is commercial export: grains, alfalfa, potatoes.
Outside of growing my own food and the bi-weekly trips to farmer’s markets, which don’t really get going until late June/early July, that leaves me stuck with the supermarkets. I do read labels, and I frequently find them depressing: sugar snap peas, product of Guatemla; grapes, product of Chile; shrimp, farmed product of Thailand; ground beef, product of US/Canada/Mexico otherwise unspecified. Even products on the “organic” aisle in the produce section are often from other countries or the other side of the continent, which pretty much defeats the main points of buying organic in the first place.
It’s depressing, it is.
AreYouGonnaEatThat – totally agree making an effort is a great way to start. TRY!
HappyCook – wow twice a week, is that year round? Very impressive.
Maureen – this is interesting I never really thought about what it would be to be in a farming community that was really focused on one crop or another. Aren’t there any little hobby farms? It is depressing isn’t it? I find organic is almost less often local if you are in a supermarket.
You know what drives me mental!? BC Hot House…from MEXICO! Totally misleading.
I read the signs in the produce department but often it just says, "Product of Canada" which could mean anywhere in this huge country of ours.
I make an effort to shop locally, especially for items we can grow here, but don't feel guilty over coffee, coconut milk or certain spices. However, my palate loves ethnic cuisines, so I'm learning to substitute local ingredients more: Peaches for mangoes, cold pressed canola for olive oil, empire apple cider vinegar for red wine…
I guess awareness if the first step…