1. Plan your meals – when planning meals, consider seasonal availability of local foods.
2. Hit the farmers’ market first – Plan to do your grocery shopping on the same day as your community farmers’ market. Before going to the grocery store and stocking up on foods from foreign countries, fill your basket with meal ingredients at the local farmers’ market. Go to the grocery store for the remaining items. Chat with the growers – they can give ‘expert’ advice on nutrient benefits and preparation techniques that you can use in your kitchen!
3. Grow your own – Plant a small garden full of family favourite veggies. If you don’t have the time and space to grow a garden, plant fresh herbs in flower pots – they become delicious décor!
4. Dine Out – With the buzz surrounding local food consumption, many local restaurants have started to use products from local producers. Ask around and find out which local restaurants love serving local flavours.
5. Fill the freezer – We all know that in Huron and Perth Counties we don’t have access to most local fruits and veggies during the winter months. By freezing summer favourites or making delicious meals ahead with local products, you can eat locally all year round. Buying meat in bulk is also an excellent way to fill the freezer with local food.
6. Paper bag lunch – Instead of grabbing a frozen dinner or a personal sized pizza for lunch, make a fresh salad or sandwich full of locally-grown goodness! It’s nutritious and smart!
7. Good Food Box – Huron County residents can order a monthly box of mostly local fruits and vegetables for only $15 per month. Call
8. All for One, One for All – Encourage your friends, family members and co-workers to buy local foods. That way, no matter where you eat dinner, you’ll be eating locally-grown goods.

If You Can’t Buy Local

If you can’t buy food products produced in Huron Perth, remember to buy as close to home as possible. We do not have the capabilities for successfully producing citrus fruits, so this concept means buying Florida oranges instead of those produced in Chile. It’s also good to purchase ‘Fair Trade’ products if you cannot buy locally-produced.