Local Economy
Huron and Perth Counties are two of the most agriculturally productive Counties in Ontario (Statistics Canada). In 2006, there were approximately 5180 farms in Huron and Perth Counties. Farm families in Huron and Perth take pride in producing safe, healthy and high quality food for consumers. Many farms within the agriculture industry specialize in one or more commodities while other, often smaller farms, have realized the benefits of marketing their products directly to the consumer. These small family farms tend to be more diversified and offer fresh, nutritious food with a story.
Health
The foods we choose to eat are important. From vegetables and fruits, to grain products, to milk and meat and their respective alternatives, we make choices everyday that ultimately affect our health!
Canada’s Food Guide puts vegetables and fruit at the top of the food guide rainbow for a reason. Vegetables and fruit have vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants that we can’t get from other foods. They are also naturally low in calories and fat (with some exceptions) and high in fibre.
Environment
The average North American meal travels 2400 miles from farm to table, travelling from about 5 different countries in addition to our own. By purchasing locally-produced foodstuffs, we are minimizing the ‘food miles’ travelled and therefore we are reducing our carbon footprint. By consuming local foods with little to no plastic packaging, we are again condensing our contribution to greenhouse gases.
Community
When producers and consumers interact, a connection is formed that helps create a dependent, trustworthy relationship where the consumer relies on the farmer to provide them with healthy, nutritious foods as well as helping them to understand agricultural processes. Developing relationships with growers connects us to the food we eat and to the land where it was produced.
