Once upon a time we made a goal. This was a long-term goal that we knew was going to take time and patience. We understood the benefits of eating local, it was just a matter of implementing a plan.
Grey & Bruce offers an abundance of food, culture, history, art, and music. Our focus was food. The first step we took in this long journey of finding good food was at the Owen Sound Farmers Market.
Every Saturday morning, we would stroll into the market and purchase items like honey, chicken, beef, some local greens, and a loaf of bread. Ingredient by ingredient we whittled down our grocery list from big box stores and started replacing those items with ingredients found at the farmer’s market.
Summer, of course, brings an abundance of produce, but during the colder months, this scene changes. Adapting to these changes is all part of the journey. Let the seasons dictate what and how you eat. Tomatoes are a pleasure all summer long, but in February, we can turn around and indulge in root vegetables, winter squash, cabbages, and any ingredients we preserved from the summer. These may seem like mundane ingredients compared to the excitement of summer produce, but with a little practice and experimenting, you can create amazing recipes with these humble ingredients
Why are we constantly told to eat the same food all the time? Buying the same produce all year, shopping for the same ingredients week by week. In fact, by changing our diet with the seasons, we end up eating better. Food is more nutrient-dense and has so much more flavor. Break the mold and make that change. Embracing each season is at the core of eating local food.
Eating local and Building Relationships
Experiencing unfamiliarity is how we grow. It is exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time. You think to yourself, “What on earth is this alien-looking purple globe, and how do I use it?” The farmer turns to you and says it is Kohlrabi, and it tastes sweet like cabbage. OK, you say, let’s try. The best thing to do now is to keep it simple. First, taste the ingredient, feel its texture, and get to know the vegetable before you slice it up. Sticking with techniques that you know, now it is time to experiment. You can boil, roast, slice and eat raw, or shred/grate into a slaw. You won’t know what works best until you try. If one technique doesn’t work, do not get discouraged; just try something else next time.
Too many times, we hit the fear button because we do not know what to do. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn.
As time progressed and we spent more time at the farmers market, we started building relationships with the farmers running their booths. Soon these relationships became friendships. Now there was a connection. It wasn’t only about food; there was a bigger picture being drawn, a picture about the relationship nurtured between farmers and consumers through food. Food is a shared love between so many, and because of this, we continue to nurture many relationships.
Once you get to know your farming friends, you are then introduced to more folks in the farming community. Everyone offers different ingredients that you can use in your home kitchen. Your network continues to grow, and your life becomes more “local.” Slowly you watch your big box grocery store list almost disappear, and your local food list and friendships flourish. You feel this tug in your soul that tells you this feels good. You have this deeper connection to the area that you call home. Instead of looking at the outside of the bubble, which so many of us do, you are now part of the interior where the makings of our communities happen. You become a stitch in the cloth that resembles the patchwork of the land and the people that work it.
Getting started and enjoy the benefits of eating local
Now, many years into achieving our goal, we can successfully say that we do eat local. Really, we have become local. It feels great knowing that our food has been grown on and in the soil of Grey & Bruce. It feels good to become the inner workings of our local communities. It eases our minds knowing that the food we eat has been cared for from beginning to end and not produced in mass for a quick buck. The food from your local farmers is so much higher in nutritional value, which benefits you greatly in the long run. There is a win-win all around.
You’re probably wondering where to start. What should I be looking for? Where do I go? The answer is to start small. Start by adventuring to the local farmer’s market. Make this a part of your weekly outings. Replace one ingredient at a time. Do not try to replace everything all at once. This can become overwhelming. Get to know the farmers. Ask them questions about what they grow, how they grow it, and what their favorite items are. Ask others in the community if they know who is selling the food item you are looking for. Hit the internet. You will be surprised to see how large the food culture is in Grey & Bruce. It’s pretty impressive.
Once you begin, it’s important to stick with it. Transitioning into eating locally and seasonally definitely has its challenges, but it is important to work through each step. This will eventually turn into a lifestyle change. Trust me, as you move further into your journey of eating local food, you won’t want to turn back.
Favorite Local Food Items
Here is a list of our favorite local food items found in Grey & Bruce:
Bread
Honey
Maple Syrup
Beef/Chicken/Lamb/Pork/Duck/Geese/Fish
Jams/Jellies & preserves
Flour
Fruit & Vegetables (there is so much to enjoy)
Eggs
Beer & Wine (yes, they are produced here too)
Coffee
Butter tarts
Crackers
Cheese
It really is quite simple to replace your entire big box grocery list. Start with one item and make it your mission to find more. The funny thing, though, is you will find so much more than food. Next, you will be looking into body care items, locally made jewelry, art, pottery, books, and music. This mission will eventually just turn into a way of life for you, and you will not even see it coming.
Conclusion
Embrace what your local community has to offer. Start building those relationships. Step out of those boundaries. Try something extraordinary. You won’t know how great it feels until you begin. One step at a time, one ingredient at a time.
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