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Buy Local Food Help Our Canadian Farmers and the Environment
Supporting local farmers is one of the best ways to strengthen Canada’s economy, promote sustainability, and enjoy fresh, high-quality food, especially when our farmers and economy are under threat from trade and tariff issues. When you buy local, you’re not just purchasing food—you’re investing in the future of Canadian agriculture, protecting the environment, and ensuring food security for generations to come.
Why Buying Local Matters
1. Supporting Canadian Farmers and the Economy
Canada’s farmers work tirelessly to provide fresh, nutritious food for our tables. However, many small and medium-sized farms struggle to compete with largescale imports. By choosing local food, you help keep money within the Canadian economy, create jobs, and support rural communities. Every dollar spent on locally grown food helps farmers reinvest in their land, equipment, and labour, ensuring they can continue to provide for our country.
2. Fresher, Healthier, and Tastier Food
Imported food often travels thousands of kilometers before reaching grocery store shelves. During transit, produce loses nutritional value and freshness. Locally sourced food, on the other hand, is harvested at peak ripeness, meaning it’s more flavourful and packed with nutrients. Whether it’s farm-fresh vegetables, grass-fed beef, or organic dairy, locally produced food simply tastes better.
3. Environmental and Climate Benefits
Buying local reduces the carbon footprint of your food. Transporting food across continents requires significant amounts of fuel, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions. Local food requires fewer resources for transportation, packaging, and refrigeration. Supporting sustainable farming practices in Canada also helps protect biodiversity, soil health, and water resources while reducing emissions and helping climate mitigation.
4. Strengthening Food Security
Recent global events have highlighted the importance of food security. Relying heavily on imported food makes Canada vulnerable to tariffs and supply chain disruptions. By supporting local farmers, we reduce dependence on foreign imports and build a more resilient food system that can withstand economic and environmental challenges.
How You Can Support Local Farmers
• Shop at Farmers’ Markets – Visit your local farmers’ market or farms to buy fresh produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods directly from Canadian farmers.
• Look for “Product of Canada” Labels – When shopping at grocery stores, choose foods labeled as Canadian-made.
• Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program – Subscribe to a local farm’s CSA box for seasonal produce delivered to your doorstep, or join Eat Impact, a new Barrie-based subscription food box service for all Canadian fresh affordable products, just created in response to US tariffs.
• Support Local Butchers and Dairy Farms – Instead of big-box stores, purchase your meat, eggs, and dairy from local sources.
• Drink Local: instead of imported bottled water, beers, wine and liquors, purchase your drinks from local and Canadian producers.
By making small, conscious choices, we can support Ontario and Canadian farmers, strengthen our economy, help the environment and climate while enjoying better, fresher, healthier food. Choose local—it’s better for you, the environment, and our farmers!
Local Action Produces Global Impact
Engage with Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team wasagabeachclimateaction.com Info@wasagbeachclimateaction.com
