My name is Amanda Thiessen and I love everything about being local. It most definitely is not easy, but the results can be fantastic. There is a plethora of wonderful things out there to explore that may have never entered into your view before. For example how many people have heard of the northern kiwi? They are a small fruit that can and are grown in the Niagara region. They look very similar to the kiwi you may find at the grocery store but they are small, like the size of a peanut m&m. They taste just the same though. What a great surprise that you can eat what is considered a tropical fruit right here at home.
My love of local eating arose from my husband who works on a farm and is very conscious about the impact that purchasing non-Canadian produce can have on our local economy. Buying Canadian may at times cost extra but if we stop supporting our local producers how will they continue to produce for future generations of Canadians. There are so many local businesses that go far beyond food that we can support as well. Living local can have a great impact on our world.
If we all made an effort to shop at our local businesses what a great selection of local stores we could have. It is not easy to have a local business if the people who live in your community do not shop at it. So hang up on big box stores and start exploring your local community. Check out the food at your local grocery store and look at where your food is coming from. Peas from China, grapes from Argentina, and Asparagus from Peru. Just to name a few. How fresh are those things coming from around the world. Eat some local produce and see the difference. So head on out and check out your local farmers markets, and shops.
Why not help reduce the amount of fossil fuels that are consumed by huge amounts on a daily basis. Car pool to work, bike, take public transit. There are so many options. Even if you don’t live near public transit and have to drive your car think about taking a neighbur with you. Headed out of town check out the new GO service available on holidays and weekends from the St.Catharines and Niagara Falls VIA stations. Information available at http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/destinations/niagarafalls.htm.
Hopefully this gives you an idea of the kinds of things that I am going to write about over the coming months. I hope you can get excited about shopping local and start to check out what’s available to you.
~Amanda
