WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local residents are being encouraged to celebrate Food Day Canada on Aug. 5 by cooking meals with curated farmers’ market recipes using local ingredients.
Food Day Canada is a chance for all Canadians to celebrate local food and the farmers, fishermen, chefs, processors, food researchers and everyone involved in growing, preparing, and bringing good Canadian food to our tables, states an Aug. 1 press release from the County of Wellington’s economic development department.
Food Day Canada also has a unique Wellington County connection. It was brought to life by the late Anita Stewart from Elora, an accomplished author, researcher, University of Guelph Food Laureate, and appointed member of the Order of Canada.
Senator Rob Black, a Centre Wellington resident, introduced the Food Day Canada Act in the Senate. After passing in the Senate the Food Day in Canada Act was sponsored by Perth-Wellington MP John Nater in the House of Commons.
This year, in celebration of the special day, Wellington-Guelph farmers’ markets have each selected unique recipes tested and shared by Stewart.
All the fixings for these dishes can be purchased directly from the markets themselves.
The curated recipe cards include such fare as barbecued pork chops with basil, mustard and fresh peaches from the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market, with a side of Island Potato Salad from Wellington North Farmers’ Market.
Visit a market to pick up a recipe card or download them at www.wellington.ca/Canada.
“We are excited to highlight how easy it is to buy local ingredients and support our local farmers and food producers,” stated county economic development manager Christina Mann.
“We produce some of Canada’s best foods right here in Wellington County. What better way to celebrate Food Day Canada then to have a delicious meal made from ingredients created by our own community.”
Among the ways to celebrate Food Day Canada around Wellington County and Guelph on Aug. 5 are:
– A Circular Detour: Food Day Canada in Elora – a walking food and drink tour around Elora with an emphasis on the circular food economy and sustainability; or
– visit a local restaurant: select from any number of local restaurants which highlight local ingredients on their menus.
Diners are urged to capture their Food Day Canada experiences on social media and add the hashtags #TasteReal #FoodDayCanada to show how they are celebrating.
To learn more about Food Day Canada and get more ideas on how to participate, visit wellington.ca/Canada.
