“Food, glorious food.”
Wellington Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott borrowed the overture from Lionel Bart’s hit musical Oliver to describe last weekend’s Food Day at the Grand River Raceway.
Residents joined neighbours from across the country in a celebration of locally grown food.
Paul Walker, of the Grand River Agricultural Society, introduced guests for the event, including Wellington-Halton Hills MPP?Ted Arnott, Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross Zuj, Anita Stewart and Judy Creighton.
Ross Zuj thanked all those who participated.
“This is a particularly wonderful celebration of the produce we produce right here in Ontario,” she said.
She thanked all the producer groups that took part that day. “We certainly appreciate what you do for us and it’s certainly good to see everyone enjoying the fruits of your labour.”
She also thanked Stewart, a resident of Elora.
“We’re so proud of Anita and all the work she’s done … to promote eating locally, supporting our producers and our wellness. She’s just done a fabulous job,” Ross Zuj said.
Arnott thanked organizers for inviting his family to the second annual Food Day event.
To them he said, “Your time and hard work are appreciated by all of us.”
Arnott then cited the line from Oliver, and said, “In three words, it captures the spirit of what we celebrate here today.”
He said of the list of blessings in the province, high on the list is the quality, the quantity and variety of affordable food that is readily available in stores. “It is remarkable, especially when compared to many places around the world.”
At the same time, Arnott recognized the need of the local food bank and that the proceeds of the day’s event would support that organization.
“As we acknowledge bounty, we must also acknowledge its origin, our farms, and food processors.
“Wellington County’s farms and farm families make us one of the most significant agricultural areas. We’re lucky because the very best food is the food produced closest to home. We’re also very proud of internationally known culinary activist, food writer and Elora resident Anita Stewart.”
He said of Stewart, “Anita’s books and articles have made an enormous contribution to the recognition of our unique and delicious Canadian cuisine.”
He said Stewart is founder of Food Day, a coast-to-coast national celebration of restaurateurs, suppliers, growers, farms and citizens.
Next up was Judy Creighton, a culinary author for Canadian Press and special guest at Food Day in Elora.
“Anita is a dear friend of mine,” Creighton began. “It’s wonderful to be here and you can see the gang that you have enjoying our local food.”
She considered that very important since hearing of the News in Nova Scotia, where people are now getting most of their food from other places.
“It’s quite shocking,” said Creighton.
Stewart has written 14 books and is an award winning advocate for Canadian food.
She thanked those participating, including the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, Ontario Pork, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Asparagus, fresh vegetable growers and the Eat Local group.
“It’s just amazing,” she said. “At this moment, we’re all part of the hub of food action central in Canada. We are, from coast to coast celebrating Prince Edward Island to Tofino, from restaurants in Newfoundland to southern Vancouver Island.
“Keeping eating Canadian and keep eating Ontario.”
