Do you buy local food?

When you're shopping for groceries, do you ever consider where the product you're about to put in your cart comes from? Do you care? More and more, consumers are choosing local products and Localize is helping them make that choice by making it easier to shop for local/regional food in grocery stores. Localize works "closely with grocers to help them highlight the local and regional products on their store shelves with an easy to identify label." Products are given a Localize Score, based on the diagram below, that makes sure the product is truly local or regional and not just a marketing ploy.



If that isn't enough for you, then you can scan the product's QR code to get more information about where it came from, who produced it, etc. To learn more about Localize's scoring system or to find a grocery store in your area that carries Localize products, check out their website.

*All images and information above are from www.localizeyourfood.com.

Bison, the new red meat?

Have you ever eaten Bison meat? If you have, then you already know it's delicious! If you haven't, then you
should definitely give it a try because not only is it tasty, but it is also one of the healthiest meat options around according to the Canadian Bison Association. In addition, Bison are raised naturally which means they are pasture-fed without hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products. That's a win-win-win if you ask me.

To find out more about Bison, where to buy it in Alberta and even some recipes, check out www.ilovebison.com.

Conservation Caravan

Operation Grassland Community has recently launched their Conservation Caravan which aims to highlight the "habitat stewardship of [their] ranching members." The video is 12 minutes long, but it is definitely worth a watch as it beautifully outlines the connection between consumers and producers in the native grasslands of Southern Alberta. Watch Amy Trefry, Operation Grassland Community, as she embarks on a journey to connect with ranchers who are pushing "the boundaries of conventional farming and conventional agriculture" such as TK Ranch, Integrity Ranching, Top Grass Beef, Three Triangle Ranch and Holtman Farms.

This video is just another example of some of the amazing things happening in this region and hopefully, it will inspire you to become more engaged with where your food comes from.

Have you ever thought of getting your groceries delivered?

A few years ago, I made the commitment to myself to try and buy locally produced food as much as possible, but that proved harder than I thought. Sure, you can get most of your essentials at any of the farmers markets throughout the region, but that isn't always convenient. The fact is, if you have to rely on the big grocery store chains for your groceries, then your choices are limited (although many chains are improving this). A friend of mine told me about Spud, and I was hesitant to try it because honestly, it made me feel lazy. However, I finally realized that I was way too busy to be putting in the effort I needed to find quality, local food...so, I broke down and tried it, and let me tell you, I'm so glad I did!

Not only does Spud offer local choices, but organic as well, and your groceries will be delivered right to your door! Now, some people may argue that your carbon footprint increases by getting your groceries delivered, but in fact, research has shown that getting your groceries delivered can cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least half (University of Washington)! So, not only are you getting quality, local food, but you're actually decreasing carbon emissions - it's a win win.

If you want to try Spud out, click here and you'll get $20 off your first purchase!

Co-op "Perfect Pork"

At Calgary Co-op's AGM in March, members voted in favour of phasing out the sale of eggs and pork sourced from confinement cages within the next 5 years. As a result of that vote, last month Co-op introduced their "Perfect Pork" to their Crowfoot store and plan to have it available in all Co-op stores by mid November. Not only is this "Perfect Pork" 100% vegetable fed, hormone free and open pen raised, but it is from Alberta's very own Sunhaven Farms - good job Co-op!

A&W Canada's "Better Beef" Campaign

Did you know that A&W Canada is now sourcing all of its beef from ranches that are "at the leading edge of sustainable practices?" In other words, beef raised without added steroids or hormones that is humanely raised. One of those ranches is Alberta's very own Spring Creek in Vegreville which promises to produce beef using "sustainable agriculture best practices and compassionate animal care protocols."

To learn more about A&W Canada's "Beef Guarantee", check out their snazzy new website.

How Did That Get On My Plate?

When you eat a meal, whether it be at home, a restaurant or even the fast food window, do you ask yourself where it came from? I do, and this blog will explore that exact question and more. There is a lot of great stuff going on in Calgary around local, organic and ethical food and I will aim to tell you all about it. So, sit back, relax and enjoy and don't forget to ask - how did that get on my plate?