The Local Food Challenge Idea

We frequently post articles about our food supply and we feature our local market for many good reasons.  The Mayor and councillor of Ottawa have similar ideas and we really like their Local Food Challenge.
 
From Ottawa comes this $10 challenge.

Community and Neighbourhoods • Posted by Ottawa Start on August 29, 2011
 
Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Maria McRae, Chair of the Environment Committee, together with Doug Thompson, Chair of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee and Katherine Hobbs, Kitchissippi Ward, issued a delicious challenge to residents today: they officially launched the “$10 Local Food Challenge”, making a case for trying local food this harvest season. The launch took place at the “Harvest Table” – a three-course lunch hosted by Savour Ottawa, showcasing in-season and locally sourced ingredients, prepared on-site at the Parkdale Market.


“When it comes to food, there is no place like home,” said Mayor Watson. “Especially in Ottawa at this time of the year, when there is such a variety and abundance of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Fresh picked, nutrition-packed, and mouth-watering.”

“Every $10 you spend locally keeps circulating through the local economy, creating jobs and economic prosperity”, said Councillor Maria McRae. “We are strengthening and invigorating our community while helping the environment”.

Ottawa is the agricultural capital of Eastern Ontario. With more than 120,000 hectares of farmland, Ottawa’s farms cover an area more than twice the size of Toronto. There are about 1,250 farms in Ottawa, producing dairy, meat, fruit, vegetables and field crops with a value of over $164 million in gross farm revenue.

“Buying local means not only supporting farmers it also helps to create a reliable food source,” said Councillor Thompson. “Area farmers are more than able to satisfy the demand for healthy produce. In turn, they will produce a robust supply of fresh, tasty and affordable food.”

The “$10 Local Food Challenge” is about raising awareness for the many benefits of buying local. During September and October, residents who pledge to direct $10 of what they already spend a week on locally grown and locally prepared food will have the chance to win one of ten $50 food coupons. These can be redeemed at any of the more than 30 fine restaurants and food retailers that are qualified members of Savour Ottawa.

Savour Ottawa is a joint initiative of Ottawa Tourism, Just Food and the City of Ottawa, promoting verified, locally grown food; its members are area farmers, retail stores and restaurants. . The City of Ottawa also supports agri-business in the Capital through its Rural Affairs Office. It provides information and acts as a resource for farmers, including support for greater sales purchased directly from the farmer and the City’s 15 farmers markets. The City also helped to establish Just Food’s Ottawa Buy Local Guide.

This challenge builds on ‘The Ontario Table $10 Challenge’ issued by Lynn Ogryzlo in her new cookbook: If every household in Ontario spends $10 of their weekly grocery budget on local food, there would be a $2.4 billion influx into the province’s economy each year.