So on our way back from visiting some friends in London, we stopped by the most amazing place ever. No really, it was like Canada’s Wonderland for foodies.  The place is the Ferket Tomatoes and Vegetable Farm (U-Pick) in Mt. Brydges Ontario. Can you believe we brought home all this wonderful produce for less than $20? What’s even better, is that we picked it ourseleves.  It was such an amazing experience to run through the fields, giggling over which peppers to pick, which eggplants were ours, and which beans would eventually become dinner.  Maybe it’s because I live in a rather large urban center, but the thought of eating produce, that I personally selected earlier that day, for dinner brings me such joy.

Fresh, fresh Vegetables

If you get a chance to get out to Ferket’s (maybe next summer), it is certainly a great place to spend a day. Be prepared to get a little dirty (isn’t that half the fun?).  This was truly local food at it’s core, and it made me really happy.  Now, you can see how there should be a follow-up blog post on what the bleep we did with all this food right? (We’re working our way through the sauces now).  I’ll have to be sure to write that post soon.

Foodie Foodie, Life's little pleasures

I wanted to post an update note.  I have been blogging, just not here. Instead, I’ve been writing lots of great strategy and online communications documents over at Civic Footprint.  Civic Footprint is a really interesting and inspiring program designed to bring awareness to one’s impact on his or her community, through Giving, Volunteering and Participating.  I’d love for you to take a peak at the blog and let me know your thoughts on our Cloud Computing model - it’s an interesting approach (to be “in the cloud”) and I think aligns so nicely with an innovative non-profit leading in the tech space.

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Last week was Net Change Week in Toronto, and I had the lucky pleasure of being a Net Change Agent.  (I’m the one filling up your Twitter feed with all the live session tweets).  I wanted to share some observations that I’ve collected from being a part of Net Change Week.  It is all really exciting!

First of all, it’s very clear that there are many not-for-profit organizations that are struggling to find a way to incorporate social media into their marketing / communications plans.  I completely understand the resistance and the challenges to getting involved.  It can be difficult to find resources where there are none.  A fascinating quote I heard yesterday was “Just because they don’t get it, doesn’t mean they’re not interested”.

This is fantastic!  I hadn’t really thought of the idea that people aren’t avoiding social media because they think it’s stupid (maybe some are), many are interested and want to participate, but this new world is simply overwhelming.  This makes total sense.  I’ve been a geek for many years (Hello, Gurl Pages, eWorld.. I’m looking at you)… for those not used to the online space, it can be a scary endeavor.

I’m excited by all the interest in social media that I’ve seen, and all the people so happy to learn more and chat about communicating in the online space.  I have to disagree with some I’ve spoken to though; there isn’t one “great” tool to get into or a “must do” in the online space - it should be about what makes sense for your organization, what you’re comfortable putting out there (publicly) and what gets you fired up inside.  Passion is key.  So get into social media at the pace that works for you - and learn as you go.  It’s your organization and your community that you’re building, so you should participate!

This is an exciting time for me, because I know that as more non-profits climb into the social media space and start to understand the magic of the web, the more collaboration and innovation we’ll start to see come out of it. There are leaders in this sector (geeks too!).   I’m really pumped to get to the next level of innovation - some really cool stuff is possible.

Go Net Change Week Go!

Twitter, Web 2.0 Geek, Net Change Week, Twitter, Web 2.0

After flipping through links and being inspired by the Wedding 2.0 article in ITWorld - (that this blog is quoted in!!) I found this adorable video:

This is the way first dances should be.

Uncategorized Published, Wedding 2.0, YouTube

I am very excited about all the local eating movements.  Very excited.  It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently, now that the warmer weather is here and the options for local produce are much better.

Could I eat only foods produced from Ontario?  Well, I do support local farmers but I’m not sure if my diet could be 100% local.  It doesn’t mean I’m not considering the shift, it just means I’m looking closely at how practical this lifestyle is for my family.  Yes, I will always buy Ontario peppers before ones from outside of Canada.  If I have the choice between fresh, Ontario asparagus or greens from somewhere in the US, well… it’s asparagus for dinner (even if it’s the third time this week).  But giving up juicy oranges from Florida, amazing sea salts and fresh ground pepper… I’m not sure if it’s a shift I should be making. Or is it?

As better alternatives to my pantry’s essential items become available, of course I’ll consider the switch!  I certainly believe in supporting Ontario workers and the amazing foods we produce here - so if it grows in Ontario, I will make a commitment to purchase the foods available here.  Will I shy away from all other products and eat 100% local? No, not yet.

I read the 100-mile diet book (Disclaimer - Fiance worked on this website) and have been really inspired to be conscious about where my food comes from and think closely about how many food miles my tomatoes have traveled from their farm to my table.  (Speaking of tomatoes, having grown my own successfully last summer, I am a true believer in food TASTING SO MUCH BETTER when it doesn’t have to be ripened on a truck).  It just makes sense that food grown closer to home tastes better.

The 100-mile book was great and the message is inspiring; take a step back and consider what you’re eating and how it got to your table.  Appreciate the work that goes into prepared foods, and if you really want an eye-opening experience (as these writers had), start jarring your own foods to prepare for winter (sounded fun, but ultimately painful).

A small story: Spending the day with my Dad, he leaned over and asked about the “diet” book I was reading (it’s not a weight loss book, but it is about our diets).  I explained that I want to be a better locavore and make an effort to eat more local foods.  His response to my commitment?

Well duh, isn’t that common sense?

Interesting. It seems earlier generations get that this concept of local eating is a simple, easy thing to do.  Why did his comments seem so off-putting?  Maybe it’s because I live in a fast food nation, or maybe it’s because being in the city means being far away from the farms… but is it really common sense to eat local?  For my Dad, it is.

It would be wonderful though, to just eat local, organic foods… but I must acknowledge that the local lifestyle comes at a higher grocery price tag.  Better in the long run, and healthier for you maybe, but paying more for groceries in this economy can be a hard sell for some.

The bottom line:  Eat locally and support local farmers as best you can.  I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask every Canadian family to make a shift to 100% local, but I value the gesture and admire those who live that way.  It’s better for you, it’s better for our community and our environment.  After all, being a locavore “just makes sense”. I’m going to make an effort to do better.  Enjoy your asparagus folks - strawberry season is up next!

Foodie, Media Eating locally, Foodie, locavore