Think Global / EAT LOCAL

If you've been following the Sunday Free Press, you'll notice that Lindsay Wiebe has been writing a series of articles on her decision to eat only Manitoba grown food for a month ... in November (and she's a vegetarian). Quite a challenge! You can read her article on page A15 today.

I decided to spread the word and post the stores in Winnipeg that stock locally produced food so that we all can Think Global and BUY LOCAL! Caulfield’s Organic Market: 885 Westminster Ave.

EatIt: www.eatit.ca, 603 Wall St.

Fresh Option: www.freshoption.ca, 1338 Clifton St.

Harry’s Foods: 905 Portage Ave.

Organic Planet: 877 Westminster Ave.

Organza Market: www.organzamarket.com, Confusion Corner

Big-box grocery stores: Of course the big guys carry local food — just be sure to check the label.

Any produce marked Peak of the Market is definitely OK.

The Bay Food Market: basement of The Bay downtown.

Community Organics: www.saveyourfork.ca.

Foodfare Stores: 247 Lilac St., 115 Maryland St., 1840 Arlington St.

The Market 520: 520 Academy Rd.

Stephen & Andrews Food and Wine Shoppe: 384 Academy Rd, http://stephenandandrews.mywinnipeg.com.

Vic’s Fruit Market: 1038 Pembina Hwy.

Vita Health Natural Food Stores: 102 Osborne St., 845 Dakota St., Cityplace Shopping Centre, 4611 Reenders Drive, 16-845 Dakota St., J-2211 McPhillips St., 156-2025 Corydon Avenue,Kenaston and McGillivray, www.vitahealthstores.ca.

De Luca’s Specialty Foods: 950 Portage Ave.

Dutch Meat Market: 245 Marion St.

Foodland: in St. Norbert

The Forks Market: wide array of local-friendly stores

Frig’s Natural Meats and More: 3515 Main St.

Gimli Fish Market: 625 Pembina Hwy.

House of Nutrition: 770 Notre Dame Ave.

Manitoba Beef: www.manitobabeef.com

Naleway Caterers: 1411 Main St.

Natural Raised Pork: www.naturalpork.ca

Neechi Foods: 325 Dufferin St.

Portage Meat and Sausage Deli: 1032 Portage Ave.

Scoop & Save Bulk Foods: 3133 Portage Ave.

Scoop N’ Weigh Fine Ingredients: 1885 Grant Ave.

Spenst Brothers Premium Meats: 235 Perry St., Winkler

Wenkai Garden Fresh: 2247 Pembina Hwy.

Here's a summary of Wiebe's Why Bother Buying Local? : 1) Discover new foods! 2) Go Fresh or go home

"It's commonly reported that in North America, food travels an average of 2,400 kilometers before it reaches your plate - closer to 3, 200 kms in Manitoba"

3) It Tastes Better 4) Support the Local Economy

"A study in Maine found that every $100 spent at a sample of local businesses generated an average of $45 in local spending, compared to $14 in big box retailers."

5) Reduce Food Kilometers 6) Cut Fructose

"...and xanthan gum, whatever that is. For me, buying local has meant very little in teh way of pre-packaged food, and more cooking and meal planning than I'd like. On the upside, buying unprocesssed foods has helped limit the number of additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners in the foods I eat."

7) Save the Farm

"Between 1981 and 2001, the number of Manitoba farms plummeted nearly 30% according to the Manitoba Food Charter. That means of approximately 29, 000 active farms a few decades ago, more than 8, 000 have vanished."

8) Knowledge is Power

"the ability to speak with farmers and producers directly to ask how their crops are grown, and where their ingredients are sourced."

9) Eat Safe

"How can an E. Coli outbreak in California leave manitobans without spinach for months? ... Regional buying is, by its nature, typically smaller in scale ... a smaller supply chain means the outbreak will generally be easier to track, and contained to a smaller number of people."

10) Would you like a Story with that?

"Finding out the stories behind your meals is as rewarding as locating the food itself. You'll swear it makes dinner taste that much better."

Now after all this talk about food, I'm going to eat some lunch. I'm thinking toast with honey - I've been buying this local honey at The Bay Market for years. It tastes great! You can follow Lindsay's blog to keep up on her shopping and cooking adventures yourself and get lots of helpful hints on how to add more local food to your diet. Enjoy!