About Us
The Caledon Countryside Alliance (CCA) has been active in promoting Buy Local and Eat Local since the 2002 launch of the Buy Local Guide for Headwaters. From 2003 to 2006 the CCA was the main organizer and one of the sponsors of the Annual Local Food Conference in partnership with the Toronto Food Policy Council. The CCA was one of the founding partners and sponsors of the Grown in Peel Guide. The Eat Local Caledon program was launched in the Spring of 2007.
Caledon and the Headwaters Region is the ideal place to focus on building a local food system and the CCA is increasing its efforts towards this mission via the Local Food Program. Eating close to home not only strengthens the local food economy but also tops the list of environmentally sustainable actions.
The main objectives of the Eat Local Caledon program are to:
- Raise awareness of the environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits of eating food that is produced locally.
- Engage the public to support a local food system and make local food choices.
- Build capacity and infrastructure to support the sale and distribution of local food and to facilitate local trade relationships.
Ways You Can Support a Local Food System
- Visit a local Farmers' market. In 2009 Caledon will be home to 2 weekly Farmers' markets running from June to October. The Inglewood Farmers' Market is held on Wednesday evenings and the Caledon Farmers' Market is held in Bolton on Thursday evenings. There are nearby Saturday Farmers' Markets in Brampton, Orangeville and Georgetown.
- Visit local farmers & u-picks for local fruits, vegetables and herbs.
- Buy eggs, meats & fish from local sources.
- Buy honey and maple syrup from local producers.
- Buy goods from local processors (e.g. bakeries, dairies, breweries, wineries, butchers).
- Join a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to receive a weekly supply of seasonal produce.
- Ask your local grocer and favourite restaurant about what local foods they carry.
- Plant a garden and eat produce from your own backyard.
- Preserve local produce (freeze, can, dry) to eat later in the year.