About Eat Local

Hamilton Eat Local was formed in 2005 by Environment Hamilton and other community partners to support programs that encourage Hamiltonians to buy food grown from local farmers and harvest food that would otherwise go to waste. Hamilton Eat Local aims to increase the consumption of local food in Hamilton through two major initiatives: the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map and brand, and the Hamilton Fruit Tree Project.

The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Hamilton and Area Local Food Map, first launched in 2007, forms the cornerstone of our local food campaign. The map features over 60 locations where consumers can purchase locally grown food directly from those who produced it.
The 2008 map which features even more local food sources than in 2007 is set for release on May 9th in conjunction with the grand opening of the Ottawa Street Farmers' Market. 40,000 copies will be distributed at highly trafficked community institutions such as Carluke Orchards, the new Ottawa Street Farmers' Market, Bennet's Apple Orchard, Tourism Hamilton kiosks, all of our local farms and many other locations throughout the city. Check out our blog for the latest locations at which to pick up your copy of the map www.hamiltoneatlocal.blogspot.com

For more information on how you can obtain a copy, email our Communications Manager, Juby at jlee.eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org or call the Environment Hamilton office at 905.549.0900.

Visit our Online Local Food Directory to find your favourite food grown close to home by a local farmer.

For more information on food and agriculture related events, musings on local food related issues, recipes, farm and food features and other information about Hamilton Eat Local, visit our blog at: www.hamiltoneatlocal.blogspot.com

Those interested may also sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter, Farm Fresh Hamilton. It includes features on where to buy fresh food grown and raised by local farmers in and around the city, profiles of local family farms, recipes highlighting local seasonal ingredients, special interest stories on farming and food and special events that celebrate the bounty of Hamilton's harvest.
Our staff is also available to make community presentations and host local food education workshops tailored to your interests. Please contact us to discuss dates and presentation topics.

The Hamilton Fruit Tree Project organizes volunteers to harvest fruit from trees in Hamilton that would otherwise go to waste. Fruit tree owners contact us if they have trees that are available for picking. Volunteers then pick the fruit and divide it between the tree owner and local food banks and social service providers. Volunteers also enjoy the 'fruits of their labour' and get to take some of the fruit home. This year the Hamilton Fruit Tree Project will include fruit preserving workshops and tree maintenance activities. Please contact us if you'd like to volunteer or know of a tree that needs to be picked!

Eat Local and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

The Eat Local project would not be possible without the generous support of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. The Foundation has provided core funding for 2007 - 2009 Eat Local activities. For more information about the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Ontario's Greenbelt, visit www.ourgreenbelt.ca.