Page 2
THE HAMILTON EAT LOCAL PROJECT
The food on our plate travels
on average about 2000km
from field to fork, and this long distance
haulage contributes to
increasing greenhouse gas
emissions and to the depletion
of fossil fuels, making food a
significant component of our
ecological footprint.
Freshness, taste and quality
are also issues to consider as
well as our vulnerability to fluctuating
food prices and sources
in the international market.
Consumers are beginning to
look for locally grown produce,
where they can ask about farming
practices and know they are
supporting the local economy
all at the same time.
HELP - the Hamilton Eat Local
Project – is a new project
that aims to create a more supportive
environment for food
production in Hamilton, help
consumers by making local
foods a more accessible and
practical option, while at the
same time helping local farmers
to increase awareness of their produce.
The project is a partnership between
Environment Hamilton and OPIRG (Ontario
Public Interest Research Group) at
McMaster University.
If you’re concerned about food issues,
HELP can guide you on ways to support
and promote local agriculture. For example,
you can get information about local
farm co-ops where you can sign up seasonally
and collect your produce once a
week from a local pick-up point.
An Eat Local working group has been
established that will put in place ways to
promote local agriculture and consumption
of locally-produced food through
education and a directory.
If you’re interested in joining this group – or want to find out
more about our Eat Local initiatives – please email us at
eatlocal@environmenthamilton.org, or call (905) 549-0900.
YOUTH LEAD THE WAY
These kids are responding to
programs organized by high
school students from St. Thomas
More and Bishop Tonnos
who created and delivered environmental
messages over the
last term. This youth leadership
program was spearheaded by
the Justice and Peace Commission
of the Catholic Diocese of
Hamilton. Training included a
special workshop on the Tonnes
for Trees program of Environment
Hamilton.
The youth delivered creative,
interactive presentations on
environmental issues to over
200 other young people.
