Along with the arrival of spring weather, comes the release of the new Buy Local! Buy Fresh! local food map.

The second edition of the map was created by Hamilton Eat Local, a project of Environment Hamilton. After the great success of its inaugural addition, this year's map features 60 farms and farm markets that consumers can buy directly from.

The launch of the new map took place on May 9th, 2008 and coincided with the launch of the new Ottawa Street Farmers' Market in their new location, east of Ottawa Street in between Edinburgh and Cannon Street. We were pleased to have Andrea Horwath, MPP for Hamilton Centre and Mayor Eisenberger in attendance at the launch as well as Councillors Merulla, Pasuta, and Morelli.  

The map provides a full listing for each of the sixty farms including: contact information, business hours, products available for sale, retail outlets where these products are also sold, farm features, and special attractions that take place on the farm.

This information can also be found in Hamilton Eat Local's online directory but also lists additional farms that were not included in the map. You can access this directory by following the links on Environment Hamilton's new and improved website at: http://www.environmenthamilton.org

The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! maps will be available at all the farms that are listed, including both farmers' markets in Hamilton. They are also available at our various distribution points such as: Tourism Hamilton kiosks, all Public Libraries, the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, Public Health and the Environment Hamilton office located at 1130 Barton St. E, Suite 207. 

Grab a copy today and begin to enjoy the abundance of wonderful food produced in Hamilton's countryside!

- Emily Chandler