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Are there any economic gurus out there that are fans of buying local? I am curious, as my husband and I were having a discussion about buying local and comparative advantage. Today I found this informative albeit cheeky article about the same subject from Harvey Enchin of the Vancouver Sun. In his article Enchin is referring to Vancouver Counselor Peter Ladner's challenge for residents to create 2,010 urban gardens as a tribute to the Olympics as well as having other beneficial social and financial gains. Enchin discusses how time is money and unless you are a farmer chances are you will be spending too much "money" in your garden. I think what might be forgotten is the invisible investment that is made with these endeavors like time spent nurturing and teaching our children, building friendships within the community and soothing our own souls, investments worth so much more than the extra tangible dollars made, spending another couple hours at the office.

British Columbia
British Columbia offers lots of delights; various species of mushrooms, berries, fresh sea foods right off the boat, vegetables, fruit, cheese, eggs, meats and poultry and so much more. Finding a Farmers Market is as easy as this fabulous link from the BC Association of Farmers Markets! In most of the regions of this beautiful province there are both summer and winter markets.

 

Other Fabulous links

• The Certified Organic Association of British Columbia (COABC) boasts over 600 certified organic members.
• Urban Grains is a new venture providing local grown grain.
• GetLocalBC.org, helping residents of the Metro Vancouver area find local food.

Yukon
Farming in the North must have its challenges but certainly it is not impossible. Farmers welcomed the chance to try and grow grain, berries and even fruit trees north of 60, with success, despite short growing seasons and less than optimum soil conditions. Today Farming in the Yukon has grown and includes certified organic produce and grain, free range poultry, wild turkey meat and eggs, potatoes, rabbits, pork, sheep, elk, herbs, honey, berries arctic char, apples, pears, oats, grass fed bison (no hormones or antibiotics), goat milk cheeses, birch syrup, wheat, barley as well as mushrooms. I am sure I am sure I haven't listed all the foods raised, grown and produced in this region but it is, without question, rich in variety.

 

Other fabulous links

• Yukon Foods website
• Yukon farms products and services
• Fireweed community market in Whitehorse YK

Don't forget to comment and add all you favourite buy-local spots, sometimes the best places can't be found online (please note comments are not immediately posted). While you're typing, include your thoughts of the local and global impacts of the buy local phenomenon. I always enjoy hearing what you're thinking.

I would love to take a moment and announce the winner of our Aroma Crystal Therapy Giveaway.  This is our second giveaway here at BuyCanadianfirst.ca.

On May 7^th, I wrote a blog post profile on Aroma Crystal Therapy. 

The prize was a gift basket from the great folks at Aroma Crystal.  The basket includes:

• A 6 oz. tube of Gardener's Dream Cream - The award-winning Gardener's Dream Cream is made from 100% natural ingredients and pure essential oils and combines the benefits of vibrational and aroma therapy.  It provides amazing moisturizing for all skin types and so much more. Customer's have used Gardener's Dream Cream for weird rashes, muscle & joint pain, edema, skin conditions and soothing massages.
• A jar of Ohm - Ohm is a naturally nourishing, rich facial moisturizer which protects the skin and promotes a youthful complexion. Ohm acts as an effective barrier against pollutants and toxins that dry and age skin. The fragrant formula promotes circulation and helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles with the power of 100% pure essential oils and extracts.
• 5 sample packages of the Gardener's Dream Cream.

To be eligible, participants had to answer the following question:

"What kind of Canadian-made products do you purchase the most and why?"

The winner of this prize pack is:

KristyJahn-Smith

Please email me at tinachicki (at) buycanadianfirst (dot) ca to claim your prize!

Thanks to all who participated and keep reading! More giveaways are coming soon!

The term ‘local' when applied to food is officially defined as produced within a 50km radius of your location but some will have it include within their own province and others in their own country, but here at Buy Canadian First, we're comfortable with all these "definitions". The official definition works out great though within 3 of the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. I had sent out a public plea to help me find locally grown foods in Canada. One Halifax artisan quibbled that all that would be available in her area would be potatoes, lobster and apples... I thought I was in for it. 

Please tell us in the comments below, your favourite market, farm or product name and don't forget to mention your city and province!

Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers a plethora of tasty treats made with just local ingredients as well as produce, grocery items to buy including other goods like wool spun from Canadian sheep.

In Nova Scotia you can find an impressive selection of organic foods like eggs, chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, strawberries, raspberries, apples, lavender, goat milk cheese, wild blueberries, herbs, leafy greens, garlic and so much more.

At the Halifax Farmers Market you will also find more vendors of local foods such as asparagus, pears, honey, yogurt, fish, seafood, maple products and the likes, as well as organic foods.

If you don't know what you can buy in your area try this fantastic map from Select Nova Scotia. 

 

 

New Brunswick
New Brunswick food growers offers an equally impressive collection of orangic food options: beef, garlic, dried beans, chicken, maple products, peas, squash, lettuce, apples, herbs, potatoes, melons, beets and flour to just name but a few.

Looking for a market in New Brunswick is not tough regardless of the region you live in. Here are a few:

River Valley Region that follows the Saint John's river, host several markets including the famous W.W. Boyce Market .

The Fundy Coastal Region that is located on the south-end of the province boasts having the oldest market in North America. The Saint John City Market was built in 1876 and takes a full city block!

 

The Acadian Coastal region runs along the eastern line of the province and will provide you with all your culinary needs as well as some interesting town names in which I hope an Acadian will comment on and help me pronounce Kouchibouguac ;-)

The Miramichi River Region is in the interior of the province and described as upbeat giving you arms filled with treasure and your spirit in very good humour.

The Appalachian range offers maple treats with sugar camps in the spring that allow you to eat, sleep and drink maple.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island like its other fellow Islands also has a grand organic foods selection. Here are some examples: lamb, soybeans, grains, chicken, eggs, potatoes, strawberries, shitake mushrooms and other fruits and vegetables.

Check out this guide to eating fresh and local in Prince Edward Island.

I have noticed that several of these markets are open year-round giving you access to local products all the time. Clearly these regions are rich in food choices that all produced in the area. One does not have to become a locavore to exist. Items like coffee, chocolate and bananas are things I am not willing to live without but I can support my local growers and producers. Your areas are more bountiful than you think.

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons: Zach Bonnell, Will Pate and Saint John City Market

We are making a pledge to buy local, in fact we already found a source for our eggs from a delightful couple on highway 14 just west of the 30. They sell regular sized eggs and peewee eggs in the spring and late summer as well. To reduce our carbon footprint we have also started our seeds for the garden, this will be our third year trying to garden. Our first few years have shown some results but we would really like some volume this time, if that happens it would be a 'victory garden' indeed. We have 2 apple trees that will be picked, eaten, shared and made into buckets and buckets of apple sauce.

 

Buying local has several benefits; it supports local economies, helps conserve local farmlands and wildlife habitats and reduces the environmental costs of long distance food transport. Not only that but local produce will be fresher and less likely to be sprayed with chemicals designed to prevent mould and fungus growth. If you want some more reasons to buy local here are 10 reasons to buy local.

Where to buy local food: a Manitoba Guide. 

Please comment with your favourite market, farm or product name and don't forget to mention your city and province.

Manitoba

Tall Grass Prairie Bread
Makes bread and lots more using Manitoba products.

Manitoba Harvest - Hemp Foods and Oils
Hemp seed oil, shelled hemp seed, hemp seed butter and protein powder. Manitoba hemp is grown without herbicides, pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Eatit.ca - Canada's online organic store, that delivers!
Eatit.ca offers a wide selection of Manitoba made products that includes various flour, eggs, bison meat, maple syrup, honey, steel cut oats, milk (no hormones or antibiotics!) and more.

Organza  - Natural and Organc Market
A super store of natural and organic products, you can find a great selection including local grass fed beef. Sign up for their newsletter to keep on top of their upcoming seasonal products.

Crampton's Market
This is my favourite seasonal ‘eat local' food market. They work with local farmers and blog about upcoming deliveries. Oh and the baking is to die for! Currently they have local hydroponic basil, hothouse cucumbers, hothouse tomatoes and hothouse cherry tomatoes as well as local wild fiddleheads and wild morrel mushrooms.

St Norbert Farmer’s Market
The Humdinger of farmers markets where you can not only find local artisans and crafters but a one stop produce dream. Growers from all over Manitoba offer you a selection of from pumpkins, potatoes, beets, dill, cilantro, cabbage, melons, blueberries, strawberries, broccoli, and so much more, here is the harvest schedule.

Prairie Fruit Growers Association
Find U-Pick strawberries, raspberries, Saskatoon berries, currents, pin cherries and more from the members of this Association.

100 mile Manitoba

Organic Producers Association of Manitoba

Local grocers carry New Bothwell Cheese, Loveday Mushrooms, and Peak of the Market produce, all of which is Manitoban.

Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled on the highways during your summer travels as many farms have stands in their yards and towns have daily or weekend farmers market . Buying local is easy and affordable. Are you going to give ot a try?

Image sources: Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company, Jeanette Greaves flickr 

How is summer in your region of Canada? Summer in Manitoba is awesome! We will pretend that the sweltering heat and humidity, mosquitoes at dawn and dusk and the wasps of August do not exist. May has begun beautifully, the winds are warm, the air is fresh, the sun is shining and  the water is going down. Soon our small little ‘Island' will be available to the rest of Manitoba once again. If you must wait until the playoffs are over I understand, you may stay behind, but everyone else lets go.

Dust off your super-duper-green-machine and give it a spring tune up! Your bicycle is not only a carbon free way to scoot about town but is great exercise. Where to start well you can get a spring tune up at a bike shop starting at around $25.00 but if you are a diy type of person here is a spring tune up how-to. If you are like me and are without a super-duper-green-machine, don't be alarmed, Buy Canadian First members Guru are here to help. Whether you are looking for a road bike for racing, custom design triathlon bike, a mountain bike to fly, jump and race the mountain trails, or an urban bike to tour throughout the city, one of these Canadian bicycle manufactures has the perfect fit for you.

The regular Joe may not need special shoes or clothing to go for their bike rides but everyone should protect their head from injury with a helmet. If you are uncertain of how to choose and wear a helmet here's a little help from the nation's Capitol city.

I love the water but am a little leery of boating and envy those who seem to be at ease in their sea legs. Despite my apprehension I still enjoy being near the water splashing in a cool lake and enjoy the songs of the wetland at dusk. Water is everywhere in Canada and it is highly probable that no country in the world has as much of its surface area covered by freshwater as does Canada, we also can't forget our 3 oceans that surround our borders. With all this water in abundance it is understandable why canoes and kayaks have a rich history in Canada, as shown in this book entitled The Canoe, by John Jennings (Buy Canadian First member Bear Mountain Boats).

Seaward Kayaks have a great collection of Kevlar, fibreglass and thermoform suited for the beginner hobbyist or the seasoned kayaker, Seaward has shown excellence for over 2 decades. Whether you wish to travel in twos or with whole family, have a look at Buy Canadian First member Clipper Canoe as they have the products to fit your needs. Clipper Canoe makes of over 30 styles of canoes, both big (up to 12 meters) and small; you can customize the colours and accessories of your canoe.

 

Where there is water there must be safety and awareness. Salus Marine, another wonderful member, is the maker of PFDs (personal flotation devices) or life jackets has the Gjoa Kayak Sports Vest, Nimbus Children's Vest, Comfort Fit Life Vests and even one for you dog. All of their vests are designed to protect and save lives so be sure you and loved ones are wearing them on your boating adventures. Please visit the Salus Marine website to browse though all their products.

Get out and get moving with the supplies made by innovative, smart and respected Canadian companies. They are giving us the tools to create our own amazing summer adventures. If you're still watching Hockey, ahh well, there'll still be plenty of summer left when the season is done. 

What is your great summer adventure planned for 2009?

Here in Manitoba the threat of emergency has, for the most part, abated. The flood waters have ravaged communities across the Red River valley and to the north into the interlake area, people are taking stock of the damage or are grateful to have stayed safe.

Now Manitobans are waiting. Waiting for the waters to recede so the highways can open up, linking our individual communities once again and waiting for the ennui to pass. Canada is not immune to natural hazzards like, ice storms, rock slides, earthquakes  and more but now there is alarming news of a possible (global) pandemic  a unique influenza strain that has been dubbed the Influenza A (H1N1), keeps the nation's curiosity piqued. There is always a possibility of a disaster or an emergency occurring at any given moment how prepared are you?

The news is all buzz with the Influenza A(H1N1) (formerly known as the swine flu) that on April 29, 2009 was upgraded to a level five risk (a pandemic is looming and countries must confirm preparations to deal with the outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) with the World Health Organization (WHO). On occasion pigs will pass a virus to a human and then it is possible that the virus will mutate into a strain that is easily passed from person to person. Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the regular precautions against this or any other flu; wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or in the crook of your elbow and stay home if you are ill. If you are feeling sick, especially with respitory symtoms like difficulty breathing and coughing, contact your doctor. In the meantime give your immune system a little boost with a great diet, proper rest and drink lot's of water.

What if a pandemic or a natural hazzard keeps us from leaving the house? Have you seen the "72 Hours.....is your family prepared?" campaign? Launched by Canada's public safety minister The Honourable Peter Van Loan it is ‘designed to improve Canada's readiness to prepare for and respond to an emergency by mobilizing families to take three practical steps'; Know the risks, make a plan, and get a kit.

1) Know the Risks. Canada is a huge country and it is important to know what kind of natural hazard can occur in your region and be prepared for it. Being prepared makes all the difference for both the health and safety of your family and the teams coming out to help.

2) In case of emergency remember the plan! Every Canadian household should have an emergency plan stating what to do incase of emergency. Details like safe escapes from your home and neighborhood, a safe meeting place and the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain all need to be addressed and known. The plan can be completed online or printed and completed in pen.

3) Get a kit. Being prepared and secure for 72 hours (3 days) is vital so that you are able to sustain yourself while emergency workers are aiding people who are in need of urgent care. Your basic kit should contain; 2 liters of water per person per day, non-perishable food items for everyone, manual can opener, batteries and flashlight, windup or battery powered radio, first aid kit, special needed items (medicinal needs, baby items, etc.), extra keys for your house and car, your emergency plan and Cash as ATM and credit cards may not function. The idea is to try and have your kit in a bag in case you have to leave the house. A backpack is ideal. It is recommended to include these items, like candles and clothing as well but you can also buy ready made kits that you can later customize to your family's needs.

Get on board! Be prepared and feel safe and at ease, even in an emergency.

Today we are highlighting and celebrating another Buy Canadian First member and announcing our second giveaway (more on that at the end of this post).

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Aroma Crystal Therapy was founded by Jane Janzen in 1989. This is when she opened a stand at the renowned Salt Spring Saturday farmer's market in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Using her knowledge of natural plant elements, tinctures and bio-electric technologies she was inspired to create alternative body care products. This was so her family could have access to safe and clean, natural products. Aroma Crystal Therapy is now well known in both Canada and the United States.

The goal of Aroma Crystal Therapy is to create balance and abundance by supporting health and well-being. This is done by using energetically enhanced aromatherapy products. They use only 100% pure essential oils, and the finest plant extracts. Their products are manufactured in Vancouver, B.C. under the strict guidelines of GMP and Health Canada. 

Here are a few of the wonderful products that Aroma Crystal Therapy has to offer.

Gardener's Dream Cream is a great product to use year round. Especially at this time of year, we are working outside and can end up with rough, dry and irritated skin. It is made with essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary - each with its own health benefits. Oils such as shea butter, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil all benefit the skin as well.

Our lips can suffer and get neglected and chapped year round.  Aroma Crystal Therapy has Crystal Clear Lip Saver to help alleviate dry, chapped lips.

Mother's Day is fast approaching. How about giving mom an Aroma Crystal Therapy gift basket filled with luxurious products.

You can learn more by visiting Aroma Crystal Therapy's Member profile page here. Have you tried their products? If you have, leave us a comment here but don't forget to rate and review the products you have tried in the catalogue!

And now for the fun part! The Giveaway! The good people at Aroma Crystal Therapy have created a gift basket for us to give as a prize to one of our lucky readers!

The basket includes:

• A 6 oz. tube of Gardener's Dream Cream - The award-winning Gardener's Dream Cream is made from 100% natural ingredients and pure essential oils and combines the benefits of vibrational and aroma therapy.  It provides amazing moisturizing for all skin types and so much more. Customer's have used Gardener's Dream Cream for weird rashes, muscle & joint pain, edema, skin conditions and soothing massages.
• A jar of Ohm - Ohm is a naturally nourishing, rich facial moisturizer which protects the skin and promotes a youthful complexion. Ohm acts as an effective barrier against pollutants and toxins that dry and age skin. The fragrant formula promotes circulation and helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles with the power of 100% pure essential oils and extracts.
• 5 sample packages of the Gardener's Dream Cream.

What do you have to do to be eligible? You must leave a comment below, answering the following question: "What kind of Canadian-made products do you purchase the most and why?" and we kindly ask that you do as many of the things that are listed on the Get Involved page as you can. We cannot stress enough that without the support of consumers like you and of manufacturers and retailers like our members, we would not and could not exist. Please spread the word: Buying Canadian-made is everyone's business!

We will announce the winner next Friday, May 15th 2009.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.