Buy organic when you can

When you buy organic food, you’re supporting a farmer who uses natural methods to control pests and increase soil fertility. Organic food contains no residual pesticides or chemicals from fertilizers. Organic food tastes better. Compare a conventionally farmed carrot and an organic carrot. Wow, what a difference!

Buy local when you can

When you buy food that has been grown locally, you’re supporting local farmers and creating demand for what they grow. You’re buying food that hasn’t traveled very far (reducing pollution from transport) and eating food that’s in season.

Buy fair trade when you can

When you buy fairly traded food, you’re supporting a producer who farms sustainably, maintains fair labour practices, and received a fair price for the product.

Here are a few other things you can do:

• Read the labels – know what’s in your food
• Learn to cook from scratch – It’s not as difficult or time consuming as you might imagine, and the results are waaaay healthier than over-processed foods.
• Share this video and this website.
• Organize a film night - we have some great films available through USC Canada, just contact us for details.
• Support small-scale farmers around the world – Donate to USC Canada.

Hungry for More?

Check out these links/Resources

• Food Secure Canada
• Slow Food
• ETC Group
• Union Paysanne
• Via Campesina
• Food First
• Seeds of Diversity
• Equiterre cooking tips
• Eat Well Guide – Find Good Food (Canada and US)
• Beyond Factory Farming

Community Supported Agriculture

A CSA-operated farm distributes its products to local area members on a shared basis. Members usually receive a box of seasonal, local produce each week, with amounts varying depending on the progress of the growing season. A CSA is a great way to support your local farmer and ensure you eat fresh local produce throughout the season!

Interested in becoming a shareholder in a CSA? Here are some resources to help you find a CSA farm in your area. You’ll also see a few links to help you find local farmers’ markets:

Atlantic provinces

• Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN): A searchable database of Atlantic provinces organic farms and CSAs.
• Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia offers a list of farmers’ markets throughout the province.

Quebec

• Equiterrre – CSA farm database (in French only). Be sure to take a look around their website for tips, campaigns, a fair trade directory, and a list of CSA farms.
• Association des marchés publiques du Québec – For a list of farmers markets throughout the province.

Ontario

• Ontario CSA Directory – a searchable database of CSA farmers in Ontario.
• Farmers’ Markets Ontario

Manitoba

• Farmers’ Markets Association of Manitoba
• The CSA Farm Directory lists Manitoba Community Supported Agriculture farms.
• Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives online directories

Saskatchewan

• Etomami Community Organic (ECO) Farm – one of the only CSA farms in Saskatchewan with an online presence.
• A short directory of farmers’ markets in Saskatchewan is available here.

Alberta

• Community Supported Agriculture in Alberta offers a list of CSA farms sorted by region.
• Albert Farmers’ Market Association has a searchable database of farmers’ markets.
• Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association also offers a listing of farms that sell directly to the consumer.

British Columbia

• Farm Folk City Folk offers this BC CSA list.
• BC Association of Farmers’ Markets has tools for locating farmers’ markets in BC.