Local foods -- Ontario -- Peterborough

Since the Seasoned Spoon started in February of 2003, it has had a major food storage challenge. It has had very limited and inadequate space to store and preserve food. This lack of storage and preservation methods has impeded the Seasoned Spoon from providing as much locally grown, organic and affordable food as possible - as outlined in the Seasoned Spoon mandate. In locating areas for the Seasoned Spoon to store its food and in understanding and undertaking other food preservation methods, the Seasoned Spoon will further be able to contribute to the underlying goals of a sustainable food system.

Locally sourced food is a more sustainable, more ecologically friendly alternative to mainstream methods such as buying through a large scale food distribution wholesaler. Accessing local producers affords the buyer a greater degree of power over how their produce is grown, harvested, stored and transported and so on. When interacting with a producer, buyers have options; they may purchase food once its harvested, at a farmers market, roadside stand or at a retailer.

The project involved the Festival of Trees and how to "green" it with sustainable practices for the following year. Since the Festival beneficiaries are healthcare organizations, it was even more imperative that they promote and exercise healthy and sustainable practices. The "greening" process began in 2006 with a focus on waste reduction. The Preview Gala was examined and it was attempted to locally source the food and beverages served at this event.