Is Canadian Produce the Best?
A lot of people ask me if it’s better to buy vegetables and fruits that have been grown in our country, Canada. My short response is, yes, buying Canadian produce is better!
Even though it is sometimes cheaper to buy products grown in other countries, it’s often healthier to buy produce home grown in Canada, and more specifically, the province you live in if possible.
3 Reasons Why You Should Buy Canadian Produce
- Better taste & quality.
Produce grown close to home is sweeter, juicer, crisper. Home grown foods are harvested during seasonal peaks so they contain more nutrients. This food ripens in fields naturally without chemicals. In comparison, a lot of produce shipped from thousands of miles away artificially ripens on the trucks it arrives in, using ethylene gas. - Better pesticides control.
Food safety regulations may not be as stringent in other countries. In Canada, pesticides undergo an extensive review and approval before they can be used. Health Canada has hundreds of scientists constantly reviewing new pesticides and re-evaluating existing ones. Many pesticides take at least ten years to obtain approval. I trust the Canadian produce regulations more than many other countries. - Support your local economy and the environment.
Help local farmers in your area prosper, so they are able to maintain their land for farming versus having to sell the land to building contractors. Now is the perfect time of year to buy local, as most of our Canadian produce ripens from July through to October. I love heading to my local farmer’s market when I’m in town on the weekends. Buying produce locally also helps protect the environment by reducing gas emissions required to transport foods far distances.
To Sum it up…
It’s clear to see that buying local Canadian produce has many benefits. It’s tastier and healthier, containing more nutrients, and it’s often more regulated from a pesticide perspective. Buying local also helps us support our neighboring communities and the environment. With so much of our Canadian produce ripening from July through to October, now’s the perfect time to buy locally in Ontario! Please share below, where your favourite farmer’s market is.