1. Learn What’s in SeasonKnowing which local foods are in season will help you know what to look for at the farmers’ market or grocery store. Experiment with local foods that you don’t normally eat. Visit Root Cellars Rock for lots of local food resources.www.rootcellarsrock.ca

2. Find a Farm or Local Food RetailerNL Farm Guidewww.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/publications/agrifoods/nl_farm_guide.pdfRoot Cellars Rock Local Food Links www.rootcellarsrock.caBuy Local! Buy Fresh! Avalon Map avalonfresh.caKeep it in Kittiwakewww.kittiwake.nf.caACORN NL (Organic Farms)acornnl.wordpress.com

3. Visit a Farmers’ MarketFarmers’ markets are growing across the province. More than just a place to find local meat and vegetables, they are community centres where people gather to socialize, eat, hold workshops, and celebrate local food. See the Food Security Initiative Inventory to find a farmers’ market near you. www.foodsecuritynews.com/resources

4. Join a Community Supported Agriculture ProgramCustomers commit up front for an entire season and in return the farmer provides a weekly box of fresh produce and preserves. The produce varies according to what’s available. It’s a great way to give farmers more financial security.

5. Start GardeningIf you don’t have space for a garden in your own yard, try growing some fresh herbs in a window, or join a community garden. Use the Food Security Initiative Inventory (www.foodsecuritynews.com/resources) to find a community garden in your area. Visit Root Cellars Rock (www.rootcellarsrock.ca) for gardening tips and workshop kits on gardening topics.

6. Go Berry PickingThere are many edible wild berries in the province. A U-Pick, where you pick your produce yourself, is a great way to get some berries that aren’t as common in the wild. Use 2. Find a Farm or Local Food Retailer to find a berry U-Pick near you. Use the Edible Wild Plants Workshop to learn about edible berries and plants at www.rootcellarsrock.ca/workshops

7. Wild HarvestingHunting, fishing, and trapping are traditional ways we have acquired local food. Visit the Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division for information about licences. www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife

8. Preserve the HarvestThere are many ways to preserve fresh, local food. Cellaring, cold storage, bottling, freezing, pickling, salting, drying, and fermenting are all ways you can preserve local vegetables and fruit for months. For resources see the Root Cellars Rock Canning/Bottling Workshop (www.rootcellarsrock.ca/workshops).

9. Support Restaurants That Source Local FoodA growing number of restaurants are choosing to support local farmers and fish harvesters, or even grow their own vegetables and herbs in a restaurant garden. Ask your favourite restaurant to source locally, or visit the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s eDining site to find restaurants in your area that serve local food. nl.edining.ca

10. Sprout!Seeds such as lentils, peas, alfalfa, sunflower, and broccoli can all be sprouted to make delicious fresh greens all year long in your own kitchen. Visit Root Cellars Rock for sprouting resources.www.rootcellarsrock.ca

10 Ways to Eat Local Food

Food Security means that all people at all times have physical & economic access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods.

Contact FSN for more information on how you can take action.www.foodsecuritynews.com

What Challenges Do We Face in Newfoundland & Labrador?

• Producing only 10% of fresh vegetables• 2 - 3 day supply of fresh vegetables• Average age of farmers in the province is 55 • Difficult to access local seafood• Lowest consumption of fresh vegetables in

Canada• Highest rate of food bank usage in Canada• Highest rate of obesity in Canada• Second highest rate of diabetes in Canada

Join Us to Take ActionThe Food Security Network NL is a provincial non-profit organization that promotes community-based solutions to increase access to healthy food for all.

We support and work with community kitchens, farmers’ markets, community gardens, bulk buying clubs, and other community driven initiatives to improve local food security.

Visit our website to learn more and get involved.

Connect With Local FoodAcross NL!

www.rootcellarsrock.ca

• The Four P’s of Local Food: Planting, Picking, Pre-paring, and Preserving

• Gardening, wild foods, events• Local food recipes and resources• Q&A forum

Our ResourcesMonthly E-NewsNews, events, funding and volunteer opportunities.

Best Practices ToolkitsStep-by-step guides to start a community garden, farmers’ market, community kitchen, or bulk buying club.

Provincial Food Security TeleconferencesProvincial discussions and presentations on food security topics. Visit our website for archived presentations.

Food Security Initiative InventoryAn online directory of meal programs, community gardens, community kitchens, bulk buying clubs, farmers’ markets, local farms, and more.

www.foodsecuritynews.com