One of the best things about summer is being able to cook and eat outdoors — there’s no better way to enjoy the great-tasting, high-quality food grown and raised in Canada. The movement to eat local has become mainstream, as people strive to boost their health with nourishing foods, eat more sustainably, and support Canadian farmers. Your clients will be looking for ideas and inspiration. Here are three ways you can help! 

1. Highlight wholesome Canadian ingredients. 

Year-round, we have access to an astonishing variety of nourishing, locally produced foods. Your clients want to eat well and put Canada on the menu.  You can help them to do both.  

Encourage your clients to follow these healthy plate proportions featuring naturally nutrient-rich Canadian foods: 

  • 1/2 veggies/fruit (Canadian sweet potatoes, berries, kale, peaches)  
  • 1/4 quality protein (Canadian fish, eggs, beef, poultry, lentils, beans)  
  • 1/4 whole grains (Canadian barley, quinoa, oats) 

Share simple meal ideas that help them put that into practice. Here are some examples: 

  1. Beef-and-veggie kebabs over quinoa with a bagged salad. 
  1. One-pot chickpea-veggie curry with whole-grain pita wedges. 
  1. Grilled Margherita pizza with a veggie-packed bean salad.  
  1. Egg tacos, prepared coleslaw (try adding apple slices) and berry smoothies.  
  1. Pan-fried rainbow trout over couscous with a simply dressed arugula salad and smashed garlicky red potatoes. 

TIP: Transparency about where and how food is produced matters to your clients. Direct them to Canadian Food Focus, a trusted source of information on Canadian food and farming.  

2. Celebrate Food Day Canada on July 31. 

The late Anita Stewart, Canada’s Food Laureate, created this celebration to show support for struggling Canadian beef farmers back in 2003. She recognized beef as an iconic Canadian food, raised with pride. From there, the movement took off, and it now represents all wholesome Canadian-grown and raised foods coast to coast.  

TIP: On July 31, join the celebration on social media using the hashtag #FoodDayCanada, or find out what it means to shop, cook and dine Canadian at FoodDayCanada.ca.  

3. Encourage clients to buy Canadian often. 

Thanks to our farmers, the COVID-19 crisis did not turn into a food crisis. The pandemic has motivated people to buy Canadian more often as a way to show gratitude to farmers and to ensure that our agriculture sector remains resilient and well supported.  

TIP: Product of Canada means that all (or nearly all) of a food was produced or raised by farmers in Canada.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol Harrison is a registered dietitian who loves her daily workouts! She has a food nutrition communications company in Toronto. Follow Carol on Twitter and Instagram.