Shop in-Season and Local

Food production and transportation are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. One way you can reduce your carbon footprint related to your food consumption is by shopping for the season and shopping locally. This means eating fruits and vegetables that are in-season in your local environment and purchasing as many of your foods from local vendors as possible.

In August, fruits that are in-season in Ontario include apples, blueberries, peaches, grapes, raspberries, watermelons and many others. In-season vegetables at this time of year include broccoli, corn, cucumber, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and many others. Check out this resource from Foodland Ontario to see the complete list of fruits and vegetables and when they are in-season.

By purchasing your fruits and vegetables at farmers markets or other local vendors, you are not only helping to support the local economy, but the GHG emissions associated with the transportation of that food is significantly lower than if purchasing the out of season fruit at the grocery store that must be brought to Muskoka from another region, country or even continent. Eating local in-season fruits and vegetables means that the food can be sourced locally so rather than being transported from Mexico or Spain (for example), it can be brought to Muskoka from Niagara (for example), or even closer like local farms in Muskoka.

When purchasing your fruits and veggies, always do your best to purchase Ontario grown produce. This shift will likely not cost you any more money but will immediately reduce the GHG emissions resulting from your food consumption. Be a conscious consumer and help do your part to reduce your GHG emissions!

Resources:

https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide

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