New Maps Unveiled at Elmira Farmers’ Market May 23

Waterloo Region - Asparagus is ready! Another sure sign of spring in Waterloo Region is the launch of Foodlink’s Buy Local! Buy Fresh! campaign. Each year Foodlink engages the community in an exploration of available local food and creates a connection to our farm roots through a variety of exciting projects and events.

To kick off the season and their 2009 Campaign, Foodlink will be launching the much-anticipated Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map. The handy year-round guide makes it easier than ever to buy and eat fresh, healthy local food in Waterloo Region and environs. The annual publication directs people to 75 local farms as well as farmers markets and other businesses that produce and sell local foods.

Foodlink invites members of the public to attend the launch of its 2009 Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map which will take place at the Elmira Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 23. Join us at the market located outside in the parking lot of the Home Hardware, Church St. W. 10:00 am to noon.

Each year the launch takes place in a different location. “The Elmira Farmers’ Market is a true gem in our community where everything, without exception, is grown or produced by locals,” says Anna Contini, Foodlink Project Coordinator. “The 100-mile diet has become synonymous with local eating but in this community we are fortunate to have fresh food even closer at hand—the Elmira Farmers’ Market is actually a 10-mile diet!” says Contini. It takes place runs every Saturday morning from May to October and features a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, preserves, maple syrup, jams and home baked goods. Of course, fresh delicious asparagus will be among the product offerings.

Free copies of the new map will be available and representatives of Foodlink will be on hand throughout the morning. The first 100 customers will also receive a reusable Buy Local! Buy Fresh! market bag to fill up with local fare.

Foodlink’s Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map is part of a larger campaign made up of events and initiatives that champion local food and local farms. This includes Taste Local! Taste Fresh!, the Region’s premiere culinary showcase which will take place in St. Jacobs this September. In addition, Foodlink is also about to launch a brand new website (www.foodlink.ca) which combines comprehensive food information with the province’s most advanced local food mapping technology.

Foodlink Waterloo Region is an award-winning non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to creating a healthy local food system. The group is made up of farms, food processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants and other community stakeholders. Foodlink has been making the local food connection in Waterloo Region since 2002. Buy Local! Buy Fresh! programs have been made possible in 10 counties in Ontario thanks to Foodlink’s expertise and resources.

Copies of the new 2009 Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map are free and available at all public libraries across the Region, as well as selected food retailers, restaurants, markets and other local businesses. A full listing of available locations can be found at www.foodlink.ca.