As we near the end of our 100 days of local eating, I can’t help my excitement about the olive oil and almonds and a few other things that I’m going to add back to my diet. I’m also planning to dine at our local Indian restaurant soon … very soon. But I’m also excited by some other plans. Our family Thanksgiving is Monday, technically day 101, or “the day after”. I’m to prepare a vegetable dish so I automatically started thinking about all of the local fresh produce that I’ll need for it. Of course, I don’t have to do 100-mile, but, really why wouldn’t I? I’m going to the market anyway, and I’ve become familiar with the venders there and local food tastes better, etc., etc.

Awesome! Momentum is there, connections have been made, habits have been formed. It’s obvious to me now, the many great reasons to buy local will still be directing my behaviour even after the 100 days are over. And that’s a sentiment I’ve heard time and again from other 100-milers, too. People are committed -- many folks will continue to eat locally and build on this summer’s experience.

In fact, I’m still getting emails from people announcing upcoming events about local foods and food security. Tony from the World Wildlife Fund told me about Localicious, a WWF program where participating restaurants in Toronto (and other Canadian cities) offer local menu items from October 2-18.

Lori Strothard passed on information about the upcoming Food Summit in Kitchener, November 16th and 17th: What are we doing about the hidden hunger in our community. Free, but limited seating.

Melissa Baer of Vibrant Farms gave me details of the new Farmers’ Market in uptown Waterloo Public Square (in front of Shoppers Drug Mart). Thursdays 4-8 pm, for the next 2 weeks, and will restart again in the spring. It is a market for producers and creators only. There is a website under construction at the moment: www.waterloofarmmarket.ca. Soon, there will be more information on Melissa’s website.

Other upcoming food related events include the monthly seminars that are part of the Waterloo Region Foodsystem Roundtable’s Healthy Food System Series

The next two seminars:

What's on the Label? What's on your Plate?
Tuesday, October 27, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Join the discussion as we learn about misleading labels and signs on our food products. Local food activist John McVicar reveals label shortcomings and advises vigilance when making your purchases at the grocery store. Heather Harding, project coordinator with Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, explains why you may not be pouring much Ontario pinot noir into your glass even though the wine says "product of Canada."

Fair Trade in the Waterloo Region and Internationally
Tuesday, November 24, 7-9pm, Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Sean Zister, owner of Seven Shores Urban Market & Café, will speak on the Impact Fair Trade has with Local and International Producers. What does Fair Trade mean? Can you make a difference? Did you know: 8% of Ontario Farmers are under the age of 35 … if farmers don’t get a fair price for their products, who is going to take over their operations?

And for those who aren’t aware, here is information about Vandana Shiva’s upcoming talk at UW:

The UW Hagey Lecture Series
with the support of Alternatives Journal and WPIRG
presents the 2009 Hagey Lecture

Vandana Shiva: Earth Democracy
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities, University of Waterloo

Free lecture, no ticket required, all welcome.


So congratulations! Almost there! And thanks to everyone who helped make this such a rich and rewarding experience! Feel good that the effort you all put in had a ripple effect on the whole community. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Michael