Eating Canadian

[300Sniper]

Came across this on Facebook and thought some of you might find it interesting.

Last year I did my 1st garden while hunting and fishing makes up about 25% of our family meat diet.

Anyways, have a look see .... https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10150582507585605

[TurkeyRookie]

We import almost all of our fruit

In the words of one of my co workers "I'll believe in global warming, when we start growing oranges in Edmonton, in January"

[GoldenLakePete]

It is disgusting that so much Ontario farmland has been gobbled up by the GTA!

[300Sniper]

It is disgusting that so much Ontario farmland has been gobbled up by the GTA!

People need to live somewhere Pete. It's unfortunate but "it is what it is" and no way to get around it or prevent it from continuing to happen. There are lots of farm rich communities in rural Ontario away from the masses.

Here's the issue I have when going to the grocery store.... I can buy a tomato from Ontario for $1 or I can buy a tomato from Mexico for $.50 (Just rough numbers) Why the heck does something that was grown down the road from me cost twice as much as the same thing that was grown 5,000 miles away and shipped across an entire continent?

I'm all for people making money but I'm also all for people saving money. If I just buy the 1 tomato a week than $.50 might not be a big deal but if I spend $30 a week on imported fruits and vegetables would I be willing to spend an extra $30 to buy locally grown stuff? That remains a big question and only the guy buying the produce can make that decision...

[FishFrenzy]

People need to live somewhere Pete. It's unfortunate but "it is what it is" and no way to get around it or prevent it from continuing to happen. There are lots of farm rich communities in rural Ontario away from the masses.

Here's the issue I have when going to the grocery store.... I can buy a tomato from Ontario for $1 or I can buy a tomato from Mexico for $.50 (Just rough numbers) Why the heck does something that was grown down the road from me cost twice as much as the same thing that was grown 5,000 miles away and shipped across an entire continent?

I'm all for people making money but I'm also all for people saving money. If I just buy the 1 tomato a week than $.50 might not be a big deal but if I spend $30 a week on imported fruits and vegetables would I be willing to spend an extra $30 to buy locally grown stuff? That remains a big question and only the guy buying the produce can make that decision...

In short NAFTA. No taxes / tariffs levied on products from Mexico, and labour costs are almost non-existent. They also don't have the same health codes, building codes, WSIB, fuel taxes, overhead storage costs, ect... that drive up costs for Ontario farmers / producers, wholesalers, ect..

To make a profit as a farmer / producer / wholesaler in Ontario with our shorter growing season / higher costs you need to charge much more.

(I'm sure you know this and just want to vent though )
FishFrenzy

[300Sniper]

In short NAFTA. No taxes / tariffs levied on products from Mexico, and labour costs are almost non-existent. They also don't have the same health codes, building codes, WSIB, fuel taxes, overhead storage costs, ect... that drive up costs for Ontario farmers / producers, wholesalers, ect..

To make a profit as a farmer / producer / wholesaler in Ontario with our shorter growing season / higher costs you need to charge much more.

(I'm sure you know this and just want to vent though )
FishFrenzy

:-)

Yes, just think it`s tough for the local guys to compete. I don`t know much about the farming business, but it would be easier to buy locally if prices were comparable. I now have a very successful 1 year of gardening underneath my belt lol so I`m not as affected...

[fishy steve]

that family in alberta also saved money on bug bed pesticides... didnt turn out so well... id also be worried about that tomatoe from mexico, what was it exposed to... just sayin...

[slickfly]

I thought this topic was going to be about eating Canadians...I'm sure they'd taste good with all the sugar from maple syrup and the double doubles!

[Wahoo]

Yes, just think it`s tough for the local guys to compete. I don`t know much about the farming business, but it would be easier to buy locally if prices were comparable. I now have a very successful 1 year of gardening underneath my belt lol so I`m not as affected...

When Ontario or Canadian products are in season, they're competitively priced. And some products that can handle storage well, (like potatoes, onions, carrots, apples) are decently priced year round.

One of the benefits of so much imported food is just that, a greater variety and choice YEAR ROUND. To be honest, I find the choices (and prices) in just about any store, amazing.

[mosquito]

This time of year especially the Ontario tomatoes and cucumbers are grown in Leamington in greenhouses. The costs to just heat and water the produce are huge, just look at your water, your electric and your gas bill then start multiplying by BIG numbers!

http://www.ontariogreenhouse.com/


but for how long will they continue???
Why a Leamington greenhouse is investing $200M in Ohio
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windso...ohio-1.2917918
"Rather than deal with and pay rising electricity costs in Ontario, the greenhouse will be partnering with a steel manufacturer in an effort to lessen cost of power"
..
“It is definitely a loss and a significant loss to Leamington, Ontario and Canada.”



During season farmers markets are the place to go.
http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/

The costs will be higher just due to the cost of living here and the size of the farms and the market but the food is fresher and I find much better.

As for Oranges..... The Orri and Jaffa oranges are in some stores now and I look forward to them every year! But at global temperature change averaging 1 degree in just over 100 years.... I'm not waiting for them to be grown here. There are however small ones that if you have a large enough house and sun can be grown here according to the owner at my local Garden Gallery.