I’m sure you’ve all heard wonderfully colourful stories from your grandparents. You know the ones about walking 10 kms to school, up hill, both ways. I love hearing those tales and I’m lucky enough in my family to have heard many. The stories I hear are about large French Canadian families where farming was a large part of their history. It was not only just their livelihood, but also their survival. I’ve also been told this is why I have so many aunts and uncles… the more children in a family, the better to help on the farm!

So as we celebrate World food day, I’m nostalgic as I read that this year’s theme:  Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth!

Did you know there are over 570 million farms in the world of which over 500 millions are family owned? I didn’t…but what I do know is that family farming is linked to food security both in developing and developed countries.

We are fortunate to still have local farms and farmers markets here in Halton.  So why should you care about buying local?

• Local fruit and vegetables are as fresh as it gets!
• Picking your own fruit and vegetables are great exercise.
• Buying products close to home is good for the environment.
• It supports the local economy and helps keep farms in business; it also creates jobs.
• Farms and farmers’ markets are vibrant, lively places to socialize and learn.

So as the older generation’s voice may start to fade with time, it’s important to keep their stories alive by sharing them with your kids. Today is a great day to talk about access to food and instil the appreciation of locally grown food. Perhaps you can start the conversation at the dinner table tonight or better yet… enjoy a local farm this weekend. The Halton pumpkin trail will help you and your family enjoy the beautiful changing fall colours, savour the aromas of local seasonal cuisine, participate in pumpkin themed activities and connect with local farmers. Check out our 2015 Halton Pumpkin Trail today!

Have you visited a farm or farmers market lately?

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For parenting information or to speak with a Public Health Nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000.