Eat even more locally in September

This text is part of the special Plaisirs booklet

If the pandemic has brought more than its share of challenges, at least one positive point emerges: “I think that we can affirm that the health crisis has refocused the eyes of consumers on the local economy, underlines Camille Tremblay-Lalancette,” interregional coordinator of the 100% local Challenge. Even more, the pandemic has made us worry about where our food comes from. “

According to the Madelinot coordinator, the Challenge is more relevant than ever. Everywhere, she notes, we are more interested in self-production of food, we look for local products, we go to public markets, we subscribe to baskets of fruit and vegetables from market gardeners in our regions. This enthusiasm is also felt in the number of registrations for the 100% local Challenge, which is increasing year after year.

But is it possible to eat 100% locally all year round in Quebec? “From the outset, I would like to say that the 100% local challenge bears this name since we want to strive for the most local food possible! It is mainly a vision, answers Camille Tremblay-Lalancette. On the other hand, I believe that it is possible to eat 100% locally with Quebec products, all year round, with preparation and passion. “

Organized by the Regroupement des tables de concertation bioalimentaire du Québec (TCBQ), the Challenge offers tools throughout September to participants, publishes content on social media, articles and recipes. on his website and a weekly newsletter so that there is a real impact on their habits.

Search by supply departments

In the spirit of the Challenge, we try in particular to obtain supplies as close to home as possible by using the search by “supply departments”.

And what does that mean, concretely?

If you have a vegetable garden, these vegetables are undoubtedly the most local. However, few people are able to grow, for example, their wheat, then grind it and thus cook with their 100% local flour, illustrates the coordinator. For what we do not produce in our yard, we try to get it as close as possible anyway. “Is there a flour mill in your area?” Here is ! There are not any ? Do not deprive yourself of flour to “respect” your challenge, but see a little bigger… the neighboring region? Always not ? There is a flour mill somewhere in Quebec waiting for you to discover its products. It is up to you to widen the “rays” of your research to try to find more local alternatives to the products that you or your region do not produce! “

Camille Tremblay-Lalancette also reminds that preparation and respect for seasonality are key, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables. “The internet is full of conservation stuff,” she adds. We often forget it, but our grandparents were locavores champions! They knew how to produce and garner like no one else! Times have changed, but why not reconnect with certain skills? ”

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