Aramark will be supplying locally sourced, organic food for purchase for lunch and dinner at the cafeteria located on the second floor of Gzowkski College. It is “all-you-can-eat” style, with some of the stations being locally sourced for that day. There will be signs posted to indicate these stations.

The Seasoned Spoon, the student-run on campus cafe will be catering the evening portion of the event with some of their delicious home-made organic treats, fruit, tea and coffee. These are provided free of charge for all attendants.

Why Eat Local?

The food we eat travels further than ever before. One study estimated that a basic North American meal travels 2,400 km from field to table-roughly the driving distance from Regina to Toronto! Transporting foods increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutes our air.

Since shipping food long distances requires packaging and chemical treatments to prevent rotting and over-ripening, buying locally grown helps reduce the waste, energy and materials needed in this process.

Buying locally grown fruits and veggies also helps conserve precious farmlands and wildlife habitats. In Canada, the best agricultural land is located near our largest cities. Keeping these areas in production conserves fertile land and preserves biological diversity for the future.

For more information about why we should eat locally and tips on how to do it, visit David Suzuki's site.

Ten Reasons to Buy Local Food

1. Locally grown food tastes better
2. Local produce is better for you
3. Local food preserves genetic diversity
4. Local food is GMO-free
5. Local food supports local farm families
6. Local food builds community
7. Local food preserves open space
8. Local food keeps your taxes in check
9. Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife
10. Local food is about the future

For explanations of each point, visit the Appalacian Sustainable Agriculture Project's website.