I had originally written this article with summer in mind. I have decided to keep it and adapt it as a holiday article because the information is both valuable and relevant.
Eating sustainably anytime of the year is easy for us Vancouverites because of the vast variety of locally grown produce available. During the holiday months we can enjoy fruits such as apples and pears and vegetables such as squash and brussel sprouts. You can see a complete list of locally available produce by going to the Get Local BC website.
Other ways to eat more sustainably is to eat less meat and incorporate more vegetable and legumes into your diet, as well as choose "green list" (sustainable) seafood choices.
Which is a more eco-friendly decision; purchasing foods that are local or foods that are organic?
The answer to this question is still up for debate, but the conclusion that we at Park Royal have come to is that they are both great. When purchasing local produce or locally made food products you're helping to eliminate the carbon emissions that would have been used in the shipping process. You're also supporting your local farms and businesses, which in turn helps to create a more sustainable economy. When you purchase organic products you are helping to eliminate the negative environmental impact created by the pesticides and fertilizers used in the growing of those products. Best case scenario; buy local organic or just do your best by choosing one of the two options.
Quick tips:
- Take some time to familiarize yourself with the local produce and food products that are available at your regular grocery or produce store. Having the knowledge will help you create menus and inspire you to get creative with your meal planning.
- Don't get frustrated if everything you need to purchase isn't local and/or organic, just do what you can. If half of the food or produce you purchase is local and/or organic, you're doing 50% better than you were before.
- A great way to enjoy the locally available produce is by picking it yourself. Plan a family day vegetable picking at the many farms located in and around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Check out these stores at Park Royal to find everything you need for sustainable food purchasing:
Whole Foods is considered the Mecca for sustainable grocery shopping. Extra Foods also carries a large variety of local and/or organic foods. Shoppers Drug Mart carries their own line of organic food products. Also, the Market at Park Royal offers a wide selection of locally sourced products offered to you by locally owned businesses. Kins Farm Market offers their customers a variety of sustainable produce options. Finally, Les Amis du Fromage offers one of the largest varieties of local BC cheeses. And on that note...
The Ideal Cheese Plate
You can never go wrong with a good cheese plate. I found this list of tips from Canadian Living magazine. The trick is to use cheeses from as close to home as possible. As stated above, I would suggest visiting Les Amie Des Fromage, as they carry a nice variety of cheeses made in BC.
Garnish your cheese plate with some seasonal fruit such as BC grown grapes in the summer or apple slices in the fall. If you plan to serve crackers, a great local cracker is the Rainforest Crisp, sold at many local grocery stores including Save on Foods and IGA (Marketplace).
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen
Create a cheese tray for a cocktail party or casual get-together. Or at a sit-down dinner, present a cheese plate after the main course before dessert or as dessert with a glass of sweet wine. Follow these tips.
• Serve at least three kinds of cheese, chosen from different categories.
• Vary types and strengths, and contrast colours and textures.
• Always serve cheese at room temperature. Be sure to take it out of the refrigerator at least one hour before serving.
• Hard cheeses can share a knife, or supply a cheese plane. Supply separate knives for each soft and semisoft cheese.
• For appetizer or after-dinner cheese plates of three to six selections, plan on one to 1-1/2 oz (30 to 50 g) of each type per person.
• For cheese plates served at the table, prepare individual plates for your guests.
Enjoy!
