100-Mile Diet: chef demonstrations at event

GRAFTON - 

Chef demonstrations taking place at the 100-Mile Diet event are always very popular.

Visitors can be found sitting to watch what Steven Benns, Chef and Professor at Fleming College and Adam Hudson, Community Dietitian at the Port Hope Community Health Centre are concocting using foods available on Sept. 13. We hope it will inspire you to begin the process of reconnecting to the place you live and the people who produce your food.

The children's area gives young ones the opportunity to play in the not sand box, colour a picture, plant some seeds and learn about where their food comes from.

We are encouraged by dietitians to eat more local foods for their health benefits. By eating lots of fruits, vegetables and grains you may find that you'll lose weight as you're decreasing consumption of processed foods that are high in fat, salt and simple carbohydrates. You could go to a pick-your-own with friends or family and then next day get together with them and preserve your harvest.

A British study tracked how much of the money spent at a local business stayed in the local economy and found the total value was almost twice the contribution of a dollar spent at a supermarket chain. These businesses are supporting the local economy by buying some of their ingredients close to home and creating value added products:

*Dunya's Delights – Diane has developed a wonderful variety of jams, jellies, baking, preserves and prepared foods.

*The Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co. manufacture high quality, small batch, handmade savoury shortbread cookies and pure dessert shortbread cookies.

*Dancing Bee Apiaries – Todd offers liquid, creamed and comb honey which is harvested in an ecologically friendly manner ensuring the flavour and goodness remains.

*Over The Hill Farm – Ora keeps busy in the kitchen preserving jams, chutneys, relishes and preserves.

*So Hot & Uphoriq Heat produces hot sauces using peppers sourced close to Clarington. Their "SOHOT Sauce is definitely about diversity, joy and raising your vibration at the table and it's gluten free."

*Ste. Anne's Bakery specializes in freshly prepared, gluten-free baked goods and features a wide selection of cookies, cakes, breads, jams, chocolates and fruit butters made from products found on Ste. Anne's property.

*Cuttle Cottage – Tracy grows lavender and offers lavender scented natural body products including hand and foot cream, linen spray and a line of baby cleaning products. Homemade maple syrup, cookies, jams and jellies may include lavender.

*Marché 59 showcases certified organic, local, seasonal fruits and vegetables from P&H Farms and artisanal bread baked on site.

*The Great Canadian Alpaca Co. Ranch has over 100 Huacaya and Suri alpacas. They breed and sell award winning animals and also use their animal's fibre to create finished Alpaca products for retail sale.

*Locust Cottage Farms – Claire delights in creating delicious baked goods and says she sources most of her ingredients locally.

*Northumberland Soapworks – Nancy has been crafting soap using the old fashioned cold process method since 1999 and incorporates herbs she grows herself into her soaps.

*Pure Joy Herbal Creations plant and nourish their organic gardens in order to harvest flowers and berries for their oils, salves, creams and lip balm.

Last year this event raised $1139 for Northumberland's Food for Thought Nutrition Programme and donations at the door will once again be accepted on behalf of this programme. Be sure to check out these displays: St. Andrew's United Church, Port Hope Community Health Centre, Northumberland Food For Thought, District 4 of the Ontario Horticultural Association, Master Gardeners of Northumberland, Alnwick/Haldimand Library, Cultivate Festival

See you at Haldimand Memorial Arena, 10766 Cty. Rd. 2, Grafton on Sept. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. Visit our website: www.100miledietgrafton.weebly.com.

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