Posted on Wednesday April 22, 2020

Earth Day: Buy local for the planet

Over the past few weeks, buying local has been top of mind for everyone. Why should we buy local in New Brunswick?  

April 22 is Earth Day, a wonderful occasion to celebrate our planet by taking action. Why not take the opportunity to join the movement? Today especially, let’s eat local, change our habits to live better and stay connected despite social distancing.

Why buy local?

In the middle of August, choosing between small wild blueberries from Kouchibouguac and large ones from Mexico is a no-brainer. But besides the undeniable taste and quality of our local products, there are many other reasons to choose food grown nearby. 

Reduce our environmental impact

2,500 km for one tomato: From the field to our plate, the things we eat sometimes travel a very long way. By considerably reducing how far our food is transported, buying local makes a tremendous contribution to reducing the carbon footprint linked to food production. 

What is transported must also be packaged. For health and preservation reasons, food from afar that passes through several transportation steps generates a significant amount of plastic packaging before reaching its destination. Local products, which are readily available thanks to a relatively short supply chain, do not require excessive packaging. According to the Équiterre organization in Quebec, each Canadian produces an average of more than 700 kg of garbage per year, the bulk of which comes from food packaging. Buying local food makes a real difference. 

Strengthen the local economy

The agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and agri-food sectors generate thousands of jobs and play a major economic role in New Brunswick. Supporting local producers is a great to way to help stimulate the provincial economy.

By eliminating the various intermediaries between the producer and the consumer, buying local also means better pay for workers in the food industry.

A stronger economy and cultivation methods that favour local markets over exports will ensure food sovereignty and security, which are being undermined by the current crisis.

For the Love of New Brunswick is an initiative that introduces consumers to a wide range of local products and gives local merchants an opportunity to showcase their work. UNI is proud be a founding member of the initiative.

Change our relationship with the community

The best salmon is salmon caught by someone we know! Choosing local products means engaging with the community and building long-lasting relationships with the people who make it possible for us to feed ourselves. By creating a more responsible food culture, we also preserve our heritage. What we choose to put on our plate makes us proud of who we are, the knowledge of our growers and the diversity of our cultures. 

Buying local initiatives

To savour the best our local land has to offer, there’s no need to drive up and down New Brunswick looking for a cranberry stand. Over the past few years, the province has developed more and more ways for us to support local producers and businesses—for the good of our planet and our economy. 

Buy New Brunswick: A year-round initiative

This initiative by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (DAAF) aims to promote New Brunswick food and products. It raises awareness of the importance of supporting our various food sectors by making them more accessible. The Buy New Brunswick team turns the spotlight on local farms, fishing and aquaculture businesses, wineries and breweries.

On the Government of New Brunswick’s website, you’ll find a list of farmers’ markets, specialty retailers and partner associations to help you stock up on local products.

Eating local in colder weather: Yes, you can! 

There’s no need for mass canning or a third freezer to eat local year-round. You can enjoy local fresh produce, even when nature is in a deep freeze! For fruit and vegetable offerings by season, see Buy New Brunswick’s convenient local food availability guide.

Buy Local NB: Finding nearby farmers’ markets

Focusing on community development in New Brunswick, this initiative is a project of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. It offers concrete solutions to improve our environment, our health and our ties to the people who cultivate our land.

Stocking up locally 

Tempted to buy your spicy sauce on Amazon? Look around you—or at your computer screen—more closely. Many local businesses are offering home delivery and online ordering. 

For example, Cielo Glamping Maritime, which offers delivery on the Acadian Peninsula and in the Chaleur area, has a nice selection of fresh oysters, smoked and marinated fish, confectionery products and home accessories. 

Adorable Chocolat, an artisanal chocolate maker in Shediac, features a variety of decadent chocolate products in its online store that can be delivered by mail, whether you live in Shippagan, Edmundston or Moncton! 

New Brunswick’s great potential: Cultivating our land

Good news! The province is self-sufficient in maple syrup, potatoes and wild blueberries, but what about other fruits and vegetables? While nearly half the land in New Brunswick is perfect for agriculture, only 5% of it is cultivated. According to the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, this data is proof of the enormous potential of agricultural and agri-related activities in New Brunswick, such as Ferme Terre Partagée and Coopérative Zeste Nord.

Want to get your hands dirty?

There’s nothing more local than a beet you’ve grown yourself! To foster the creation of new businesses and support young agricultural producers, AgriStartNB offers a number of tools. From setting goals and determining work methods to acquiring land and finding training and financial assistance programs, the organization offers a gamut of information aimed at encouraging the next generation and developing the agriculture sector. 

We have what we need to survive all around us. Let’s make Earth Day a special day for our land. To change our food habits—which are currently deeply rooted in economic globalization and international commerce—let’s take one step forward at a time. We don’t need to say goodbye to guacamole or mango salsa, but maybe next time we could add local onions, tomatoes or herbs!