Through winter storage vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, squash and onions as well as certain greenhouse grown items like English cucumbers we are able to keep our boxes at least 50% local even in the coldest of months. Many Ontario greenhouses scale back their operations during winter months March and April will start to bring the 2016 crops of Ontario greenhouse grown tomatoes, peppers, romaine and eggplant. You may start to see some of these products on shelves in early March, due to the quantities needed from the HFFB you will likely start seeing these in your Fresh Food Box starting in late March or early April.

Over the next few months we will start our conversations with local growers to plan out the upcoming season and maximize the amount of Halton Grown produce that you see in your boxes. If you have any favourites that you didn’t see last season or ones that you would love to have in your box more often feel free to email me at manager@haltonfreshfoodbox.com. (Recipe ideas are always appreciated as well!)

Your Milton Box for March 1st:

In your $10 bag we have included: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Ontario Mushrooms, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario White Turnip, Ontario Sweet Potato, Mango, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots and Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario White Turnip, Ontario Sweet Potato, Mango, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli as well as Spaghetti Squash

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario White Turnips, Ontario Sweet Potato, Mango, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli, Spaghetti Squash as well as Romaine Lettuce and Celery

Photo credit: eVo photo via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Next Thursday will bring the third annual Halton Food Tourism Summit. A terrific initiative aimed at increasing dialogue and awareness of agriculture and local food issues in the Halton Region. Halton residents have an opportunity to learn more about local food growers and producers and get an insight into what it takes to grow in Halton Region. You can sign up for free at halton.ca/foodtourism.

From the Halton Region Website:

Halton Region is committed to supporting and preserving our vibrant agricultural community. The Third Annual Halton Region Food Tourism Summit will once again bring together the local farming and culinary communities to encourage growth in the culinary tourism industry and to help support a sustainable local economy.

This year’s event will showcase entrepreneurial initiatives in the industry and provide insight on how to grow your agri-business while further contributing to the economic vitality of the community.

Event details

• Thursday, February 25, 2016
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Country Heritage Park, Gambrel Barn
  8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton, ON L9T 1X9

This event is free of charge!

Featured topics and speakers

• Making a living on a small farm – from start up to profitability
  • Brent Preston, Owner, The New Farm – Creemore, Ontario
    2015 Recipient, Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
• What I learned about tourism from the Butter Tart Trail
  • Linda Reader, Economic Development Consultant, Farmgate, Ontario

Speakers panel

• Farm Women of Halton – Working together to cross-promote farm businesses while engaging and educating the public on local food
  • Liz Lambrick – Busy Liz’s Farm Shop
  • Meaghan Richardson – Mabel May Farms
  • Heather Fraser – Wheelbarrow Orchards/ Harvest Goodies
  • Tracy Breckon – ECHO LANE Lavender and Fiber Arts

Who should attend?

Your Halton Hills Box for February 23rd:

In your $10 bag we have included: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Ontario Mushrooms, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots and Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli as well as Green Kale

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli, Green Kale as well as Green Leaf Lettuce and Celery

Zucchini Pizzas

• 2 medium zucchini (1 LB)
• 1/3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/8 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
• Any toppings you desire

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper
• Cut each zucchini into halves through the length, you can slice off a thing layer at the bottom to prevent rolling. Pat insides dry with paper towels (cut portion). Align on prepared baking sheet.
• In a bowl, stir together olive oil and garlic then brush lightly over tops of zucchini.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste then brush a slightly heaping 1 Tbsp marinara sauce over each zucchini, leaving a small rim near edges uncoated.
• Sprinkle tops evenly with mozzarella cheese then with parmesan cheese.
• Top with desired toppings.
• Bake in preheated oven 12 – 18 minutes depending on how thick your zucchini is and desired crispiness.

Photo credit: moonlightbulb via Foter.com / CC BY

We are seeing some of our largest orders in quite some time this month and we only have to look towards grocery store prices to find out why this is. Wholesale produce prices fluctuate week to week and being able to pick the specific items at the best deal we are able to deliver prices that can’t be touched even by the most discount of grocery stores. I recently did a price check at local grocery stores and to put together an equivalent to our $20 box this past week you would be spending a minimum of approximately $30 on less than fresh produce at a discount grocer right up to $45-$50 at some of the more well known chains. We are also able to source the freshest possible ingredients by skipping the need to overstock shelves and keep fresh items in a backroom for sometimes up to a week like many grocers. Not to mention the fact that our produce avoids all the wear and tear of your grocers, try finding an avocado at your grocer that hasn’t been squeezed by at least 20 hands!

Your Unbeatable Burlington Box for February 16th:

In your $10 bag we have included: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Ontario Mushrooms, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots and Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli as well as Green Kale

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Ontario Potatoes, Zucchini, Roma Tomatoes, Ontario Yellow Onions, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli, Green Kale as well as Green Leaf Lettuce and Celery

Kale and Veggie bean soup

Photo credit: Mangilao30 via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND