Rain For Ontario Crops

We finally some much needed rain for our Ontario crops this week after one of the driest summers that Ontario has ever seen. Many farmers have been running their irrigation systems nearly every day this summer often needing to have them on for 10-12 hours per day. We are extremely lucky to have modern irrigation systems as past generations would have faced massive loss of crops that we were able to avoid this year. While there is often seasonal changes for various reasons another summer like this one next year would push our crops and systems to the brink. Farmers now hope for some heavy rain in the fall season to make up for the dry season.

Food Waste

Droughts and crop issues only help to highlight on of the most problematic aspects of the Canadian food system, food waste. Approximately $30,000,000,000.00 (Yes, 30 Billion, that isn’t a typo) in food ends up in landfills every year in Canada, a massive problem that extends through every aspect of a broken system. There are terrific organizations that have existed for years across Canada and here in Halton that try and tackle this issue, trying to solve issues of food security at the same time.

Food For Life is a fantastic organization that saves thousands of pounds of food from ending up wasted and redirects it back into the community. http://www.foodforlife.ca/whoweare.php

In a newer development a brilliant new company in Toronto have also created an app called flashfood that can truly help to make a difference in the food waste issue while also offering affordable food to those who could use it most. By allowing restaurants and grocery stores to post food near its ideal shelf life at strongly reduced prices they keep good food out of landfills and help some pocketbooks at the same time. While the app is currently running in Toronto alone it’s only a matter of time before we see options like this in Halton Region and beyond, and along with many other exciting initiatives we can hope to take a massive chunk out of that 30 Billion.

Your Burlington box this week:

In your $10 bag we have included:  Fisher Farms Ontario Pears, Ontario Peaches, Ontario Green Leaf Lettuce, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario New Potatoes, Ontario Zucchini, Ontario Corn, Ontario Carrots, Ontario Celery, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Field Pepper, Ontario Green Onion, and Ontario Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Fisher Farms Ontario Pears, Ontario Peaches, Ontario Green Leaf Lettuce, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario New Potatoes, Ontario Zucchini, Ontario Corn, Ontario Carrots, Ontario Celery, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Field Pepper, Ontario Green Onion,  Ontario Broccoli as well as Ontario Cauliflower

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Fisher Farms Ontario Pears, Ontario Peaches, Ontario Green Leaf Lettuce, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario New Potatoes, Ontario Zucchini, Ontario Corn, Ontario Carrots, Ontario Celery, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Field Pepper, Ontario Green Onion, Ontario Broccoli, Ontario Cauliflower as well as Ontario Cantaloupe and Ontario Field Eggplant

Baked Eggplant

• cooking spray
• 1 eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 3 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Prepare a baking dish with non-stick play.
2. Arrange eggplant and tomato slices into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables; season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the entire mixture.
3. Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Switch oven broiler to high; continue baking until completely browned, about 5 minutes.