Michael Haggert
It may have seemed like spring was
here on the 28th of February, but don’t go
planning to open the pool just yet. While
the weather from the last two years seems
like only a vague and unpleasant memory,
Old Man Winter usually keeps some of his
best for last, and almost always hits us as
hard as he can in March.
There are a few things you can do
now, with the last of the winter snows
falling outside, to have a profound impact
on your eating habits through the year.
Plan a Garden
If you grow a few of your own
vegetables, you will eat more vegetables. It
doesn’t have to be big, and if you aren’t
already a gardener it’s better to start
small. Something the size of your couch
can be all you need. Don’t have a yard? A
handful of pots on the balcony can keep a
steady stream of fresh produce coming to
the table for months. Don’t have any
access to outside space? There’s room for
you at a community garden in your
neighbourhood.
Sign up for a CSA
If you don’t want to get your hands in
dirt, but want some of the freshest local fruit
and veg, a CSA might be for you.
Community-supported agriculture is like
hiring someone to grow vegetables just for
you. There are a few local options to choose
from. I readily recommend three: Locally
Germinated, Our Farm Organics and Lee &
Maria’s Delivery (not really a CSA but it
works the same way and they deliver)
Protest patio fees
Helpful links
Locally Germinated
Our Farm Organics
Lee & Maria’s
Windsor Essex Community Garden
Collective
City of Windsor
Write or call your Windsor City
Councillor. Let them know the increased
fees for outdoor cafes and patios are
counter-productive to their own goals.
Windsor has chosen to market itself as a
tourist destination. We have heavily invested
specifically in sports tourism. We want our
guests to feel they have come to a vibrant
community, not just an arena or pool. Our
climate is well-suited to dining al fresco, and
the social atmosphere that comes with
getting out from behind the walls brings an
energy to the experience that will leave
visitors with a lasting memory.
Increasing fees makes it harder for our
local cafe and restaurant owners. The
entrepreneurs and service delivery workers
- and they are a small army in numbers need to feel like valued partners in the
tourism business. They probably have more
interaction with our guests and therefore a
greater impact on the impression one gets of
the city. Windsor needs to see how making it
easier for them to operate is just as much of
an investment as is building world-class
facilities. And of course, a vibrant restaurant
scene is important for residents too.
That’s how a snowy day in March can
have a lasting impact on the quality of your
life for months to come. The quality of your
life is dependent on the quality of your
eating. The food matters.
Tell us on Facebook about your adventures with food this month,
or tweet us @thehubWE #foodmatters
March 2016 - The HUB 7