Isn’t it sad that corn season in Essex county is fast coming to a close? The news has been good for Ontario corn growers this year though, as in this Windsor Star article, Local corn growers expect bumper crop.

Pictured below is Richard Thibert’s son, Jean, reaching for a delicious piece of hot corn on the cob during our Zero Mile Dinner this past Saturday at Thibert Farm in Comber. You can still buy local corn from vendors at the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and produce stands all around the county…. for a very little while longer.

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Enjoy the bursting blueberries that are still available for a short time. Here are some local blueberry farms:

• Klassen Blueberries (Harrow)
• Parks Blueberries (Bothwell)
• Blueberry Hill (Rodney)

Many berry farms also offer frozen berries out of season so being a locavore does not mean that you cannot have fruit in the winter.

Most people have their favourite recipes but what do you do with frozen berries? Thaw them and add them to pancake mix or try one of my favourite muffin recipes:

• Banana Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins (Martha Stewart)

You can substitute diced apple or apple sauce for the banana and you will still have some great breakfast muffins rich in folic acid!
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Blueberry Hill, Klassen Blueberries, Parks Blueberries, blueberries

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This weekend is packed with local food events.

Check out Taste Bud Food’s start of their Taste Bud Dinner Series.

This is a series of dinners that take place in unique settings throughout Essex County. All dinners feature local food and wine as well as a memorable experience with our local producers.

D'Angelo Winery, Taste Bud Food

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On a warm July morning we assembled a group of Windsor bloggers and took a short trip out to Comber to meet Richard Thibert and tour his farm. We were greeted warmly by Richard and his dog, Pharoah.

Like many farmers, Richard Thibert has another job working for a company other than his own. At one point in history, farmers only took care of their own property and thrived on this livelihood. Those days are long gone. So why do people still farm? From farmers that I have spoken with who are working one job but also trying to make their own farm a viable business, most of the answers seem to be the same:

“I love it. This is what I should be doing. I care about the food that I provide for my family and others.”

Richard Thibert feels much the same way and for 2 hours, we got an in-depth tour of the property, learning about the land, the animals and Richard’s commitment to sustainable farming. Along with the natural feed that his animals receive, the animals are allowed to roam in grassy pastures. A man-made pond surrounded by wild flowers sits at the back of the property, creating a natural habitat for various species including turtles, frogs and birds. The crops are non-GMO and are free from “unnecessary chemical inputs”.

Not only can you buy a loaf of bread at the farm, you can see the wheat field where the grain grew, buy the flour that was ground onsite to make the bread, and meet the farmer/baker who made the bread for you. What a great experience for anyone!

Here’s what you can buy from Thibert Farms:

• Angus beef
• Pork
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Flour
• Garlic
• Bread (whole wheat honey or multigrain)
• Cookies (oatmeal raisin or oatmeal chocolate chip)
• Pancake Mix (regular or multigrain)

Thanks to the Downtown Farmers Market, you can now meet Richard each Saturday at the old Greyhound Bus Terminal and purchase fresh bread, cookies, flour and pancake mix. Or call him at 519.682.0204 if you plan on visiting the farm.

Richard Thibert cares about what he feeds to his family. Luckily he has grown enough for us too.
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Garlic, Thibert Farm, angus beef, flour, pancake mix

I first read about “redlining” while researching all this locavore stuff. It was something that I had never really thought about since I live a good life in a good city with grocery stores all around me.

Redlining originally described “the practice of marking a red line on a map to delineate the area where banks would not invest.” Later that term was used to described all manner of businesses or services that would not set up shop in an area…these areas often being poor, inner city neighbourhoods.

If you were in one of these neighbourhoods you had no local grocery store; or perhaps you did at one time but it had to close. Now you must take public transportation out to a super centre to get real groceries but that takes time and bus fare and packing up the kids and then how much can you carry back? Citizens in these areas started to rely on close businesses for their food…even if that meant shopping at a convenience store or fast food restaurant to feed their family.

These areas are also called “food deserts” as access to fresh produce is so limited. Are there any solutions? Let us hope that cities who face these problems with implement solutions so that their citizens can eat healthy, balanced meals.

Check out this story on a community group that is bringing fresh fruit and veg to Detroit’s “families on public assistance, homebound seniors and others who can’t reach the well-stocked grocery chains in the suburbs.”

Produce truck encourages healthy eating in Detroit

food desert, redlining

WECSA

Green onions recalled from 6 Essex County locations

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There is so much going on that it is hard to keep up! We are in a very busy time of year for life in general, but especially for locally grown produce.

Hopefully you have been stopping in at the downtown market. Despite the rain, the vendors were still out there this weekend and I got my bread and cookies from Thibert Farms and some amazing peaches from another vendor.

SWOVA’s Annual Vintage Tasting was also this past weekend; let me know if you made it out and tell me how it was. $50 for a ticket would have been wasted on me as I cannot drink yet (8 weeks to go, but who is counting?)!

The highly sought “Bird Dog Red” is back at Sanson Estate Winery. Bird Dog has been missing for the past 3 years so fans are eager to try out the new pup. It is an ‘05 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France and Merlot. Grab a bottle while you can! It is hard to fall in love with a wine as they may sell out or some winemakers do not make the same wines each year (this happened to me when I went to Aleksander and they were sold out of their Baco). Make sure to find a few local faves and cross your fingers that supplies last.

Stop in at the Leamington Tomato Fest this weekend for loads of family fun. A new feature this year is the wine tent with several local wineries participating. Check out their website for details.

There are loads of other events coming up so be sure to check the food calendar.
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Aleksander Estate Winery, Downtown Windsor Farmers Market, Leamington Tomato Festival, SWOVA, Sanson Estate Winery, Thibert Farm

WindsorEats.com presents “Eat Your City” this week. Participating restaurants have special menus at special prices.

A local element includes businesses that are participating by offering discounts or unique offerings. Check out their website for all of the details.

Here’s a specific, local inspired day:

August 6, 2009
Mastronardi Estate Winery
1193 Concession 3 East, Kingsville
This is an enchanting tasting seminar where we discover and celebrate the unique characteristics of 4 varietals. The seminar design includes horizontal flights of wine that will be systemically compared and contrasted starting with the white varietals. A brief interlude of Hors D’oeuvres will be followed by the red varietals. $20 per person, 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Reservations are required for this event. Please call 519-733-9463 to purchase your tickets.

Eat Your City, Mastronardi Estate Winery, WindsorEats.com