Eat Local Week Challenge
Can you eat only food grown or produced in Caledon or Ontario for one week?

September 9 to 15 marks Caledon's first annual Eat Local Week as proclaimed by Caledon council at the Aug. 7 meeting. Everyone, from residents to farmers to restaurants to food shops, are invited to participate by eating, growing, preparing or selling local food.

Caledon residents are invited to participate by getting as much of their food as possible from local sources. Food can be grown or produced locally. Participants can register at www.caledoncountryside. org and they will be given a scorecard to keep track of how many of their week's meals include local food. Scorecards can be submitted at the end of the week for a chance to win great local prizes.

Eat Local Week participants are being asked to prioritize food choices by first food grown and/or processed within the Caledon area; and second, food that is grown and/or processed within Ontario. The week is timed at the height of the fall harvest and will make eating local easier.

Numerous restaurants and food retailers have signed on to participate in Eat Local Week by offering foods that feature fresh local ingredients. To date, participating restaurants include the Terra Cotta Inn in Terra Cotta; The Shed Coffee Bar and The Belfountain Inn in Belfountain; The Inglewood General Store in Inglewood; the Village Bistro in Caledon Village; Lynn's at the Cataract in the Cataract; the Trailside Bistro & Café; The Consulate Dining Lounge; Gourmandissimo; and Howard the Butcher Fine Foods in Caledon East; Millcroft Inn and Ray's Bakery in Alton, and Chef Talk Bistro and Garden Foods in Bolton. Restaurants and shops are still welcome to sign on to participate.

Eat Local Week is being organized by the Caledon Countryside Alliance and Sustainable Caledon. It is as an initiative of the Eat Local Program, which is aimed at building a sustainable food system right here in Caledon.

"The Caledon area is the ideal place to focus on building a local food system, and eating close to home not only strengthens the local food economy, but also tops the list of environmentally sustainable actions," said Karen Hutchinson, the CCA's executive director .

Events planned for the week include:

* Caledon Farmers Market at the Caledon Fall Fair, Caledon fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Wine Tasting & Local Food at Chesslawn Vineyards and Winery, 8859 Castlederg (just west of Regional Road 50), Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. (Cost TBD).

* Lunchtime Local Food Cooking Class at Gourmandissimo Catering and Fine Food, 16023 Airport Rd, Caledon East, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 12:30 to 3 p.m., $30. Send an email to jennifer@caledoncountryside. org to reserve a spot or call Gourmandissimo at 905- 584-0005.

* Mayor's Local Food Potluck, Saturday, Sept. 15 6 p.m. (registered participants will be invited on a lottery basis).

If you would like to sign up to participate in Eat Local Week, either as a household, farmer, restaurant or food retailer please register on the Web site at www.caledoncountryside. org or contact the CCA at 905.584.6221.