September is Eat Local Month in Caledon, a monthlong initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and strengthening Caledon's local food and farming system.

Events are taking place across Caledon to promote eating, cooking and savouring the local harvest.

The Caledon Countryside Alliance, through its Eat Local Caledon program, is encouraging residents to make a special effort this month to shop at local farms, u-picks, wineries, bakeries and farmers' markets and choose the local option at shops and restaurants.

See www.growninpeel.ca or www.eatlocalcaledon.org for a listing of Caledon farms and producers.

Eat Local Month events include cooking classes; wine tastings; restaurant dinner events; farm tours, special demonstrations at the Inglewood and Caledon Farmers' Markets; a special film screening; a canning bee, and more.

Challenge yourself this month and sign up for the seven-day Eat Local Challenge and/or the Take the Bite Out of Climate Change Food Pledge at www.eatlocalcaledon.org

And remember, choosing local food reduces food miles and supports a climate friendly diet; supports local farmers, keeps dollars within the local economy and provides a source of fresh and tasty food.

Special events • Whole Village farm tour — Sept. 12, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at 20725 Shaws Creek Rd. • Eat Local Month film screening at Empire Theatre in Bolton — Sept. 14, starting at 7 p.m. at 194 McEwan Dr. East. The cost is $7 per person. • Local Appetizers 101: Lunch Bee at Inglewood General Store — Sept. 15, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., at 15596 McLaughlin Rd. The cost is $15 per person. Register for this event at eatlocal@ eatlocalcaledon.org or by calling (905) 584- 6221. • Fruit Wine Tasting at Downey's Estate Winery — Sept. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., at 13682 Heart Lake Rd. The cost is $5 per person. Register for this event at eatlocal@ eatlocalcaledon.org or by calling (905) 584- 6221. • Outdoor Salsa Canning Bee — Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Inglewood General Store, 15596 McLaughlin Rd. The cost is $25 per person. Register for this event at eatlocal@ eatlocalcaledon.org or by calling (905) 584- 6221. • Local Tea Tasting at Tea Boutique — Sept. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 15958 Airport Rd. (corner of Airport Road and Emma Street). The cost is $5 per person. Register for this event at eatlocal@eatlocalcaledon. org or by calling (905) 584-6221. • Apple Cider Tasting and Grand Opening at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery — Sept. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., 1137 Boston Mills Rd. Call (905) 838-4278 for more information. • Local Fall Harvest Cooking Class at Millcroft Inn—Sept. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m., at 55 John St. in Alton. The cost will be $25 per person. Register for this event at eatlocal@eatlocalcaledon.or g or by calling (905) 584- 6221. • Caledon Crunch at Caledon Elementary Schools — Sept. 29 at 11 a.m.

Lunch and dinner events

Restaurants will be serving special meals with ingredients that are grown locally in the Caledon area. Reservations for lunch and dinner events should be made directly with the restaurants. • Flapjacks Family Restaurant — Every Friday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Featuring local apple specials at brunch and lunch, at 16560 Hurontario St. Call (519) 927-3514. • The Consulate Dining Lounge — Sept. 8. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for $25. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m. for $30. The Lounge is at 15430 Innis Lake Rd., Caledon East, (905) 584- 6286. • The Caledon Inn —Sept. 10. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m. and the cost is $30 per person. The Inn is at 16626 Airport Rd., Caledon East. Call (905) 584-0033 ext. 201. • Village Bistro — Sept. 17. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m., at $30 apiece. The Bistro is at 18371 Hurontario St., Caledon village. Call (519) 927-1919. • Market Hill Café —Sept. 22. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m., at $30 per person. The Café is at 19834 Airport Rd., Mono Mills. Call (519) 941- 5150. • Terra Cotta Inn — Sept. 24. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m., at $30 per person. The Inn is at 175 King St., Terra Cotta. Call (905) 873-2223. • Town Square Café, Town of Caledon Town Hall — Sept. 25, noon to 2 p,m. at 6311 Old Church Rd., Caledon East. Call (905) 584-2272. • Chef Talk Bistro—Sept. 25. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m., at $30 per person. The Bistro is at 334 Queen St. S., Bolton. Call (905) 857-6578. • Ray's Third Generation Bakery and Bistro —Sept. 29. Dinner seatings are at 6 and 8 p.m. Ray's is at 1475 Queen St., Alton. Call (519) 941-6121.

Special demonstrations at

Farmers' Markets

The Inglewood Farmers' Market (IFM) is held every Wednesday, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Inglewood General Store, at 15596 McLaughlin Rd.

The Caledon Farmers' Market (CFM) is held every Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Albion-Bolton Community Centre, at 150 Queen St. S. in Bolton. • Savouring the Harvest: Freezing, Canning and Drying — Sept. 3 at Caledon FM. • Using Local Alternatives: Honey and Maple Syrup — Sept. 9 at IFM and Sept. 10 at Caledon FM. • Cooking and Savouring Local Tomatoes — Sept. 16 at Inglewood FM and Sept. 17 at CFM. • Waste Not; Want Not: Avoiding Refrigerator Rot — Sept. 23 at IFM and Sept. 24 at CFM. • Cooking and Savouring Local Apples — Sept. 30 at IFM and Oct. 1 at CFM.

Seven-Day Eat Local

Challenge

Sept. 18 to 24 — Register for the Challenge at www.eatlocalcaledon.org and use the Challenge Scorecard to keep track of how many of your week's meals include local food. Submit your completed scorecard to Eat Local Caledon for a chance to win fabulous free dinners at Caledon restaurants.