Three years ago, the topic of eating locally produced food was very much in the news, and awareness of this important subject has continued to grow ever since.
I devoted a column at that time to the topic and listed several new books on eating healthy, locally-grown food.
However, many new titles (including a DVD) have appeared since then, so it is time to create an updated list. All titles are available in the Okanagan Regional Library.
–– Demeter’s Wheats: Growing Local Food and Community with Traditional Wisdom and Heritage Wheat by Sharon Rempel (2008).
The global abundance circle includes seeds of heritage varieties that have fed people for centuries without chemical inputs, and nurtures traditional agricultural practices and ways of working collaboratively in communities.
–– Locavore: from Farmer’s Fields to Rooftop Gardens: How Canadians are Changing the Way We Eat by Sarah Elton (2010).
A growing local food movement taking place in Canadian cities and on Canadian farms is changing the way we eat and think about food. Elton tells the stories of how foodies, 100-milers, urbanites, farmers, gardeners, chefs and ordinary Canadians are creating a new local food order that has the potential to fight climate change and feed us all.
–– Ingredients: The Local Food Movement takes Root (DVD – 73 minutes, 2011).
A beautifully-photographed, positive look at the good food system, this documentary raises many points about sustainable food and sustainable production that demonstrate the importance of the local food movement.
–– Realfood, Realhealth: a Guide to Finding, Preparing and Enjoying Local Foods by Maureen Clement and Kathryn Hettler. (2010).
A Vernon physician and an organic grower from Spallumcheen combine their wisdom to create this resource book about health and local food.
In addition to 150 simple recipes and serving suggestions provided by many local growers, this book includes basic tips for good health and a guide to the farms and farmers’ markets in the North Okanagan/Shuswap region.
–– Frugavore: How to Grow Organic, Buy Local, Waste Nothing, and Eat Well by Arabella Forge (2011).
Hands-on, practical advice for a new way of living and eating frugally, including re-discovering forgotten cooking techniques, creating your own kitchen garden, stocking your pantry well, discovering local farmers markets, community gardens and co-ops, and more! Includes over 100 recipes.
–– Ripe from Around Here: a Vegan Guide to Local and Sustainable Eating (No Matter Where You Live) by Jae Steele (2010).
The popular author’s new cookbook underscores the importance of local, sustainable eating and living by helping readers deepen their understanding of organic and local foods, and their positive impact on our health and our planet.
–– A Local Table: The Choices Cookbook by Desiree Nielsen and Antonio Cerullo (2009).
The first cookbook of its kind to create recipes around each of the four seasons, showcasing the foods available to cooks in the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan.
Included is a month-by-month calendar highlighting which foods are in season in these areas, along with tips on when to choose local foods and when to choose organic.
–– Maureen Curry is the chief librarian at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.
