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Planet Organic Market Steps Up to the Plate with a Taste of Edmonton’s Local and Seasonal Foods

05/20/2010

TORONTO, ON— The launch of spring marks the beginning of the growing season and around the country Canadians are anxiously awaiting the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that will soon crop up. As the local food movement gains momentum in Canada, Planet Organic Market is helping conscious Canadians reconnect with their communities, and their inner locavores, with a round up of locally sourced foods that are available both seasonally and year round.

As Canada’s largest organic and natural food retailer, Planet Organic Market offers a broad range of fruits and vegetables that are 100% certified organic, as well as a wide variety of locally sourced and farmed meats, dairy items, dry goods, herbs and spices, frozen foods, vitamin supplements and healthy snacks. “We want Canadians to enjoy the bounty of our local farmers and understand the impact associated with where our food comes from,” says Scott Bladon, Vice President of Marketing for Planet Organic Market. “It is important for us to be rooted in each of our communities and to help support local economies, which is why we try to buy as much from local suppliers as we can.”

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, local food is defined as being grown and purchased within 50 kilometres from where one lives. Food bought and sold within 50 kilometres supports the local farm economy, saves on fuel and transportation costs and helps to reduce the carbon footprint associated with growing and buying food. While eating foods grown within 50 kilometres is an ambitious target, Planet Organic Market is helping Canadians strive toward achieving this goal by offering locally grown foods all year round. A study cited by the David Suzuki Foundation estimates that a basic North American meal travels 2,400 km from field to table—roughly the driving distance from Regina to Toronto—which is 48 times the distance travelled by local foods!

To help Canadians achieve a healthy and balanced local diet from farm to fork, Planet Organic Market has compiled a list of local food items fresh from the produce section, right down to the pantry aisle where local foods can be found all year round.

Seasonal produce in Alberta*:

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cherries
  • Cucumber
  • Currants
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Parsley
  • Peas
  • Pumpkins
  • Radishes
  • Raspberries
  • Rutabagas
  • Saskatoons
  • Sprouts
  • Strawberries
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes

*Source: Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association

Brand Location Item(s)
Beetnik Borsht Two Hills, AB Pickled beets
Bles-wold Dairy Products Lacombe, AB Yogurt
Chickadee Farms Flatbush, AB Herbs, teas
Earth Water Sherwood Park, AB Spring water
Fairwinds Farm Fort MacLeod, AB Goat milk and yogurt
Golden Acres Three Hills, AB Honey
Highwood Crossing Aldersyde, AB Canola oil, flour
Honey Bunny Guy, AB Honey
Kinnikinick Edmonton, AB Cookies
Kerstin’s chocolates Edmonton, AB Organic homemade chocolates
Lucky Me 2 Tomahawk, AB Baking and cookie mixes
Peace County Milling & Grain Sexsmith, AB Barley, rye, oats
Pinocchio Italian Ice Cream Edmonton, AB Ice cream and gelato
Prairie Mill Edmonton, AB Cinnamon rolls
Sunny Boy Cereal Camrose, AB Hot cereal
Vital Green Organic Farm Picture Butte, AB Organic dairy products

About Planet Organic Market

Planet Organic Market is a recognized leader in Canada’s natural foods industry. Founded in 2001, formerly Terra Natural Food Market in Edmonton, Alberta, Planet Organic Market has grown to become Canada’s largest natural food and personal care products supermarket chain. Currently, the company operates nine natural food supermarkets throughout Canada under the Planet Organic banner and eleven natural food supermarkets in the U.S. under Mrs. Green’s Natural Markets banner. For more information, visit www.planetorganic.ca

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