Affiliations:
All of these great suppliers, producers and farmers have one thing in common; respect. They respect their employees. They respect their products and the natural resources that their animals and vegetables come from. They are all practicing traditional methods that ensure the sustainability of such resources by harvesting heritage and wild breeds of vegetables, fish and meat. It is a pleasure working with, and supporting all of them.
Matchbox Garden and Seed Company:
www.matchboxgarden.ca
I have worked with Matchbox for 4 years and love their vegetables. I have the ultimate respect for Hanna and Eric's uncompromising homage to deliciousness. They will not sell their product unless it is perfect. They also have a great Shared Agriculture Program, a weekly delicious vegetable family box program. This summer will be the second year that I will have the honor of creating recipes highlighting each week of the program.
Monforte Dairy:
www.monfortedairy.com
Ruth Klaussen has created a great connection with her farmers and milk producers to create a distinct and wonderful variety of cheeses. She is also working diligently on making farming profitable for farmers. She is passionate, talented and an inspiration to many chefs and food professionals.
Organic Ocean:
www.organicocean.com
Steve, Dane and Frank are conscious fishermen. They recognized 20 years ago the need for regulatory fishing practices and sustainable respect for their craft. Their wild sockeye salmon are line-caught. Their spot prawns are caught and frozen in seawater the day they are harvested. I have fished on their Vancouver boat with them and have seen firsthand their treatment of by catch, which they return to the ocean unscathed.
Cumbrae's:
www.cumbraes.com
Steve, Nathan, George, Hank and the rest of the crew and farmers at Cumbrae's butcher and raise their animals to the highest standards as those of Steve's Australian roots. Their beef, whether Angus or Waygu is marbled beautifully and aged to perfection.
Fisherfolk:
www.fisherfolk.ca
Jen has created a network that stretches from the Maritimes to Vancouver. Her mantra is focusing on independent fishermen that maintain the balance of healthy oceans and local fishing communities. Her Haddock is amazing and I use it as a replacement for salt cod in my Bajan fishcakes.
Blue Haven Farm:
www.bluehavenfarm.moonfruit.com
"having integrity," they are free run and are cared for better than any commercially bred animal that I have seen. If you ever get a chance take a trip to her farm, see her operation and meet her goat "Madonna."
Trinity Bellwoods Farmer's Market:
www.trinitybellwoods.ca/trinity-bellwoods-farmers-market-1
Here is another collective of great people growing and producing sustainable deliciousness. From the Local Café's beet chocolate cake to Underground Organics' turnips, to Woolerdale Farm's hot peppers and Freskiw's wild blueberries.
Sorauren Farmers Market:
www.westendfood.coop/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=50
Sorauren is another great place to meet unique farmers and suppliers. De La Terre makes amazing bread, and Bee's Universe has delicious eggs, honey, and rabbits.
Cross Town Kitchens:
www.crosstownkitchens.com
This is a collective of Toronto chef's who have got together to promote sustainability and raise money for The Stop Community Food Centre.
Oceanwise
www.oceanwise.ca
A group funded thought the Vancouver Aquarium that have taken the unique approach of getting restaurants to promote using sustainable fished seafood.
Slow Food:
www.slowfood.ca
I had the opportunity this year to visit Torino, Italy to be part of Slow Food's bi-annual conference: Terra Madre. Here delegates, farmers, chef's from over 200 countries met to discuss everything from seed sovereignty to the health of our fish stocks. It was an amazing eye-opening opportunity and I look forward to going back in 2012.
