This O is for You

If you like organic produce, this post is for you. Now, if you like your organics to also be local, well then – this post is really for you! This is Jeff Pastorius. Jeff is super passionate about getting organic foods to us – the people. What is even better is that Jeff believes in the local food movement. He tries very hard to source his food locally before he goes anywhere else. This means that Jeff actually goes around in this funky bus/truck to all kinds of organic farms that surround London and picks up the food and brings it to the market. This is a great thing for the farmers that would otherwise not have their product make it to a London Market and it is an even greater thing for the consumer, because we know local organic is hard to find. Jeff also delivers organic produce through the week by bicycle – did I tell you he is passionate about food? Well, you would have to be, to be lugging it all around town on a bicycle. If you are interested in ordering one of the food boxes instead of visiting the market – please visit the On The Move Organics website at http://onthemoveorganics.ca/ You may have bought some things from Jeff in the past and if you have, you will know that he is super friendly, chatty and likes to take the time to tell you about the farm that the food came from – he is really knowledgeable. What you may not know is that On The Move Organics has been setting up a stall at the Arva Flour Mill on Saturdays for the past month or so – weather permitting. The Arva Flour Mill is an amazing place, a historic flour mill that still operates – as long as we all go there and spend our money. Vote with your food dollars people! The Arva Flour Mill is a gem just north of the city (in Arva), that I beg you all to go and visit. There are ducks wandering around the lawn and all kinds of other products in the store besides flour. Besides running a produce stand at the mill, the rest of the time you can find Jeff and possibly his sister helping out at the Friday North London Market. He is also at the Western Fair Market. If you choose to visit the Arva Flour Mill (and I hope you do!) and would like to know if Jeff will be there that weekend,kindly just email him. His email and contact info can be found on his website.  Read More

On The Move Organics

This morning I ventured out to the Western Fair Farmers Market to see what kind of local foods I could find. Keep in mind that it is January (how could we forget?) and we are in Canada… but I still found some really great stuff! Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I would like to mention one thing before I continue – and that is that you really have to be a smart locavore when you shop at this market. Be warned, I actually saw a vendor that was using Foodland Ontario signs for pricing their vegetables even though all of their “packages” were marked from California, not good! Just be wise, young ones. :,,) And now, to the really good part! A very exciting locavore find (and organic to boot!), is Jeff Pastorius” business called On The Move Organics. On The Move Organics is many things. First, they offer 100% organic produce, yum! Second, approximately 80% of the produce that Jeff sources is from small, independent organic farms all within a half hour drive of London Ontario. Lastly, they offer a Box Program. Wondering what a “box program” is? Basically, for around $30 a week you have a box delivered to your door that contains 10 – 15 fresh food items. I tried one of these box programs (not with Jeff), about 4 years ago and it was super fun. You get all kinds of foods in the box that you may not usually try on your own and it is a great way to incorporate more veggies into your weekly diet, while at the same time supporting a local business – and in the height of our growing season, support local farmers. I purchased some really good looking sunflower shoots, beets and parsnips. Oh! and they even have the delicious yet elusive Ontario Grown Garlic! No, I am not being crazy – just take a look at the supermarket garlic the next time you are shopping – I”ll bet you at least a fiver that it is from China! Something that is also super special and is available through Jeff is NuSun Sunflower Oil. It is locally grown and bottled just north of Stratford, in Mitchell Ontario. That”s right, you can lower your cholesterol and support a local farmer all in one tablespoon! On The Move Organics is conveniently located at the Farmers Market at the Western Fairgrounds (free parking and open till 3 pm every Saturday!). Also check out their website or give them a call and set up your box today!  Read More