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[CONTEST] When grocery shopping: choose local!

Trade tensions between Canada and the United States are on the rise, and with them, uncertainty over the effects on groceries. What if buying local became one of the obvious, effective solutions? In addition to supporting our economy, you'd enjoy fresher food and reduce your ecological footprint. Here's how to take concrete action, no matter where you are in Canada!

Let’s support the local economy, one shopping basket at a time


By choosing products that are Canadian, you're directly supporting local farmers, processors and businesses. In 2022, over 14,700 farms sold their products through local markets, generating $5.3 billion in sales (1). If every Canadian spent an extra $10 a week on local products, this would mean an injection of nearly $50 million a week into our economy!

“A recent study by the CFIB reveals that in Canada, for every dollar spent at a local retailer, $0.66 stays in the provincial economy. This compares to $0.11 when the same dollar is spent with a multinational with a physical store in the country, and $0.08 when it's spent with an online retail giant.” (2)

So what can you do? Why not start by looking for labels and other provincial identifiers, such as Aliments du Québec, Ontario Made or Buy BC, when you shop. Visit farmers' markets and local grocery stores that promote regional products. And why not sign up for a short supply chain farmer's basket? You'll receive local products every week, and you'll be supporting local producers directly.

Enjoy the freshness and quality

Local products travel fewer kilometres to reach you, which means they’re fresher and more flavourful! In fact, 86% of Canadian consumers say they look for local food, mainly because of the quality (3).

To make the most of it, adjust your diet to the seasons in your region: in Spring, enjoy asparagus from Ontario or British Columbia; in Summer, strawberries from Quebec or blueberries from New Brunswick; in the Fall, apples from Nova Scotia or squash from Manitoba. A simple tip? Consult a harvesting schedule to plan your meals according to the produce that’s available near you.

Reduce your environmental footprint, one selection at a time

Buying local is also a concrete act on behalf of the planet! Transporting food over long distances generates significant CO₂ emissions. By opting for local products sourced from more sustainable farming practices, you reduce this footprint!

Want to take it a step further? Replace certain imported foods with local alternatives: swap almonds from California for hazelnuts from British Columbia, for example. Swap rice for naked oats grown in Quebec. And remember to buy in bulk, and share or bring your own containers to limit excess packaging!


In short, choosing fresh and/or local produce at the grocery store is a very easy thing to do, that has multiple benefits: you support the local economy and help preserve the planet! Wherever you live in Canada, there are local options to discover. So, on your next trip to the grocery store, give it a try: how many local products can you fit in your basket? 🍁

Did you know? 

We're now showing you where you can find our key ingredients, and we're continuing to work on making them more widely available! 

Note : In this list, Shop smarter, eat better features ingredients available from Quebec. Ingredients available from other parts of Canada are coming soon, so stay tuned!

Shop smarter, eat better wants to help you do just that! Take part in our contest to win a $500 gift card with Maturin! 😍 It's all happening on our Instagram account: [publication link].

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