Silence of the strawberries: Canadian berry farms under threat

Top Canadian chefs and Ontario's Minister taking strawberries seriously
Recently, Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced “When everybody picks Ontario, everybody wins.” And she explained with a cheeky grin, that she’s putting Ontario's money where her mouth is, by investing $56 million into small farms, farmers markets, Savour Ontario, and the Ministry of Tourism’s campaign to promote culinary tourism in Ontario.

Additionally, local Toronto chefs at top-drawer restaurants are creating menus that showcase the iconic berry of summer, and give a much-deserved nod to the growers by listing the strawberries' pedigree on the menus. (Yes, there is more than one kind of strawberry!)

Take a queue from those who know food and support Canadian strawberries this summer. Buy more berries than you need and freeze a few bags for later on. Frozen berries are perfect for smoothies year-round, plus they can be defrosted for salsas, sauces or desserts later on.

Visit farmers markets, take that trip to the farm, learn to eat with the seasons, and tell your grocery manager and restaurateur that you want to see local produce - wherever you are across this country - on the shelves and on the menu.

Inspiring sweet-savoury strawberry recipes and ideas
Everyone loves a good dollop of strawberry jam, but you don't have to have a sweet tooth to enjoy all things strawberry. Creative chefs across Canada are toying with strawberries as enhancers to savoury dishes such as bruschetta, pork tenderloin - even as a hamburger topping. Here are a few savoury recipes by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen:

• Summer Strawberry Melon Salad with Fresh Ginger and Mint
• Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Jam
• Strawberry-Glazed Brie
• Snappy Strawberry Salsa

And don't miss these strawberry sweeties:

• Super Strawberries: A collection of strawberry desserts
• Jam Session: 5 takes on strawberry jam
• Strawberry Lemon Custard Shortcake (image featured above)

Some useful foodie resources
www.slowfood.ca
www.farmersmarketsontario.com
www.chef2chef.net  (click on “Resources” drop-down to “Farmers Markets” for a cross-Canada directory.)
www.farmersmarketonline.com (Lists farmers markets in the US and Canada)