eat like a local
eat like a local.
support your farmers.
My shift to eating local food really began when I moved back to the Sarnia–Lambton region. I started to recognize just how much power I had through the simple act of purchasing food. Blending that awareness with my nutrition background, I knew I wanted to invest my money into something I loved most: food — and more importantly, the community that produces it.
I grew up surrounded by local food culture (thanks Mom!): Saturday mornings at the market, stops at the deli, picking up loaves at the neighborhood bread shop (R.I.P. Breadman). When I came back to the area, it felt natural to return to those roots and explore them more deeply.
One of the first farmers I connected with was Shane and Emma from Aslan Organics. My mom had gifted me a farm share one Christmas, and it changed the way I saw food. Meeting the people who grew my produce, hearing their story, and seeing the land where my food came from — it was an eye-opening, game-changing experience.
From there, we dug deeper and began sourcing our meat locally too: pork and chicken from Carver’s Natural Farms in Petrolia, and beef from a farmer further north in Southwestern Ontario. The shift was undeniable. Not only did the quality of the food improve — fresher, more flavorful, more nourishing — but I also knew my dollars were going directly back into the hands of the people who feed our community.
And here’s the bigger picture: research shows that buying local has ripple effects that go far beyond your dinner plate. Local food systems help preserve farmland, protect the environment, and strengthen rural economies. They create opportunities for small farmers and food entrepreneurs, keep food dollars circulating in the community, and even help build resilience against global supply chain disruptions. On the health side, people who shop local often report eating more fresh produce and feeling more connected to what they eat. And then there’s the social fabric — when you know your farmer, or stop to chat with the baker or cheesemaker, food becomes more than fuel. It becomes a story, a relationship, a piece of community.
For me, that’s what “eating like a local” has come to mean. It’s not just about what’s on my plate. It’s about investing in a way of eating that nourishes body, soul, and community — one choice, one meal, and one connection at a time.
If you’re curious where to start, here are some of my favorite places to shop locally in Sarnia–Lambton and beyond:
Aslan Organics – A farm devoted to chemical-free produce, with a farm-share program that connects you directly to your food.
Carver’s Natural Farms – Family-run in Petrolia, offering pasture-raised chicken, pork, and gourmet garlic.
Huron Farm – A small farm near Bright’s Grove, known for pasture-fed meats and handcrafted farm art.
Taproots Green Gardens – A chemical-free microfarm growing fresh produce and offering CSA shares.
Great Lakes Refill Company – A zero-waste grocer where you can bring your own containers to stock up on food from local makers.
Next steps: Head over to the wellness almanac for recipes that use local ingredients