Growers unveil new buy local calendar

Mark Ribble, Leamington Post

The Essex County Associated Growers (ECAG) are releasing a 2012 calendar featuring local farms and they would like you to buy one.

Ed Verbeke, President of the association, spoke at a luncheon event last Wednesday about how the idea came about.

"We were looking for something to boost our buy local campaign and this was a great idea," he said.

Twelve different local growers are featured on the calendar and Verbeke says that next year, 12 new growers will be chosen.

The calendars are only $5 each and all of the net proceeds go to local charitable organizations.

Any calendars sold by ECAG members and outlets will have $1 from each go to the Leamington Salvation Army Food Bank, while LDSS and Cardinal Carter will be selling them as well, with $1 from each calendar going to LDSS culinary program and CCSS horticultural programs.

"ECAG is not making any money on this," added Verbeke.

Their goal is to raise awareness of all of the local products available to consumers.

The Car Barn catering crew was on hand, preparing products from each of the calendar's featured producers, into a luncheon for those in attendance.

Among the producers featured this year are:

Keller Bros. Greenhouses, Figliomeni Fisheries, TG &G Mastronardi, Van Kempen Farms, Wrightland Farms, Raymont Berries, Nickel's Orchards, Adamson Farms, Whaley's Fruit Farm, Drie D. Farms, Medel Orchards and Sunquest Farms.

To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.