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What is Food Day Canada How to participate Celebrate with local Farmers' Markets Upcoming Events
Shine a Light on Canadian Food
What do we do on Saturday, August 4, 2024? We EAT, of course! It’s not just a regular day – it’s Canada’s day to shine, or rather smell, taste and savour the delicious food grown, harvested and prepared in our country.
Every year, on the Saturday of the August long weekend, we celebrate Food Day Canada.
Food Day Canada is a chance for all Canadians to enjoy our food and give thanks to our farmers and fishers, our chefs and researchers, our home cooks and more. Canadians share their food and their stories with each other while leading other nations in cultural diversity, food ethics, magnificent flavours … and fun!
Chefs and home cooks across Canada put CANADA on the menu. Everyone joins forces to create Canada’s largest feast from coast to coast to coast showcasing our incredible bounty of local foods.
It is a day to celebrate our farmers, fishermen, chefs, processors, food researchers and everyone involved in growing, preparing and bringing good Canadian food to our tables.
Did you know?
Food Day Canada has a unique Wellington County connection. It was brought to life by Elora’s own Anita Stewart, an accomplished author, researcher, University of Guelph Food Laureate and a member of the Order of Canada who sadly passed away in 2020. Mourned by the food community across the country, chefs, growers and individuals continue to celebrate her enormous contributions to Canadian cuisine.
How to participate in Food Day Canada
- Cook your own meal using Canadian ingredients and share your a photo on socials with the hashtag #FoodDayCanada and tag @FoodDayCanada.
- Shop a farm store, farmers' market or local food retailer and share a photo using the hashtag #FoodDayCanada.
- Shop and cook Canadian resource www.fooddaycanada.ca/dine-canadian.
- Shine a light on Canadian Cuisine - at 9:00 pm on August 5 landmarks across the country are being lit up in red and white. Visit a local landmark, including the Elora Mill and Wellington County Museum and Archives or turn on your flashlights at home to create a wave of light across Canada.
- Take the pledge to cook, shop and dine like a Canadian.
- Make a reservation at a local restaurant and celebrate with a local menu.
Find participating locations on the Food Day Canada map www.fooddaycanada.ca/dine-canadian. Local participants include:
- Borealis Grille and Bar (Guelph)
- Elora Mill (Elora)
- Elora Brewing Company Resto (Elora)
- LaFONTANA (Elora)
- Miijidaa Café + Bistro (Guelph)
- Park Eatery (Guelph)
- The Wooly Pub (Guelph)
Join the Party! Add the hashtag #FoodDayCanada to your posts on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram watch the Food Day Canada socials to see how Canada is celebrating this special day.
For more information, see the Food Day Canada website.
Check out our local happenings from last year!
Food Day Canada at Guelph-Wellington Farmers' Markets
Shop, cook and dine Canadian! Guelph-Wellington Farmers' Markets are celebrating Food Day Canada. Pick from a selection of recipes by Canadian food champion Anita Stewart, and shop at your local farmers' market for all the fixings. See below for some scrumptious, hand selected ideas. More of Anita's well tested, much loved, delicious recipes picked from across Canada can be found online.
Aberfoyle Farmers' Market
Barbecued Pork Chops with Basil, Mustard and Fresh Peaches
A beautiful late summer barbecue dish, these mouth watering pork chops are sure to please. Serve them with beans and mashed potatoes for an easy, crowd-winning meal.
Elora Farmers' Market
Many Salads, One Recipe
Having a basic recipe at your fingertips in the kitchen makes life so much easier. This 100% Canadian vinaigrette is one that lends itself to countless variations for your summer salads. Always begin with a natural sweetener to balance the acid – maple syrup, apple butter even a squirt of local honey.
Erin Farmers' Market
Smoky Honey-Mustard Beef Brisket
Perfectly suited for a casual gathering, the complex flavours of smoke with rich overtones of mustard and honey linger in this beautiful roasted brisket! Marinate ahead and then barbecue-smoke for easy hands-off cooking!
Guelph Farmers' Market
Tangy Herb Potato Salad with Asparagus
Atlantic Canada grows amazing potatoes. . . that’s why much of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research is done there. This recipe, provided by Taste of Nova Scotia, uses some of the finest ingredients of the Province.
Mapleton Farmers' Market
Ranchero Beef Steak
Pay homage to the grill with your favourite Canadian beef steak. The sauce in this recipe goes well with any Grilling or Marinating steak - it’s somewhat smoky and spicy and loaded with garden vegetables.
Minto Farmers' Market
Vanessa’s Shepherd’s Pie with Buttermilk Yukon Gold Topping
Vanessa Currie is a potato researcher, the keeper of the progeny of Yukon Gold and a fabulous cook. For this dish, she recommends slicing a few red Thai bird chilis (the really hot, small ones) over top. The heat from the chilis goes really well with the savoury flavours of the lamb and the mild mashed potatoes.
Rockwood Farmers' Market
Garden Pesto
This vibrant herb pesto is dairy-free and nut-free, almost reminiscent of an Argentinian chimichurri sauce, but with less tang, allowing the herbs to shine! By pulsing the herbs together and not over-mixing, you maintain a vibrant green colour.
Wellington North Farmers' Market
Island Potato Salad
An updated version of the traditional Irish dish, champ, this recipe was adapted from one developed by Joy Shinn when she worked with the Prince Edward Island potato marketing board, FoodTrust. It’s fabulous served at room temperature or even a bit warm.
Local Food Canada Day Events
20th Anniversary Celebration in Elora with Dinner on the Bridge |
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Tuesday August 1, from 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm In the village of Elora alongside local chefs, farmers and community members Food Day Canada is hosting the kickoff to the 20th Anniversary of Food Day Canada on the Jack R. MacDonald pedestrian bridge. This first-ever-of-its-kind event on the bridge over the Grand River. The pedestrian bridge will be filled with BBQs, picnic tables, local chefs, live music, seasonal food, and community spirit. There is also a beer gardens featuring Canadian wine, local micro-brews and cocktails. As a throw-back to the very first "World's Longest BBQ" by our founder, the late Anita Stewart, this event will feature affordable delicious wholesome Canadian food open to all ages with a focus on education, celebration, and great community. There are several educational and engaging activities to educate while we celebrate. Food and Beverage tickets being sold at the event. |
Anita Stewart Gala at the Elora Mill |
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Thursday August 3, 6:00 pm Your Evening Includes: Cocktails and Canapé, a 4-Course Dinner prepared by Elora Mill chefs, Sommelier Selected Wine Pairings, Live Auction and Local Entertainment all night long. Don't miss your chance to attend this monumental event celebrating all things Canadian. $75.00 of each ticket, or $125.00 with wine pairings, will be donated to the Anita Stewart Tribute Fund at the University of Guelph. Charitable donation receipts will be provided. |
A Circular Detours: Food Day Canada in Elora |
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Saturday August 5, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm This is a unique local food tour that embodies the principles of sustainability, taste, and community. Learn more about circular food economy practices and savour exceptional local food and drink, led by award-winning food experience leader Lynn Broughton. The tour starts at 10:00 am with a visit to the Elora Farmers' Market, and make your way through the town sampling food and drink from Elora’s finest establishments. You’ll hear about the connections between sustainable growers and makers on the excursion, and why this particularly matters today. Showcased will be that which unites us, what makes our region unique, and spotlight the faces behind the flavour. |
Aberfoyle Farmers' Market Dinner Box |
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Food Day Canada was founded by the late Elora resident and culinary activist, Anita Stewart, as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our local farmers and fishers, chefs and home cooks. Celebrate with the Aberfoyle Farmers' Market by taking home a locally curated Dinner Box, complete with all of the farm-fresh and locally sourced ingredients needed to create a delicious meal! Don't miss out! Place your order by Saturday July 29 at 11:59pm. |
Free Food Day Canada BBQ with Grand River Agricultural Society |
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Saturday August 5, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Celebrate Food Day Canada with a free BBQ! We are fortunate to have so many great local food sources in the Centre Wellington and surrounding area. On August 5, GRAS is celebrating Food Day Canada along with other great local businesses in the area. Drop in to meet the GRAS board and executive team and get a FREE hotdog lunch on GRAS! Enjoy hot dogs (beef/pork mixed and veggie), condiments and drinks (includes small cartons of milk – white and chocolate, or apple juice). No pre-registration required. First come first serve. |
