Metro Grocery Stores stopped in Windsor to promote homegrown foods.
The giant grocery chain created a country fair atmosphere at Walkerville Brewery Thursday night to celebrate local food, music and art.
Metro said it is committed to local communities and celebrating the flavour and talent of the region. The grocer said it carries 60 local products from 18 different regional suppliers in the Windsor and London areas.
Chef Mike Ward said Metro surveyed Windsorites and nearly 70 per cent noted craving fresh, fall favourites such as apples and hothouse tomatoes.
"We're in hothouse country. As chefs we often talk about local and fresh in season but hothouse is some of the best tomatoes and certainly some of the best green veg in the world," said Ward.
Metro Grocery Stores stopped in Windsor to promote homegrown foods. Nov 8, 2018. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Metro said customers of its 13 stores in the Southwestern Ontario market will be able to buy unique products either made or developed in their area as part of the company’s local purchasing program.
Ward said Metro likes to focus on local food whenever possible.
"Hothouse is some of the best tomatoes and certainly some of the best green veg in the world, much of it is organic by default because they don't have to spray with a lot of stuff to keep the bugs off. It's all good," he said.
Ward said local food is less expensive and better quality.
"It's plentiful and it doesn't cost much to transport to you. There's actually much more to eating locally than just a catch phrase that chefs like to throw around," Ward said.