Mission: Delicious
Local Summertime Food Adventures
It’s the season we’ve all been hungry for: the long and hot days of summer are finally upon us. Everyone is excited to get out and explore all the outdoor adventures our region has to offer, and of course, we know that all great adventures can be centred around one tasty goal: food! If you’re ready to make this a deliciously memorable summer, make sure to dive headfirst into our region’s culinary wonderland. Here’s an inside scoop.
Thunder Bay is known as a culinary tourism destination because of our thriving local food scene. We have an impressive diversity of locally produced foods, beverages, and culinary experiences to savour. Local food is not only delicious, also it plays a particularly important role in our economy. According to the province’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in the Thunder Bay area, the agri-food sector provides nearly 7,000 jobs and counts over 200 farms with nearly 50,000 acres in production, generating over $30 million in farm cash receipts.
Of course, there’s still room to grow and strengthen our local food system. The Food Strategy reports that if 10% of the local population spent just $10 more per week on local foods, the annual impact on our local economy would be over $6.3 million. Who knew supporting our local food system could be so savoury? Let’s get started.
Be a Culinary Tourist
Have you already visited the restaurants, cafés, and shops that are nestled in your neighbourhood? If not, this is a good opportunity to walk or wheel over to sample what’s cooking. Once your neck of the woods is fully explored, start venturing to other neighbourhoods. From Current River to Westfort, and the Slate River Valley to Pass Lake, there are oodles of tasty local food gems to discover. Want some extra planning help? • Check out tbayinseason.ca, Thunder Bay’s new online local food directory featuring local producers, processors, retailers, and restaurants serving local foods. You can browse vendors and discover which ones are open to the public for a pop-in, an afternoon drive, or a day-long adventure. You could easily fill a few days checking out area farm stores, local breweries, and patios. • Download the new City of Thunder Bay Tours App to check out their local food tour suggestions.
Foods to Bring on Adventures
Another way to make your summer even more sensory-driven is to think about local food when planning adventures. I’m known for packing excellent snacks to entice my teenagers to go on summer hikes, an evening of fishing, or an after-work dip at a local swimming hole. The Thunder Bay Country Market and many local retailers are well-stocked with delicious treats to meet all your cravings (think jerky, cheeses, fresh produce, and baked goods).
Get out there and continue your culinary explorations this summer, and share your favourite finds on our social media feed, @tbayinseason. Happy adventuring!