Report No. 016-12

TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE: 2012 February 16

Covent Garden Market Local Foods Calendar 2012

Recommendation

It is recommended that Report No. 016-12 re Covent Garden Market Local Foods Calendar 2012 be forwarded for information to London City Council and Middlesex County Council.

Background Information

In the summer of 2011, the Manager of the Covent Garden Market contacted the Public Health Dietitian on the Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Team to determine if a partnership could be formed between the two organizations. The purpose of the request was to create a 2012 calendar, focusing on recipes using locally grown foods provided by market vendors. The Manager of the Covent Garden Market requested the menus to be nutritionally analyzed to showcase the nutritional value of locally grown foods. The partnership was created and provided additional opportunities for the Public Health Dietitian not only to prepare the nutritional analysis of the recipes but to enhance the calendar with healthy eating tips for the reader.

The Calendar

The Covent Garden Market was very pleased with the partnership developed and the quality of the work provided with the nutritional analysis and additional healthy eating information. The Market printed 5000 copies of the calendar (Appendix A) and distributed them widely to patrons of the market, vendors, and farmers participating in the weekly farmers’ market events hosted by the Market. The Health Unit was provided with a box of calendars to share with community partners and clients.

The recipes included were selected by the Market. All recipes highlight seasonally available local produce and meats in easy recipes that result in tasty meals. The focus of the calendar was to showcase local vendors, produce, and meats available to Covent Garden Market consumers.

Conclusion

The partnership between the Covent Garden Market and the Health Unit was a positive one that opened the doors to future food-related opportunities including food literacy and cooking skill workshops. The Public HealthDietitian is enthusiastic to explore the possibilities of working with this organization to enhance and support nutrition operational planning in the Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Team.

This report was prepared by Dr. Heather Thomas, Public Health Dietitian, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Team.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health

This report addresses the following requirement(s) of the Ontario Public Health Standards:
Chronic Diseases and Injuries Program Standards 5, 7, 8, 11, 12.