The Rural Voice, 1980-10, Page 9regulations, according to Frank Wall.
They must adhere to the Honey, Fruit
and Vegetables Grades and Sales Act.
They are required to have a certain
container for that produce, it must have a
weight or number designation, a grade or
quality, and the name of the producer and
his address.
The Ontario government created the
logo "FOODLANDS ONTARIO Good
things grow in Ontario" which is
displayed on many products in the local
grocery store.
"I'm very happy to see the
Government is seeing the wisdom of
promoting Ontario produce," Frank Wall
says, "They have large advertisements in
the newspaper. But I certainly object
to seeing the logo being displayed over
imported produce."
But the "random supermarket survey"
revealed the average consume r was not
aware of standards or grades. where the
product originated or if they were buying
a Canadian product. When asked if they
knew they were buying Canadian pro-
duce, their answers once again varied.
"I'll buy a Canadian product only if it
looks better."
"I look to see if it is a Canadian
product."
"Price comes first."
"I guess I should be buying Canadian
products."
"I never really thought about it."
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PRODUCE
CAN NO 1 GRADE
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The local food stores have proper signs on all their produce. All imported foods must have their place of origin written on them.
Grocery buying in Bruce
BY GISELE IRELAND
Bruce county is large, and has a varied population and the
family grocery needs in this county are just as varied.
The county is populated with a lot of tourists, working mothers
in the larger towns and the bulk are made up of general farming
people. It is interesting to go to the different towns and villages
and see the buying trends in that particular area.
Around the lake, we have a lot of summer vacationers. They-
don't
heydon't intend to spend a lot of time preparing food while on
vacation at the cottage. The stores in these areas carry a Targe
assortment of cold meats, and prepared foods, such as salads
and ready baked goods. The meats are pre-packaged and sliced
according to how many you can feed, and are iabelled as such.
The biggest sellers are, naturally, wieners, hamburg patties,
steaks and chops and when the specials come _ along, chicken
parts. All these can be cooked in a short time with very little
effort.
The stores also carry a good selection of fresh fruits and salad
ingredients. The vegetables are mainly canned and trozen.
There are, of course, fresh vegetables available, but during this
time of the year, salads are preferred.
WORKING WIVES
The larger towns, especially around the Douglas Point area,
cater to families that work, often including the lady of the house.
This brings its own brand of goods. When a mother only has one
hour to prepare a meal she will definitely lean towards
convenience foods such as frozen meat pies, fish and chips, heat
and serve chicken and frozen complete dinners. There is also a
large selection of frozen cakes and pies and doughnuts available
in_ these stores.
This consumer seems rarely to have a garden, because there is
no one there to work it and therefore the stores carry a good
supply of fresh vegetables and fruits. The meat counters in these
stores are well stocked with quick cooking cuts of meat and
poultry. These shoppers tend to visit several times a week,
picking up items on the way home from work of whatever is on
special at the time to plan their menu. Large quantity buying is
done only when they have a freezer. A lot of the working
population rent their accommodations and freezers are too
difficult to move around.
The smaller towns and villages mainly have independently
owned grocery stores. The rural population is known for having
large gardens and well stocked meat freezers. Therefore, the
meat sold in most of these smaller grocery stores is tailored for
the elderly and the "lunch bag" market. Not too many buy the
large Sunday roast at the grocery store, but they do shop for
poultry and frozen fish specials.
These stores have a good variety of dried legumes that take
hours of cooking, to make those hearty soups and stews that stick
to your ribs. There is a brisk business in the canning and pickling
market too.
The seasonal fruits are delivered at least twice a week and are
ready for freezing, canning and jams. The spices and vinegar
take shelf room at these stores too. The rural consumer tends to
shop once weekly, unless they live very close to the store. Like
anyone else, they run out of certain items at the most
inopportune times and have to make hasty trips.
The summer trade in cold meats is heavier than in other
seasons and there is a marked increase in the volume of fruits
and vegetables these stores handle at this time of the year,
compared to any other, due to "putting away" for the winter
months.
These are the general buying trends of food, and there is a
definite going back to "basics" in food preparation in all aspects
of home styles. This trend seems to be due, the store owners
feel, to the increased awareness the consumer has towards
nutrition and food values.
THE RURAL VOICE/OCTOBER 1980 PG. 7