Ask a Dietitian

As seen on BCTV August 14/01

If you pay attention to produce signs in grocery stores, you may notice that many products are imported. There are two main reasons for this. The first is consumer demand for variety all-year-round. For geographic reasons, only certain foods can be grown in BC at different times of the year. Importing produce gives consumers more options. The second reason for importing produce is cost. However, cheaper is not always better. Though the price may seem right for imported produce when compared to local, the difference in quality can be substantial.

• Freshness: Local produce is only a hop skip and a jump away from your local grocery store. Imported produce however is accustomed to long trips with a lot of waiting. To translate, local produce moves from the field to your plate in a fraction of the time it takes the imported produce to travel the same distance. The more time between picking the produce and consumption, the more nutrients and quality the food loses.
  *Notice produce labels, BC Hot House produce may be grown in California or Mexico and therefore still had some travel to do.
• Pesticides: BC grown products are governed by BC laws. Big deal, you may say. Actually, it is. This is because Canada has very strict laws telling growers exactly what chemicals they may use on our produce. These pesticides are very closely examined and must be safe for Canadians to consume. Unfortunately, we have no way of making sure that other countries follow the same guidelines. As a result, many imported foods may contain unwanted chemicals.
  *BC Hot House produce, whether grown in BC or Mexico still abides by BC laws.
• Local Economy: Buying locally grown produce supports the local economy. Putting money back into our system benefits us all and ensures that farmers can support their practice.
• Taste: If you have ever compared the taste of a BC grown tomato to an imported one you know that the locally grown vegetable has far superior taste. Produce grown locally packs a bigger flavor punch because it is ripened in the field instead of a warehouse.BC Hot House Produce
• It is hydroponically grown (not grown in soil) eliminating the need for herbicides.
• Growers of BC Hot House produce use “good bugs” to eliminate unwanted pests instead of pesticides. (Pesticides would eliminate the “good” bugs).
• Produce is vine ripened and hand picked to reduce bruising
• BC Hot House produce is never waxed
• BC Hot House tomatoes are pollinated by bumble bees just like the outdoors
• On the vine tomatoes are harvested while still attached to the cluster to trick them into thinking they are still attached to the plant and they continue to ripen.
• Ripening your tomatoes on the counter instead of the fridge will enhance their flavour and maintain their nutritional value.

Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV’s Noon News Hour!