Canada's Strawberry Capitol: Eat, drink and buy local

Photo: (CNW Group/Norfolk County)_

Norfolk County is Canada's leading grower of strawberries. 

New ever-bearing varieties allow farmers to grow the fruit until fall frost.

NORFOLK COUNTY, Ontario, June 8, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Norfolk County is Canada's leading grower of strawberries, and this small community on Lake Erie is asking you to eat, drink and buy local.

About 35 farmers grow 500 acres of strawberries in Norfolk County. From Strawberry Lager to Strawberry Fest, the people of Norfolk County celebrate this sweet fruit in a variety of ways.

Farms hold open house events. Wineries serve strawberry sangria tastings. Restaurants include fresh strawberries on their menus. People can also pick their own strawberries and enjoy them with ice cream.

"We just celebrated Local Food Week but, in Norfolk County, we grow food all year – not just for one week, so we challenge Canadians to keep buying local all summer long," said Clark Hoskin, Manager of Tourism & Economic Development for Norfolk County.

This spring, the strawberry has become a symbol of labour strife in Mexico, where workers have protested low wages and poor conditions.

"Not only do Norfolk County strawberries taste better, but the people who pick them in Canada receive a fair wage," said Norfolk County Mayor Charlie Luke. "Buying only Canadian strawberries for the rest of the summer would be a very friendly gesture to our farmers and their workers."

To learn more, visit www.norfolktourism.ca/strawberry-capitol or call 1-800-699-9038 for a Norfolk County Guide/Map.

SOURCE Norfolk County