We all know by now the importance of buying local food. It doesn't travel as far, which means less emissions than foods shipped from far-off lands. It also means supporting local farmers and helping them protect vanishing green space. And, of course, we get fresher produce. You know what else will thank you for supporting local farmers? Your taste buds. For me, there is nothing like biting into sweet, Ontario corn on the cob or a local, juicy peach. I forget what these delights taste like until summer rolls around and I'm pleasantly surprised by the variety of local flavours each time I visit the market. I just spent a nice, four day weekend with some family at a cottage in the Haliburton area. In order to make things easy, each couple was dedicated to preparing one day's worth of food (plus a happy hour drink). In celebration of a bountiful summer, everyone brought local, in-season fruits and vegetables to feast on. What flavours! We had wild blueberry pie; fresh, mouth-watering peaches atop yummy homemade crêpes (with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, of course); a delicious heirloom tomato salad; and sweet yellow plums to snack on. My happy hour drink was the Mill Street Wit beer. It has a hint of orange and coriander and is such a refreshing beer on a hot, summer afternoon. How have you been celebrating your local bounty? What sort of things have you been making with your local produce? Read more about enjoying local produce: Save our strawberries Tomato recipes for your local tomato harvest Local specialty foods