At this time of year many people either forget, or don't realize, that they can find fresh local foods and beverages that are perfect for celebrating the Festive Season.

The Caledon Countryside Alliance has compiled a convenient Eat Local Caledon Holiday Directory which is designed to help you locate local foods and ingredients. 

This directory lists a number of local farms and small businesses that produce and/or sell popular holiday goods including: fresh baked goods, local fruits & vegetables, homemade jams & preserves, honey & maple syrup, Ontario cheeses, free-range turkeys and other meats, wine and hard and sweet ciders. 

It can even help you find the perfect Christmas Tree or Wreath for your home.
 

CLICK HERE to view the directory.

Buying your festive foods and supplies at these farms and small businesses will ensure that you find the freshest and highest quality foods available - not to mention supporting the local economy. It's a "win-win" scenario regardless of how you look at it.

Happy shopping!

The 2011 Caledon Farmers' Market Season ended on October 6th, but the season lives on! We will still be sharing recipes, letting you know about upcoming special events, 2012 Market vendor previews and other news on our Facebook Profile page.

There are literally thousands of excellent recipes that are "dusted off" at this time of year to help celebrate the season.

Christmas Wreath Cookies
 (Recipe & photo courtesy of Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
2. Add marshmallows and cook until melted, stirring constantly.
3. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the food colouring, vanilla extract and Corn Flakes - mixing well.
4. Quickly drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto waxed paper and form into wreath shapes with lightly greased fingers.
5. Immediately decorate with candies.
6. Allow to cool to room temperature before removing from waxed paper and storing in an air-tight container.

NOTE: The cinnamon candies are just a suggestion given their red colour. They can be substituted with smarties, jube-jubes, gummies or any of your favourites.

Ingredients:

NOTE: Pimientos to be too spicy or difficult to find? Substitute them with red peppers.

The Holiday Season is a time for celebration across many cultures around the world.

It is associated with feasts featuring special foods and beverages that typically aren't served throughout the rest of the year.

Given that the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is arguably the most culturally and ethnically diverse place in the world, it is fitting that we look at some of the traditional celebrations that take place at this time of year around the globe and throughout the GTA.

Click the names of each to be linked to a description.

Chanukkah (Start date varies from late-November to late-December)

Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

St Nicolas' Day (December 6 or 19)

A festival for children in many European Countries related to the legends of St. Nicolas - particularly his reputation as a bearer of gifts.

Yule (December 18, 21, 23, 24 or 25)

Initially a pagan religious festival celebrated by the historical Germanic people, it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas.

Winter Solstice (December 20 or 21)

Depending on the year, December 20 or 21 is the date where the Northern Hemisphere of the globe receives the least amount of daylight - commonly referred to as the shortest day of the year. It also marks the point where the days start to become longer and the nights shorter, until the Summer Solstice on June 21 or 22. Almost every culture around the globe has a tradition of marking and celebrating these annual events.

Christmas (December 25 or January 6, 7 or 19)

Celebrated by billions of people (Christian and secular) around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1)

A week long celebration (primarily in the United States) honoring universal African-American heritage and culture.

St. Stephen's Day (December 26, 27 or January 9)

A day of celebration and feasting commonly

observed by Eastern and Western European Christians to commemorate the martyrdom of St. Stephen.

Epiphany (January 2, 6, or 19)

A Christian day of celebration and feasting to mark the visitation of the baby Jesus by the Maji. Some cultures celebrate Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. Referred to by some as "Old Christmas Day".