Going green in London
“Why shop Green”? It's simple: locally produced foods travel less from the field to your plate, organic foods contain no pesticides, hormones or genetically modified organisms, and enviro-friendly products are less damaging and more sustainable to our eco-systems. Whether you're new or native to London, finding all the best places to go shopping while being ecologically aware can be difficult. This where-to-go guide will help you find everything you need.
If you haven't been to Covent Garden Market, make it your first stop. Conveniently located downtown (130 King Street), it is accessible by almost every bus in the city. This is your one-stop shop for all things organic, local and environmentally friendly.
Field Gate Organics, located in the Market, is the best place to get all your fresh, local, certified organic meats and dairy products. You'll feel good knowing that you aren't ingesting hormones, antibiotics, or anything else that doesn't come naturally. If that doesn't chipper-you-up, the friendly staff are sure to brighten your day.
Homeopathy has recently moved into the market from its former location in Market Tower. With a newly expanded selection, you can find all your vitamins, personal hygiene products and household cleaners here, as well as a growing selection of non-perishable foods. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Environmental Choice label to guarantee you are getting the most sustainable products available. If there is anything you are unsure of, ask the very knowledgeable staff.
For your five-to-ten servings a day of fruit and veggies, you will want to browse around the market for your organic produce. Field Gate and Havaris Produce both have selections of organic produce. If you happen to be there on a Thursday or Saturday, pay a visit to the local outdoor farmer's market. if it's not certified organic, be sure to ask the vendor if they practice sustainable farming.
Saturdays there is also a farmer's market at the Western Fair Grounds from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Variety and great prices make this an excellent place to shop. Although their organic selection is limited, most of the vendors provide fresh lo cal foods.
If you're living in residence and don't want to make the trip downtown, Lyn-Dys Health Food (1016 Oxford Street East) is a five-minute ride down Oxford Street. It may look tiny from the outside, but they have crammed it with goodies on the inside. Fresh produce, dairy, bulk grains, non-perishable goods, household cleaners, hygiene products, supplements and vitamins can all be found here.
London Food Co-Op at the corner of Adelaide and Princess is another place you will want to check out. Operated as a non-profit natural food cooperative, you own a share and pay weekly fees to shop there. They have everything a grocery store would carry, but in natural and organic brands.The major benefit of a non-profit Co-Op is the mark-up is only to cover basic expenses of operating the store. Go for a trial shop and attend an orientation to decide for yourself if the Co-op is for you.
If you have never tried shopping “Green” before, these trusted local retailers will help you on your path to eco-friendliness. Keep your eyes open over the next several weeks for the Fanshawe Green Club booth for a raffle to win a gift bag full of “Green” goodies from some of these independent retailers.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
If you haven't been to Covent Garden Market, make it your first stop. Conveniently located downtown (130 King Street), it is accessible by almost every bus in the city. This is your one-stop shop for all things organic, local and environmentally friendly.
Field Gate Organics, located in the Market, is the best place to get all your fresh, local, certified organic meats and dairy products. You'll feel good knowing that you aren't ingesting hormones, antibiotics, or anything else that doesn't come naturally. If that doesn't chipper-you-up, the friendly staff are sure to brighten your day.
Homeopathy has recently moved into the market from its former location in Market Tower. With a newly expanded selection, you can find all your vitamins, personal hygiene products and household cleaners here, as well as a growing selection of non-perishable foods. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Environmental Choice label to guarantee you are getting the most sustainable products available. If there is anything you are unsure of, ask the very knowledgeable staff.
For your five-to-ten servings a day of fruit and veggies, you will want to browse around the market for your organic produce. Field Gate and Havaris Produce both have selections of organic produce. If you happen to be there on a Thursday or Saturday, pay a visit to the local outdoor farmer's market. if it's not certified organic, be sure to ask the vendor if they practice sustainable farming.
Saturdays there is also a farmer's market at the Western Fair Grounds from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Variety and great prices make this an excellent place to shop. Although their organic selection is limited, most of the vendors provide fresh lo cal foods.
If you're living in residence and don't want to make the trip downtown, Lyn-Dys Health Food (1016 Oxford Street East) is a five-minute ride down Oxford Street. It may look tiny from the outside, but they have crammed it with goodies on the inside. Fresh produce, dairy, bulk grains, non-perishable goods, household cleaners, hygiene products, supplements and vitamins can all be found here.
London Food Co-Op at the corner of Adelaide and Princess is another place you will want to check out. Operated as a non-profit natural food cooperative, you own a share and pay weekly fees to shop there. They have everything a grocery store would carry, but in natural and organic brands.The major benefit of a non-profit Co-Op is the mark-up is only to cover basic expenses of operating the store. Go for a trial shop and attend an orientation to decide for yourself if the Co-op is for you.
If you have never tried shopping “Green” before, these trusted local retailers will help you on your path to eco-friendliness. Keep your eyes open over the next several weeks for the Fanshawe Green Club booth for a raffle to win a gift bag full of “Green” goodies from some of these independent retailers.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
