The Huronia Food Trail - What's in it for Kids

A child's adventure in food on the

The best of our child memories, the ones that shape us and stay with us forever include all 5 senses. Vacations we remember the clearest are ones where we can remember more than just what we saw. When travelling with kids, parents should remember this and while most kids like the usual suspects of vacation activities, it is also a fun idea to be a bit of a foodie when visiting new places, especially if parents have that interest as well.

There are many benefits to taking your children on the Huronia Food Trail when visiting the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay Townships. Children NEED to know where their food came from in order to appreciate and connect with it. It doesn't hurt that they meet the hardworking farmers who work 365 days a year to feed people. Farmers appreciate the love and are always happy to share their passion...and the work! Children will develop an appreciation for different foods, learn about  seasonality and connect with food in a healthy way that will stay with them for life.

The Huronia area is located on Georgian Bay and is rich in farm land growing some of Ontario's best produce, maple products and also raising some delicious well-cared for meats. The local food culture is strong and many restaurants support the movement giving visitors a great chance to try the local fare prepared by talented chefs.The commonality on the tour is local food passion. Anyone involved in this has a passion for what they do, whether they grow the food or cook and entertain with it. This infectuous passion is a great thing that will surely inspire a new generation of growers, chefs and restauranteurs.

~It's all in the FAMILY~

*Note the tour materials are bilingual, available also in French.

Photos and Tour Highlights:

The tour for us began at the town dock in Midland. Under a bright blue sky and beside beautiful calm waters we met Adriana, organizer of the Midland Farmers' and Artisans' Market. The market is large with over 60 ventors at an ideal location for a fun family outing. Kids will love the toy and kids fare artisans, some weeks there is live entertainment and the market is a quick jaunt to town docks to see boats, including the large passenger cruiser, the Miss Midland. There are samples to eat like honey, bbq sauce, baked goods as well as produce and meats. If you're renting a cottage in the area, this is a great place to pick up what you need for an entire local meal! Be sure to stop in front of the Tourism Information Centre and take your picture with the "Little TooT" boat.

From here, we took a long drive out to the country to the peaceful Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre. Yes, it is a quiet retreat centre and children are most welcome! Really the key here is simple, connecting with nature and kids have no problems with that. The buildings and grounds are breathtakingly beautiful, full of wildflowers, dragonflies and on this day, sunshine! The food is prepared on-site and is organic and local whenever possible.

Maple Butter! Sweet and smooth!

The restaurants on the tour are all child friendly and all offer local food on their menus. Most also sell or make use of other local fare like photography, art, flowers and more. Food adventurous kids will get to try foods like lamb, duck, elk - one stop even fed us pancakes with bacon IN them! A few of the shops, Ciboulette et Cie, Wendy B's Fine Foods, Midland Cultural Centre, Mad Micheal's BBQ and Bakery has prepared foods for take-home / cottage / boat.

Naturally made, with local ingredient - kids love them!

These family businesses would welcome the opportunity to share with your family what they do. The tour is full of learning and fun for kids and at the right time of year, I know every kid loves to eat a pint of berries right out of the container in the backseat. For this reason, it is doubtful you'll hear any complaining while taking your children on an adventure along the Huronia Food Trail.

It's Ready!

Come TASTE what the excitement is all about it. The tour will definitely bring out the kid in you!

Find the HURONIA FOOD TRAIL AT:

Web: http://www.huroniafoodtrail.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/huroniafoodtrail?fref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HuroniaFoodTrl

Karma Marketplace, Penetanguishene

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Happy Eating with your 'lil Locavores!