About Guelph Wellington Local Food
A regional food system is important for personal health and wellbeing, economic development for the region and contributes to a healthy community and environment. Guelph-Wellington Local Food's (GWLF) mandate is to promote the procurement of local food by citizens and businesses. Guelph Wellington Local Food provides leadership through networking, promotion and events for local food businesses through the taste real brand.
The initiative and scope of our various projects continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of both local food producers, businesses and consumers in the region for enhanced capacity for local food. The initiative as a whole has evolved into a very successful and well established campaign to increase the appetite for local food as well as provide support that enables local food businesses and partnerships to grow.
Award-Winning Work
taste•real was recognized for its efforts and contribution toward developing our local food economy by the Economic Council of Ontario and was awarded the EDCO award in the Product Development - Strategic Plan Category. The award was presented at the Economic Council of Ontario's Conference in London in February. Read more about it here.
Our Project Staff and Coordinating Committee
Christina Mann
Program Coordinator
Christina joined Guelph Wellington Local Food in early 2010 and has been part of the Organizing Committee for all Local Food events since.
Growing up in rural Southern Germany provided Christina with a strong appreciation for good, locally produced food grown in a sustainable manner. She shares her family's passion for growing food, cooking and preserving the seasonal bounty.
After graduating from Hotel and Hospitality Management, Christina lived and worked in Germany, Spain and the UK. She brings with her extensive experience working in the Food Industry and Event Management.
Christina lives in Guelph with her husband and two kids and is passionate about making Local Food available for everyone.
Calantha Elsby
Communications and Events Assistant
Calantha is the newest member of the taste•real team, joining in April 2013 after volunteering with taste•real in various capacities throughout 2012.
She believes in playing the role of culinary and agri-tourist in your own backyard and is dedicated to helping promote Guelph and Wellington County's culinary and agricultural diversity.
Calantha thinks its important to know the story behind your food; she's passionate about sharing the many inspiring tales our local farmers and food producers have to tell. She brings to taste•real a diverse skillset, including skills in web and print design, food writing, and social media communications.
She currently lives in Elora where she is most well known for baking bread.
The taste real Guelph Wellington Local Food Steering Committee:
April Marshall - Township of Wellington North
Belinda Wick-Graham - Town of Minto
Deb Dalziel - Elora Fergus Tourism
Gerry Horst - OMAFRA
Jana Reichert - County of Wellington
Kate Vsetula - Guelph Community Health Centre
Mandy Jones - Town of Minto
Mark Kenny - University of Guelph - Hospitality Service
Stacey Dunnigan - City of Guelph Toursim
