Food, for me, is all about time and place. The memories of my childhood drive my love of food, and the intrinsic processes surround preparation, and mostly the enjoyment. I like to feed, eat, and just be around food and the people who love it. Recently I was approached to embark on a unique food experience, along with fellow food blogger, and generally fabulous person, Alexa Clark. Lex and I are going to be a part of Longo's new Taste Ontario Ambassador Program, and I am very excited about this opportunity. 

Here is the breakdown in the words of the fine folks at Longos:

Longo’s is pleased to announce its new Taste Ontario Ambassador Program.  The goal of the ambassador initiative is to showcase Longo’s leadership in fresh and local food by developing an integrated program that builds awareness of Longo’s best quality, selection and variety of fresh foods from Ontario. Toronto based foodies, Alexa Clark and Joel Solish have been selected to launch this exciting initiative.  Alexa and Joel both have a passion for local food and are well known, knowledgeable and respected bloggers within the Toronto and Canadian food circuit.

So, why did I choose to do this? Longos is a Canadian, family-owned company, where my family has shopped at for decades. Lex wrote a great post as a part of the program launch, and before continuing I would love if you would read her post. She outlines perfectly what we are getting into, and talks about our personal promise of transparency. Yes, we are being compensated, but no, we are not being hired to write unobjectively. We are just providing our opinions and perspective. If we dislike something, and I hope we do not, you will hear about it. What I hope to show you is that Longo's is one of the good guys. We all need to go to a grocery store at some point in a normal month, so at least we can support business that are supportive of our local economies and farmers (you know this is VERY important to me, personally). 

"Longo's is eager to share some of the stories that have come from our long relationship with Ontario farmers and providers, and there's no better way to do this than to invite our new Longo's Taste Ontario Ambassadors to have an insider view, and have them share their experiences with you." 

Here is Lex's post:

http://www.unsweetened.ca/unsweetened/2011/08/foodie-adventure-longos-taste-ontario-ambassador.html

I have lot's of great ideas and have already been doing market research, and was at one of Longo's stores yesterday picking up a few items, and having nice chats with the very knowledgable staff. I look forward to bringing everyone on this journey with me, and I welcome any and all questions. If anyone wants to come on a shopping excursion, just let me know, I would love it.