A project of Environment Hamilton and Faith & the Common Good, the event was a reminder of the call to protect and honour the Earth and the bounty it produces — a call that resounds across all faiths and religions worldwide. The relationship between food and the sacred is recognized in many philosophies.

"Currently, our eating practices cause environmental degradation, destroy habitat and livelihood and cause untold suffering to animals,” said Rebecca Birtch, one of the event’s key organizers. “Water, air and land are polluted because of the way we do business as usual.

“Today, in a time where the decisions we make about how we relate to and treat the Earth and the life on it will impact directly and inexorably the future well-being of our planet. Eating locally produced food is a significant step in the right direction.”

Over pancakes, sausages, muffins and blueberries, participants were made aware of the hunger that resides in the very heart of our community and the measures that are being taken by some local groups to help alleviate a worsening situation.

Bill Wilcox of West Highland Baptist Church demonstrated that growing a beautiful vegetable garden on church grounds and giving the produce to the hungry is a good use of space. He challenged others to do the same.

Karen Burson spoke eloquently about the need for healthy food for children to grow properly; Environment Hamilton's eat local project is involved with building effective and equitable food systems through institutional purchasing.

Tapestry Bistro's Sam Robertson impressed upon the audience Hamilton's amazing amount of resources already in place for procuring locally grown food.

Don Mclean of Environment Hamilton, who wrapped up the event said we must get to a level of greenhouse gases that provide safety for the planet.

Mr. Mclean's invitation for participants to join the worldwide Day of Climate Action on Oct. 24 —an event that is part of the 350.org campaign to get levels of carbon in the atmosphere down to a safe level of 350 parts per millions — was also a call to action to all attendees.

For more information about the 350.org campaign and Hamilton's involvement, call Environment Hamilton at 905-549-0900.