There’s some screaming going on over at The Toronto Star with this week’s feature article on ice cream. Specifically, locally made stuff.

Local is also the message of Jennifer Bain’s article in which she investigates Foodland Ontario’s decision to promote local food with a older slogan (used originally from 1978 to 1986) - “Good things grow in Ontario.” It seems that, whatever the slogan, the message is getting out there:

There was talk of eating local to reduce our environmental footprints and help build urban-rural bridges. We were advised to watch for “signs and symbols” at supermarkets that will better identify lamb, veal and pork. We learned that the province’s Foodland Ontario is turning 30 and will now promote deli and fresh meats, dairy and baked goods on top of fruits and vegetables.

(Last year, 95 per cent of “principal grocery shoppers” recognized the Foodland Ontario symbol and 87 per cent showed “a propensity to purchase Ontario produce” – up from 86 per cent and 78 per cent, respectively, in 2005.)

Also in the Star, Josh Rubin looks at Dennison’s Weissbeir, Gordon Stimmell checks out ancient muscats (no, the grape, not the otter-like creature), Tamsyn Burgmann reviews Miga Korean and Japanese BBQ, and Suzanne Carere looks at blueberry juice in the Vice Squad column where she deftly skewers the marketing strategy of every juice company out there; “The reality is that scurvy just isn’t the problem it used to be. Most people get more than enough vitamin C each day. I wouldn’t use this as a reason to drink more juice.”

There’s also recipes for ricotta and tomato toast, portabellas with summer salsa, and ginger ice cream.

Over at The Globe and Mail, there’s a piece on BC Balsamic vinegar, and Alexandra Gill reviews a kid-oriented cafe that I’m going to assume is in Vancouver. based on the 604 area code. But hey, G&M, a bit more info next time, yes? Chef Vikram Vij discusses how ex-pat Indians have modified their recipes to accommodate North American ingredients such as fish. And Beppi Crosariol discusses proper temperatures for wine and how to achieve them.

It’s Canada Day weekend and The Sun wants us to celebrate all the culinary offerings our country has to offer… with a burger. Elizabeth Baird suggests putting up some strawberry jam this Canada Day weekend, because it’s red… like the maple leaf. Ah, well, at least it’s not that same old dead cow on a bun.