Agri-food Organizations and Businesses keep Ontario’s Local Food Sector Strong
June 7, 2021
WOODSTOCK – It is Local Food Week in Ontario and the government is celebrating with the release of the 2021Local Food Report, highlighting agri-food organizations and businesses that promote local food literacy within their communities.
The 2021 Local Food Report provides an opportunity to highlight local farmers who are the heart and soul of the goods things that grow in Ontario, as well as increasing local food awareness across the province. Ontario Agri-food entrepreneurs and businesses are producing, preparing and showcasing the local products they bring to market online and in stores.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us just how critical local food is to our province,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Our agri-food sector has kept grocery store shelves full over the past year and Ontarians have become more aware of the role farmers play in our daily lives and to our economy.”
Being able to spot Ontario products through the Foodland logo or brand recognition is providing Ontarians the opportunity to support local, chose local, and eat local. The Ontario government aims to increase the number of Ontarians who know what local foods are available, how and where to obtain them. This includes encouraging broader public sector institutions from daycares and schools to hospitals and long-term care residences to source and prepare local food.
This year’s report highlights important organizations like the Six Nations Health Services, located on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Serving approximately 25,000 band members, the Six Nations Health Services plans, develops and delivers a holistic system to address the effects of related conditions on the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aspects of the individual and family. This includes increasing access and awareness of traditional foods and food ways by embedding culture as the foundation in their work to promote well-being. Read the full story in the 2021Local Food Report.
“Six Nations Health Services is a Regional leader in healthy food promotion” said Will Bouma MPP for Brantford-Brant. “I am pleased that we have a local organization that not only focuses on healthy food, but also the healthy emotional and spiritual aspects for the benefit of the entire community”.
Ontario is home to nearly 49,600 farms and 4,400 food processing facilities that contribute over $47 billion to the provincial GDP, making the agri-food sector a key economic driver of Ontario’s economy. Now more than ever, buying and supporting local food creates jobs and economic growth in communities across the province.
Quick facts
- Ontario celebrates Local Food Week annually during the first week in June.
- The Local Food Report is a cornerstone of Local Food Week in Ontario.
- To learn more about Ontario’s local food system, please visit our website.
- For more than 40 years, Foodland Ontario has helped consumers identify and purchase all the good things that are grown and made in Ontario.
- Ontario’s agri-food e-business interactive map has more than 650 agri-food businesses that consumers can choose to buy local from.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Ontario.ca/agriculture-news
Disponible en français
Avi Yufest, Minister’s Office
avi.yufest@ontario.ca
Christa Roettele, Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca 519-826-3145