Ontario Market Investment Fund

The Government of Ontario is committed to working with farmers, industry and local food networks to help Ontario families get local Ontario food onto their kitchen tables.

The $12-million, four-year, Ontario Market Investment Fund was announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget and is targeted to promote consumer awareness of Ontario-produced foods and encourages Ontario to buy locally.

The Ontario Market Investment Fund will improve consumer access to locally produced foods by supporting industry and local food network marketing and coordination efforts.

Please click on the links below to access application materials for the Ontario Market Investment Fund.

Application and Supporting Documents

Application Guidebook (PDF Version - 247kb)

Application Form (Word Version - 233kb) (PDF Version - 56kb)

Sample of Funding Agreement (PDF version - 313kb)

Approved OMIF Projects

Across Ontario - * Denotes New Projects

* Ontario Fresh Chicken Campaign

The Chicken Farmers of Ontario is supporting its new 'Ontario Fresh Chicken' brand through an integrated campaign that includes partnering with retail chains for a multi-media promotion. The Province is contributing $100,000 to the project.

* Grocery Innovations

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers will provide food producers a chance to participate in the "Pick Ontario Freshness Buy Local" pavilion at the Grocery Innovations Canada trade show, which is running October 26-27, 2009 in Toronto. This pavilion will consist of 20 booths showcasing local producer and processor offerings to key grocery retailers. The Province is providing $54,000 to this project.

* Rooting for Root Vegetables

Earthfresh Foods Corporation plans to increase consumption of Ontario-grown root vegetables by building a strategic network of growers and creating a 'Best Ontario' brand. Potato, sweet potato, carrot and onion growers will also benefit from better access to the market. The Province is contributing $85,000 to this project.

* Health, Heart and Home Campaign for Apples

The Ontario Apple Growers will show people how buying apples is a nutritious and tasty way to support our farmers using a new media kit, a redesigned web site and special events such as providing Toronto elementary and high schools with 100,000 apples this fall for school nutrition programs. The Province is providing $93,650 to the project.

* 100 Mile Markets Ontario

After three years of research, Kitchener-based 100 Mile Markets is ready to bring its innovative methods to buying and distributing local food to institutional, food service and retail customers. The company will use a marketing campaign that includes a web portal, point of sale displays, vehicle signage, literature and samples. The Province is providing $100,000 for this project.

* Organic Meadow Co-operative

A media and marketing campaign will promote certified local organic milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese and eggs to Ontario consumers. The products, carrying the Foodland Ontario symbol, will be marketed through advertising, in-store sampling and consumer education. The Province is contributing $100,000 to the project.

* Culinary Tourism

The Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance is creating excitement for dining out on local food through an attractive and useful website highlighting up to 15,000 Ontario agri-food businesses; a meeting bringing together producers, food processors, distributors, restaurateurs, event organizers and more; and the first annual Culinary Tourism Awards. The Province is contributing $63,040 to the project.

* Soyfood Awareness

Soyfoods Canada is hoping to make market inroads in Ontario for its products with a multi-level marketing campaign. By partnering with the Ontario Soybean Growers, the organization hopes to raise consumer awareness of the advantages of soy products and how they can be incorporated into everyday menus. The Province is providing $86,500 to the project.

Ontario Berries

It will be easier to find fresh, Ontario-grown berries beyond the traditional growing season as the Ontario berry industry will be promoting their products to retailers through retail contests, media and trade events and advertising. In recent years Ontario farmers have extended the berry production season by adopting new technologies and introducing new varieties. The province is contributing $51,000 to this project.

Ontario Natural

'Ontario Natural' is a brand with which local consumers will become familiar in the future. The private label is being introduced by the Ontario Natural Food Co-op. The organization will develop a process to identify, evaluate, prioritize and plan for the 'Ontario Natural' line of food products and categories on behalf of the Ontario Natural Food Co-op customers and suppliers. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Growing the Tender Fruit Market

Fresh peaches, pears, plums, prunes, sweet and sour cherries will be front and centre this summer as a result of the Ontario Tender Fruit Marketing Board's efforts. Among the Board's planned activities are a new media campaign, including kits, farm visits and educational materials. The province is contributing $65,000 to the project.

Apple Awareness

The shine of publicity is on two new apple varieties this year. Ontarians will learn more about, and as a result be more inclined to buy, Honeycrisp and Ambrosia apples at farmers' markets, roadside stands and grocery stores. The Ontario Apple Marketers' Association wants to increase demand for the new fruit to keep pace with expected production increases and provide opportunities for future expansion. The province is contributing $50,000 to the project.

Ontario Pork Promotion

Putting more pork on people's forks is the focus of a project in which the Ontario Pork Producers' Marketing Board will raise awareness and sales of the product. The board will produce targeted consumer communications marketing materials, including easy-to-make recipes, identifying logos, and information for health care providers. The province is contributing $25,000 to the project.

Domestic Apple Market Development

The Ontario apple industry needs and wants to increase its efforts to promote its product.
During this project, a media awareness campaign will be developed and launched to raise the profile of Ontario apples. The campaign will include new media releases, the appointment of an Ontario chef to act as the official spokesperson for Ontario apples on radio and television and new apple recipes and photos for media to post on the Ontario Apple Growers' website. The province will provide $25,000 to the project.

The campaign is needed because apple production in Ontario has decreased steadily over the past 10 years from 14,164 hectares in 1995 to about 7,280 hectares today. Ontario's apple production and the returns to producers have also dropped due to a combination of competition from lower-priced imports and declining exchange rates.

Consumer Research, Education and Promotion of Fresh Ontario Mushrooms

The Canadian Mushroom Growers' Association /Mushrooms Canada, (Ontario) Promotions Task Force has developed a comprehensive Public Relations and Promotions strategy for the mushroom industry in Ontario. The purpose of the program is to "Move More Mushrooms", by making "Fresh Ontario Mushrooms" top-of-mind with Ontario consumers.

The industry has concentrated a great deal on making the best product possible through research and development. Now, growers recognize it is time to strengthen their marketing tactics. At the same time, food science and medical research have shown the many nutritional and wellness attributes of fresh mushrooms. Consumer concerns for healthy lifestyles, food safety, environment and disease prevention have increased. All of these trends support the need to promote fresh Ontario mushrooms.

Mushrooms Canada (Ontario) will capitalize on the use of:

• consumer research
• the internet
• regional consumer shows
• recipes
• consumer education
• strategic advertising, and
• media relations.

These tools will be used to promote the convenience, taste, versatility, nutrition and wellness attributes of fresh Ontario mushrooms. The primary targets for this strategy are the principal shoppers and consumers of mushrooms in Ontario. The province will provide $86,325 to the project.

Ontario's Finest Meat Products: Consumer and Retail Campaign

This project will include an Ontario-focused creative communications campaign to generate interest and support for processed meats. Activities include:

• a product competition using Ontario meat products
• product line development
• recipe development for outreach to consumers
• web-site development
• a calendar, and
• participation in trade shows.

This project builds on work previously conducted by the Ontario Independent Meat Processors to promote new product development. The province will provide $73,500 to the project.

FarmzOnWheelz

The FarmsOnWheelz project will engage young people to explore farming and food. FarmzOnWheelz will be a traveling exhibit moving across Ontario educating the public about modern agri-food technology and its economic impact in Ontario.

The Ontario Science Centre, recognized for its expertise in developing scientific, interactive and educational exhibits, will create, design, test and build the interactive components of this exhibit.

The province will provide $100,000 to the project.

Omega-3 Pork Marketing Strategy

The purpose of this project is to market the first Omega-3 pork raised in Ontario to the retail sector. Marketing the new product will entail differentiation, branding and building awareness through media outreach, direct from farm sales and retail sales.

Research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids prevent heart disease and arthritis and improve brain function. Pigs fed diets enhanced with flax yield meat with higher levels of these essential nutrients.

The province will provide $55,000 to the project.

"Nothing Tastes Like Home" Mobile Educational Trailer

This project will involve buying and outfitting a mobile kitchen trailer to market and promote "buying local" through cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities at industry, community and school events. The trailer will be identified with the Ontario Corn Fed Beef and Foodland Ontario logos.

This project will increase awareness and educate consumers about local foods and the benefits of buying local. The province will provide $60,000 to the project.

Local Menu - the Pickle Barrel

A new "local menu" for Pickle Barrel restaurants will be created using all locally grown ingredients. The new menu will be developed with author and healthy living expert Rose Reisman. Promotional and point of sale materials will also be developed to promote and raise awareness of the "Local Menu" to diners. The province will provide $54,456 to the project.

Hunger Relief - Growing Healthy Communities

More fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables will be going to people in need, thanks to the efforts of Farm Share Canada and the Ontario Association of Food Banks. The three-pronged project will: increase accessibility of Ontario produce at food banks in the Greater Toronto Area; research distribution logistics throughout the province; and educate food bank users about the valuable nutrition in Ontario fruits and vegetables. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Eastern Ontario

* On-line Shopping for Prescott-Russell Foods

Covenant Farm is developing a website allowing people to shop for Prescott-Russell food products from the convenience of their own homes. The website will help reduce distribution barriers by connecting consumers with local producers online. So far, 45 producers have signed up for the website. The Province is providing $77,400 to the project.

Local Foods, Local Chefs Initiative

Residents and visitors to the Kingston Public Market will enjoy a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and gourmet culinary experience thanks to the Local Foods Chefs Initiative. This project will coordinate business networking events to establish relationships between market vendors, local growers, processors, restaurants and commercial outlets in Frontenac County. The project will improve and expand the Kingston Market, increase the number of restaurants using local food and build the authenticity of culinary tourism in Kingston. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Growing New Farmers Initiative

ecoPerth is developing a new buy local initiative to help meet the growing demand for local food in the County of Lanark. The project will get youth involved in growing food, and encourage and enhance overall local food production and consumption. Promotions include expanding the Lanark Local Flavour website, coordinating farmer-to-business networking "meet and greets", developing two four-page newspaper ads featuring local agriculture and culinary tourism, and the printing and distribution of Lanark Local Flavour Guides. The province is contributing $20,000 to this project.

Proudly Northumberland @ Home

The County of Northumberland and the Burnham and Glover's Farm Markets are teaming up to increase consumer purchases of local food and increase awareness of the importance of agriculture to the local economy. Initiatives include fresh food preparation demonstrations held at each of the county's community markets using local and celebrity chefs. The province is contributing $12,500 to this project.

Water Buffalo Food Festival

The Water Buffalo Food Festival in the Municipality of Stirling-Rawdon will be bringing together local producers, suppliers and chefs to raise awareness of the production of cheese from water buffalo milk to local farmers and local culinary professionals. Several chefs will prepare meals with this cheese. Vendors of the Stirling-Rawdon seasonal farmers market will also be supplying chefs with their locally grown produce and meats. The province is contributing $3,300 to this project.

Sustainable Distribution Systems for Ottawa

Eastern Ontario’s organic farmers will be working together to better market their products as the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers (COG) connects organic farmers with local retail and institutional markets. The COG will also expand its existing farm tours to raise awareness of sustainable agriculture. The province is contributing $25,000 to this project.

Renfrew - Taste of the Valley

The County of Renfrew is heating up the Taste of the Valley this summer by sponsoring events in three towns - Barry's Bay, Arnprior and Cobden. At each location, local vendors will showcase their products to local consumers, food processors and retailers. The province is contributing $9,000 to the project.

Artisan Cheese

Fifth Town Artisan Cheese will encourage cheese lovers to visit Prince Edward County, the company's dairy and buy cheese from its store using promotional channels like a website, brochure and advertising. It will also conduct market research via social media channels. The province is contributing $39,025 to this project.

Kawartha Choice FarmFresh

People living in and visiting the Kawarthas will be better able to find and buy local foods thanks to a new campaign sponsored by the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation. The campaign includes a new website, area map, media ads and participation in local agricultural fairs. The province is contributing $40,000 to the project.

Harvest Hastings

Harvest Hastings is a three-year local food initiative by the Hastings Stewardship Council to continue expanding local food availability and sales in the region. The project will identify Hastings as a diverse and rich food producing region and to market the "Harvest Hastings" brand through labeling, agri-tourism and education.
Agriculture is the root of this largely rural county and many of its farmers want to combine their efforts under a regional banner so they can supplement traditional marketing channels. This project is aimed at increasing local demand and actively engaging people in the local food movement. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Building Momentum - Marketing, Training and Networking

Just Food, a local, non-profit organization with 1,200 members, will develop market opportunities, implement communication initiatives, invite new participation in trade events and roll out marketing and promotional materials through its participation in the Savour Ottawa project. The project will be carried out by a co-ordinator with direction and advice from the Savour Ottawa Steering Committee. The province is contributing $77,000 to this project.

CURD Festival - Market of Flavours

Prescott-Russell is the place to be this August, when the CURD Festival is expanded to include a wide variety of local food, beverages and crafts. Thirty local producers will be invited to set up booths and display their wares. The festival already attracts more than 20,000 visitors every year, and organizers are looking to increase that number - giving more people the opportunity to sample and buy the high-quality products that are grown and made in the region. The province is contributing $35,054 to the project.

Virtual Artisanal Cheese Research Centre

St. Lawrence College, along with other eastern Ontario colleges and partners envisions a collaborative network to create a "Virtual Artisanal Cheese Research Centre". Funding from the OMIF program will go toward a market study to guide the research and development of the centre.

The project will assess the market demand for eastern Ontario artisanal cheese, market demand, producers' learning needs and the ability of the college to meet these needs.

If the research warrants, the longer-term plan is to provide cheese producers with information and assistance agricultural extension from eastern Ontario colleges and agricultural associations to boost artisanal cheese making in the region.

Preliminary research strongly suggests college applied research and training can play a key role for increasing production capacity by increasing producers' technical, regulatory, and business know-how. The province will provide $20,000 to the project.

Local Flavours Expansion Project

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR) extends over roughly 2,700 square kilometres in the south eastern portion of Ontario. In 2007, the Rideau Canal, which runs through the heart of the biosphere, received a designation as a World Heritage Site from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The FABR mission is to encourage people to work together towards a more sustainable way of life.

Local Flavours was established in 2005 to promote the production and consumption of local foods by identifying local food producers, restaurants and retailers. There are currently 80 members in this local food network.

FABR proposes to expand the existing Local Flavours network so that it serves as a more effective communications and marketing tool for the members. FABR will hire a project co-ordinator to help create and promote a culinary taste trail which will showcase four seasons of regional cuisine. The province will provide $15,680 to the project.

Spring Forward - Good Things Grow in Prince Edward County!

Taste of the County will develop and execute a marketing campaign focused on promoting locally made food and beverage items including cheese, meat, maple syrup, jams, chocolate, crackers, wine and beer. The project builds on previous work undertaken to promote eastern Ontario foods, wine and tourism.

Among the activities are;

• Creating a new partnership with the Prince Edward County Wine Growers Association.
• Creating opportunities for cross-marketing with producers (i.e. Maple syrup, cheese makers, meat producers, brewers and restaurateurs).
• Increasing overnight stays associated with events promoting local foods and wines and encouraging return visits in the off-season.
• Increasing sales of local food and beverage items through a marketing campaign using print, radio, online, and trade shows.

The province will provide $100,000 to the project.

Western Ontario

* Buy Fresh at Norwich Farmers' Market

Norwich's farmers' market is attracting more customers with a new advertising and promotional campaign and a new part-time market co-ordinator. The Norwich Downtown Business Improvement Association is making sure the market is staying open for 24 weeks on Friday evenings using a 'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' campaign. The Province is contributing $5,000 to the project.

* Huron Perth "Farm-to-Table" Opportunities

The Huron Business Development Corporation is determined to make the most of the agriculturally-rich Huron-Perth area with a multi-layered strategy to increase demand for locally produced food. The project components include: building producer capacity, developing a plan for a business incubator kitchen, networking farmers' markets and creating a website that puts all the information about local food in one place. The Province is contributing $50,000 to the project.

* Stratford Garlic Festival

The festival was a great success this year with the help of an advertising and flyer campaign targeted the Orangeville, London, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area. The campaign helped draw out visitors to the event, held at the Stratford fair grounds, which offered cooking demonstrations, garlic braiding demonstrations, garlic crafts, and lots of information about the history and nutritional benefits of garlic. The Province provided $12,056 to the project.

Grown in Windsor-Essex

Visitors to Essex County’s restaurants and casino will soon be more likely to find Ontario-grown foods on the menu. The Windsor-Essex Development Commission and the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association are working together to promote the wide variety of locally grown foods to the community, boosting the local economy and providing consumers with safe quality products fresh from the field or greenhouse. The province is contributing $47,500 to this project.

Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map

If you’re looking for fresh produce in Chatham-Kent, you’ll be able to locate it quickly with the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map that will showcase the availability of local foods in the region. The map will be available free of charge at local municipal offices, libraries, events and sponsors and partners listed on the map. The province is contributing $9,275 to this project.

Finding Farm Fresh Products in Essex County

The Essex County Federation of Agriculture will develop, promote and distribute a “Buy Local” map to increase consumer awareness of the products available throughout the County. Through map distribution and a marketing strategy which includes advertising and signage, the Federation aims to create closer relationships between consumers and the County’s agricultural community. The province is contributing $21,000 to this project.

Harvests of Haldimand

The Harvests of Haldimand Local Food Guide and Culinary event will develop a network between food producers, retailers, restaurateurs and tourism-based businesses, to increase awareness of the health and environmental benefits of local foods and its role in stimulating local economic development for the county. The province is contributing $22,000 to this project.

Taste of Huron

The Huron Tourism Association will be showcasing the quality and quantity of food products produced in Huron County from August 24th to 30th this year. The "Taste of Huron" event will include dining and information sessions, educational programs for farmers, corn and pig roasts, farm tours, a gala dinner and much more. The province is contributing $20,500 to the project.

Guelph Culinary Taste Trail

The City of Guelph and the Guelph-Wellington Local Food Initiative are cooking up a terrific year in 2009 -10 in order to get more consumers buying local food and visiting local tourism attractions. The city is extending its 'Grow Guelph' brand to connect locally, sustainably produced food and tourism destinations under a culinary Taste Trail initiative. The province is contributing $79,500 to this project.

Organic Milk Marketing

Organic milk will be served in more Ontario homes as a result of a new awareness campaign comprising newspaper inserts, radio ads, brochures, website and trade show participation. Harmony Organic Dairy Products Inc. of Listowel is leading a marketing blitz to help increase the consumption of local, Ontario organic milk. The province is contributing $57,950 to the project.

Promoting Ontario Pickles

Ontario consumers will know more about the availability of Ontario pickles because of a new marketing co-ordinator, who will work with retailers, distributors and consumers through trade shows, in store sampling and other product promotions.
The goal of this project is to increase the demand for Ontario grown and processed vegetables through the whole food chain, increasing opportunities in the producing and processing sector. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Cooking with Ontario Vegetables

A recipe book highlighting Ontario greenhouse vegetables and nutritional information will be used as a consumer takeaway at events and in-store demonstrations. The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers want to increase domestic sales of these vegetables by making consumers aware of their availability and use. The province is contributing $48,500 to this project.

Essex Uncorked

Southshore Broadcasting Inc. is producing an ongoing 30-minute television series entitled "Essex Uncorked" featuring members of the South Western Ontario Vinters Association (S.W.O.V.A.). Each winery will be supplied with a DVD/CD for promotional and point of sale use to introduce and advertise the "Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island" label to local consumers and visitors. Each program in the series will profile local wineries with local food growers, processors, retailers and restaurants; provide a short segment on wine appreciation; and the winery's products and services, location, facilities and vineyards. The television series will be broadcast between July and September 2009 with re-broadcasts in October and December 2009. The province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

Niagara Culinary Trail

The project, sponsored by Niagara Environmental Food Alliance, will build on the foundation and momentum of the 2008 Niagara Culinary Trail map and website. A new companion brochure will also be developed that highlights Trail participants. The new map and brochure, with a larger distribution area, will strengthen the "Buy Local" message in Niagara and will accommodate additional participation so that more local businesses benefit from the project. The province is contributing $85,000 to this project.

Bountiful Brant Local Produce Map

Finding fresh local food in Brant will be easier with a new map and website. The Brant County Federation of Agriculture has teamed up with the County of Brant and Wilfrid Laurier University to develop a site which will include recipes, a local event calendar, and other marketing and tourism information. The local group "Bounty of Brant" will also host culinary tourism activities and boost local food marketing efforts. The province is contributing $45,000 to the project.

Sip & Savour Ontario

Great Ontario wines matched with high-quality Ontario food is a winning combination. Just ask the people who sponsor the Ontario Wine Awards and sip and Savour event. The celebration joins together vintners, farmers, chefs, restaurateurs and consumers from across Ontario to mark the importance of the various wine and food-related industries in Ontario. Last year, 250 industry representatives and 450 consumers attended the event. It is extensively promoted throughout the GTA in electronic and print media, radio, posters, interviews, websites and other events. The province is contributing $100,000 to the event this year.

Market Expansion of Ontario Table Grapes

The luscious Coronation grape is sweet, blue-purple and not very well known. A focused marketing campaign by the Fresh Grape Growers' Marketing Board will change that by increasing awareness and sales of the new table grape variety through consumer and retail promotions. The province is contributing $40,000 to the project.

Savour Stratford

Stratford is best-known for great Shakespearean productions, but it also produces great food. The Perth County Visitors' Association is leading a project to promote the entire area as a prime culinary destination. The project will bring together farmers, restaurateurs and other tourism destinations in a comprehensive strategy to promote the area's high-quality dining opportunities to visitors and businesses. The province is contributing $89,325 to the project.

Central Ontario

* Ontario Artisan Share

Savour The Flavour is expanding its Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program to include products like jam, flour, meat and cheese. CSA allows consumers to pay farmers at the beginning of the season for fresh fruits and vegetables they will receive throughout the growing season. Under the expanded program, these additional food products will be delivered directly to corporate customers and restaurants, while retail customers will be able to pick up their boxes at Culinarium, a Toronto food store dedicated to selling local Ontario products. The Province is contributing close to $25,000 to this project.

* GTA Advertising Initiative - Local Natural Products

Life Choices Natural Foods will reach out to consumers through radio advertising and in-store samplings to show the benefits of its locally-based products. The company uses local ingredients and local manufacturers to make cookies, pizzas, breaded chicken, perogies and more. The Province is providing $37,600 to the project.

* Promoting Ontario Ginseng

The Ontario Ginseng Growers' organization is reaching out to consumers in the Golden Horseshoe with a campaign touting the many benefits of their homegrown products. An "Ontario Ginseng" labeling and advertising program will brand the local product and make it distinctive from the imports, which currently take up 50 per cent of the market. The Province is contributing $100,000 to this project.

* More Ontario Meat

Newmarket Meat Packers Limited is producing a DVD, creating a website and participating in trade events to help increase production of local sheep, goat and lamb meat. The company hopes the campaign will increase current flocks and encourage new entrants to the industry. The Province is providing $72,500 for this projec

Know Where Your Food Comes From

The Corporation of Norfolk County, the Norfolk County Agricultural Society and more than 50 agriculture and 150 tourism marketing partners across Norfolk County are working together to help establish this area as an agri-tourism and culinary tourism destination. This three year project will help spur economic activities through buy local initiatives, including developing culinary workshops, local food promotional campaigns, coordinating market exhibits and events, hosting Ontario's largest fair and FlavourFest, conducting an Agri-Food and Agri-Tourism gap analysis, and developing a wholesale food sales marketing plan and an institutional local food plan. The province is contributing $100,000.

Local Summer in the City

The Turkey Farmers of Ontario's Local Summer in the City culinary event will be promoting Ontario turkey at four restaurants in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. The Charcoal Group of restaurants (Wildcraft, Charcoal, del Donte and Martinis) will provide 10,000 diners per week an opportunity to experience Ontario turkey. Six Ontario recipes will be developed, and marketing for the event will include flyers, e-mails and promotional information on the website. The province is contributing $4,000 to this project.

Caledon Farmers' Market

Residents and visitors of the Caledon Farmers' Market can help "Take a Bite out of Climate Change" thanks to a new project by the Town of Caledon and Caledon Countryside Alliance. This project provides an outlet for vendors to sell their produce, grow Caledon's local food network, encourage the promotion of Ontario foods and build greater awareness of what is grown in Caledon. This project includes a series of on-going demonstrations and workshops, special events promotions and a marketing strategy. The province is contributing $12,200 to this project.

Farmers Fields Growers Collective

The Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers will be connecting organic farmers with the local retail and institutional markets to raise awareness of the local distribution system available for organic farmers. The project includes hiring a new project coordinator , creating educational material to increase consumer awareness, developing an online market website and expanding farms tours to retail staff. The province is contributing $43,400 to this project.

Honey Trailer

A new food trail map will showcase where local food can be purchased and restaurants that serve local products in Bruce County. Anderkin Foods Inc. and the Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association are also purchasing and outfitting a mobile trailer promoting local culinary fare and Ontario honey products, and delivering information on local foods and honey production at markets, fairs and trade shows. The province is contributing $16,576 to this project.

Artisan Cheese Marketplace and Tasting Event

It was a fine wine and cheese event that brought 12 Ontario artisan cheese makers together with more than 500 guests at Hart House, University of Toronto on April 28, 2009. Guests were treated to sample and buy some of the best cheese in the province, as well as learn about the products, how they're made, and where they can be bought. The Ontario Cheese Society used a $3,500 contribution from the province to co-ordinate, market and advertise the event.

Savour Muskoka

The members of Savour Muskoka are lining up a tasty summer with eight major culinary events highlighting local farms, chefs and culinary artisans focused on local food. Promotions will include a culinary trail map highlighting farms, restaurants, retail outlets and more. The province is contributing $50,000 to this project.

Newmarket Main Street Farmers' Market

Local residents will be hearing a lot more about the Newmarket Main Street Farmers' Market with a fresh media campaign using local newspapers, radio and website to showcase local products produced and sold in the region. The market is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season. The province is contributing $5,000 to the project.

Local Foods Plus Research

Finding consumers' appetite for supporting Ontario farmers by purchasing local food produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner is the focus of this project. Using polls and focus groups, Local Food Plus will also find out what messages and campaign tools would resonate with people, prompting them to buy local. The province is contributing $20,000 to this project.

Feasting with Ontario Food and Beer

The Brewer's Plate is a local, sustainable spring feast that celebrates independent brewers, chefs and food artisans. Started in 2008, this event matched six local chefs who are champions of slow food and local ingredients with six local craft brewers to create a remarkable feast. It attracted 400 guests. Green Enterprise Toronto will use $21,473 from the province to help promote and host the feast in 2009.

Simcoe County Farm Guide

A Farm Fresh Buy Local guide map indicates the availability of local food and where to find it in Simcoe County. The project, sponsored by Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association, will include the map's design, printing and distribution through community-owned newspapers, community partners and members. The audience is big and growing - the county has 18 municipalities, including Barrie and Wasaga Beach, which have been declared the fastest growing communities in Canada. The province is providing $9,000 for this project.

Ethnic Food in the GTA

A research project in the Greater Toronto Area will help farmers determine what ethnic foods are in demand, and how to grow them. The University of Guelph is collaborating with the Toronto Food Policy Council to determine demand in 34 ethnic groups in the area. Strategic research trials will also be planned for these food crops to determine their adaptability to Ontario conditions, and to determine appropriate production techniques. The province is contributing $55,500 to this project.

Local Food Web Project

Making food connections is the focus of this project led by the Toronto Environmental Alliance. A web-based information portal will be built to help connect Toronto area growers, distributors, food service providers and others who grow or purchase local food. The site will also contain how-to guides, case studies, sample Request-for-Proposals, contracts and success stories. The province is contributing $75,000 to this project.

Centre Wellington Agri-Culinary Project 2009

The Township of Centre Wellington proposes to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy which would position the Elora and Fergus area as a major agri-culinary tourist destination reflecting local agricultural suppliers, producers and retailers. Under the direction of a working committee made up of stakeholder representatives of local festivals, restaurants, retailers and producers, a project co-ordinator will be directed to complete the work plan and achieve the operational, marketing and educational objectives of the project. Activities include:

• researching and developing inventories of local businesses;
• developing and implementing a marketing strategy and plan, including a new website; and
• arranging for and managing trade show participation at local festivals.

The province will provide $98,500 to the project.

Guelph Community Health Centre

The Guelph Wellington Local Food Initiative (GWLFI) is being developed to continue the growth of local food availability and consumption within the region. This project intends to:

• increase demand, availability and consumption of local food by hiring a project co-ordinator
• create an integrated marketing and communications campaign
• expand existing programs, and
• engage in market research to explore new market opportunities.

The province will provide $56,250 to the project.

Grey/Bruce Local Food Project

This local food project is designed to help farmers and buyers identify and break down barriers to growing the local food supply. The project will include three major areas:

• Support for new and existing growers to encourage the start-up of new small scale 'green grocers' (defined as fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables) into the local food market. A case study will be done to show viability of the market for small scale 'green grocer' farmers at local farmers' markets.
• A case study of restaurant and institutional food users to create synergies between suppliers and restaurants. This model will be presented to participants at the Grey/Bruce Food Summit.
• A Grey/Bruce Food Summit to be held to distribute the information collected from the other programs and to further encourage networking between suppliers and buyers.

This project will encourage new and existing growers to participate in the local food market, and to demonstrate that using local food is a viable option for local institutions and restaurants. The province will provide $34,500 to the project.

Brand and Market Holland Marsh Farm Products

The Holland Marsh Growers' Association will develop a branding and marketing strategy for products grown in the Holland Marsh. The brand, "Holland Marsh Gold" will be developed by the association in partnership with local marsh processing and packaging plants. The association will work with Local Foods Plus, a non-profit organization that brings farmers and consumers together to share in the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible food production. Following the creation and branding of the logo, the first promotional campaign will be a consumer awareness initiative of the benefits of high quality products of the marsh.

The province will provide $75,000 to the project.

Mapleton's Organic Dairy Links with Ontario Shoppers

Mapleton's Organic Dairy will conduct 65 product sampling/demonstration sessions of its yogurt and ice cream in Ontario retail stores (45 Sobeys, 20 independent). At each product sampling, consumer flyers will be distributed and consumers will be invited invitations to visit the farm with their family to better understand where their food comes from and how it can be produced will be distributed. This project is intended to be the first step towards building awareness and support of Ontario farmers and their products and encouraging people to buy locally.

The province will provide $7,000 to the project.

Northern Ontario

Marketing and Education Campaign for Greater Sudbury and Area

Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative Inc., along with the Greater Sudbury Restaurant and Foodservice Association and the National Farmers' Union Ontario North will be reaching out to northern Ontarians about the availability of local foods through a new marketing and education campaign. This campaign includes educational materials about where to buy local food products, a "Meet Your Farmer" tasting event, a comprehensive list of local farms for the foodservice industry, promotion of the Eat Local Sudbury Co-op store and enhancements to the Eat Local Sudbury website. The province is contributing $26,552.

First Nation Greenhouse Research

Fresh vegetables will be available more readily to northern Ontario residents thanks to a project being conducted by the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation. Participants are building a small scale commercial greenhouse and the project is aimed at: securing agreements for cost effective freight charges to distribute the vegetables throughout the north; setting up a distribution network; getting grocery retailers to commit to carrying the produce on their shelves; and conducting research on consumer preferences for local food. The province is contributing $34,250 to the project.