For release: October 4, 2004
Ontario Celebrates Agriculture Week
Buy Ontario Agricultural Products, Thank a Farmer
GUELPH - Today marks the beginning of Ontario Agriculture Week,
a time to celebrate Ontario's farmers and their contribution to the province's
economy, said Steve Peters, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
"It is important that we all take time to reflect on where our food
and agricultural products come from and recognize the hard work of our
farmers," said Peters. "To show our support for Ontario agriculture,
I encourage everyone to buy Ontario agricultural products and thank a
farmer."
The week leading up to Thanksgiving is celebrated as Ontario Agriculture
Week. This year it takes place between October 4 - 10, 2004.
Farmers and food processors throughout Ontario contribute
to a vibrant industry that generates $30 billion a year for the economy,
employs 650,000 people, and ships $8.4 billion in exports every year.
Ontario's food industry includes such sectors as cereal and flour, meat
and poultry, beverages, fruit and vegetables, dairy, feed, bakery, and
other food products.
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Contact:
Dave McLeod
OMAF Communications Branch
519-826-3198
BACKGROUNDER
ONTARIO AGRI-FOOD FACTS…….did you know?
More than 200 commodities are produced in Ontario including fruits, vegetables,
livestock, dairy, poultry, grains and oilseeds.
There are nearly 60,000 farms in Ontario and each farmer produces enough
food to feed 120 people every year!
Ontario's agri-food industry contributes more than $30 billion to the
provincial economy annually, and employs more than 650,000 people.
Approximately 1,700 food and beverage processors are located in Ontario
- almost half of all food and beverage processors in Canada.
Some 60 per cent of head offices of Canadian food and beverage processors
are located in Ontario.
Ontario leads the country in agri-food exports. In 2003, we shipped $8.4
billion in agri-food products around the world. Exports to the U.S. totaled
$7.2 billion in 2003.
Agriculture is more than food to eat. Cloth and textiles begin in the
barnyard as wool and in the field with hemp. Hemp, an experimental crop,
is also used to make paper and a variety of industrial products.
Growing flowers and ornamental plants - from roses to poinsettias --in
greenhouses is a thriving industry in Ontario. In 2003 the value of greenhouse
plant production was approximately $950 million.
Corn is processed into road de-icers, windshield washer fluid, ethanol
fuel, soap, toothpaste, paint, varnish and sparkplugs to name a few.
Show your support for Ontario's agri-food industry - Invite Ontario home
for dinner.
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