For immediate release: 10 July 2006

Support For Farmers' Markets Means Stronger Rural Communities
Government Investment Helps Farmers' Markets Grow

Queen's Park - The McGuinty government is promoting prosperity in rural communities by supporting Farmers' Markets Ontario, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky announced today.

"Local farmers' markets create jobs and promote consumer spending in rural Ontario," said Dombrowsky. "Supporting the growth of farmers' markets is a wise investment in our rural communities."

The government is investing $270,000 over three years to help strengthen rural communities and help farmers' markets prosper. Today's announcement is the second installment of $90,000 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the province and Farmers' Markets Ontario.

"Our ongoing partnership with OMAFRA is very important to our success," said Robert Chorney, Executive Director of Farmers' Markets Ontario. "It gives us the resources we need to develop education and training programs for market vendors, to develop new farmers' markets and to assist existing operations with their rejuvenation or expansion plans."

Farmers' markets have a significant economic impact on Ontario's rural economy - more than $1.9 billion annually. More than 27,000 people in Ontario are directly involved in preparing and selling products at farmers' markets. And, with annual sales of more than $645 million, they provide an important economic link between local food suppliers, small processors and consumers.

Providing this assistance to Farmers' Markets Ontario is just one way the McGuinty government is on the side of families in rural Ontario. Other initiatives to support rural families and their communities include:

• Reducing the pressure on property taxes by picking up more of the tab for land ambulance and public health
• Exempting farmers from fees for water-taking permits
• Investing over $19 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.

Farmers' Markets Ontario represents approximately 125 local markets across Ontario, assisting them with start-up, vendor education and training and promotion.

"Over the last three years, farmers' markets in Ontario have grown at a rate of more than five per cent a year," said Dombrowsky. "The McGuinty government wants to see that growth and success continue."

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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072

Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198