For Immediate Release
May 11, 2007

Ontario Government to Encourage Consumers to 'Buy Ontario'

Campaign To Promote Good, Fresh, Homegrown Food

PICTON - The Ontario government will be putting the spotlight on the fresh, high-quality foods grown and produced in the province this summer with a new 'Buy Ontario' marketing strategy, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, and Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Ernie Parsons, said today.

"If we all buy Ontario, everybody wins," said Minister Dombrowsky. "We're getting healthy fresh food from here at home and we're supporting our farmers, our rural economy and our environment."

Minister Dombrowsky joined MPP Parsons at The Waring House Restaurant and Inn to help promote the importance of supporting local communities and buying local products.

"Ontario's food producers - including those right here in Prince Edward-Hastings - grow, raise and make excellent food products, and we want people to know it," said Parsons. "They also make a tremendous contribution to our economy and our rural communities."

The government is contributing $12.5 million to the 'Buy Ontario' strategy, which includes a consumer awareness campaign designed to increase interest and demand for local foods across the province, expands the Foodland Ontario program to more fresh food products, and boosts the Savour Ontario program in fine and vacation dining establishments. Of the total, $2.5 million has already been distributed to a number of agri-food industry associations to assist them in promoting the sale of Ontario products.

"At The Waring House, we are proud of Prince Edward County's agricultural heritage and change our menu seasonally to feature the many wonderful foods produced and harvested here," said Marketing Manager, Ginny Merritt. "Our Executive Chef, Luis de Sousa, has created an array of dishes that demonstrates the originality and variety of our regional cuisine."

"We are especially pleased to bring forward this strategy on the 30th anniversary of the highly successful Foodland Ontario program," Dombrowsky added. "Everyone can participate in the 'Buy Ontario' campaign - from the agri-food industry to retailers to consumers - we all have a role to play."

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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342